Guests of the III International Exhibition of Calligraphy in Veliky Novgorod will see a new monument of XXI century art

A new art monument, the Golden Quran, will be demonstrated as part of the III International Exhibition of Calligraphy, to be held in Velikiy Novgorod, at Yaroslav's Court from September 10 till September 12, 2010.

A page from the Golden Quran

In 2009 the Golden Quran was exhibited within the framework of the II International Exhibition of Calligraphy on the territory of Sokolniki Museum-Educational Complex in Moscow. Famous fine art experts, art dealers, journalists came over to contemplate the unique masterpiece.

The famous journalist Mikhail Parfyonov admires the Golden Quran

The only and exact copy of the most ancient Islamic manuscript dating back to the VIII century – the Quran of Uthman is made of Au 999 gold at the Moscow Mint of the Ministry of Finance of Russia in 2006 by request of WT company. “The Golden Quran” consists of 163 plates according to the number of pages of the original. It took the Moscow Mint a year and a half to make the copy. This work of art is of the highest museum quality and has no analogues in the world. The world’s most ancient manuscript is the property of the Russian Federation kept in St. Petersburg Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In Moscow the Golden Quran was demonstrated for one time only in the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in 2007. Some pages of the Golden Quran were exhibited at the international shows in Iran (2007), Bahrain (2008), Libya (2008), Russia (2009), Egypt (2010). The Golden Quran was awarded with many diplomas by different institutions, including the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation.

His Holiness Alexis II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia wrote that “presentation of copies of the ancient Quran manuscripts to the leaders of Muslim states will contribute to improvement of friendly relations between our nations”.

Thus, in March 2009 a golden copy of one page of the most ancient manuscripts dating back to the VIII century was presented to Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia. The gift was presented by Veniamin Popov, Ambassador and Director of the Centre of Partnership and Civilizations. Mr. Avdeyev, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation was present at this event at the Royal Palace ArRiyadh.

The Ceremony in the Royal Palace ArRiyadh

“The Golden Quran is a unique piece of art and a symbol of Russia’s respect for all peoples practicing Islam and its values. It is aimed at rapprochement of people of various nationalities and confessions in Russia and all across the world.”
Director of the State Hermitage, M. Piotrovsky

“The Golden Quran is a new cultural heritage of the XXI century and a universal piece of heritage of the human race.”
I. Antonova, Director of the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

“We are proud of the fact that Russia preserved the ancient manuscript of the Quran for the humanity. The Russian craftsmen managed to reproduce the holy wording in the noble metal that will keep it forever.”
A. Saltanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Source: International Exhibition of Calligraphy