The Tsars and the East

Benefit Gala

Freer Gallery of Art | Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
May 7, 2009
This year’s gala celebration of The Tsars and the East: Gifts from Turkey and Iran in The Moscow Kremlin proved to be an inspiring evening of art and diplomacy. Welcoming remarks by His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, reminded those in attendance of the timeless value of artistic and cultural exchange. Guests enjoyed cocktails and a private tour of the exhibition before dining at tables dressed in deep blue and gold in the elegant Freer Gallery of Art.

The Tsars and the East: Gifts from Turkey and Iran in The Moscow Kremlin is presented with the High Patronage of His Excellency Dmitry A. Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation.

The following guests of honor attended the gala:

His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
His Excellency Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation
The Honorable John Beyrle, American Ambassador to the Russian Federation
The Honorable John McCain, United States Senator from Arizona

Honorary Committee

Chairs
His Excellency Nabi Şensoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey
His Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation

Vagit Alekperov, President, Lukoil
Dr. Elena Gagarina, General Director, The Moscow Kremlin Museums
Sergio Millian, President, Russian-American Chamber of Commerce in the USA
Ed Verona, President and CEO, U.S.-Russia Business Council