Hermitage masterpieces will be presented at the International Buddhist Forum in Buryatia

Buddhist architectural decorations from the Hermitage will be exhibited for the first time in Buryatia as part of the II International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges”, which will be held in Ulan-Ude from August 12 to 14.

– On the territory of modern Buryatia in the 13th century, Genghis Khan created a city called Kondui, and a khan’s palace was built, which was richly decorated. We will bring architectural decorations that have survived to this day and are stored in the funds of the State Hermitage and will exhibit them for the first time in our republic. “I think it will be very interesting,” said Irina Dorzhieva, deputy head of the administration of the head of Buryatia and the government of the republic for information policy, public relations and public projects, at a press conference at the press center of the international media group “Russia Today”.

Tsarevich Nicholas II visited Buryatia in 1891, where he received many products from Buryat craftsmen as a gift: Buddhist silver sculptures, altar decorations and other valuables. They will also be exhibited for the first time in Buryatia at the forum.

In addition, among the exhibits at the exhibition there will be a cast iron sculpture of the Buddha of Longevity, made at the Petrovsky Plant, scientific publications of the Institute of Mongolian Studies, Buddhist Studies and Tibetology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Atlas of Tibetan Medicine.

The first International Buddhist Forum “Traditional Buddhism and modern challenges” was held in Buryatia on August 17-19, 2023. It brought together more than 600 representatives of various government and scientific and educational institutions, religious organizations and associations, including from 13 foreign countries – China, India, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Laos, Bhutan, Cambodia, Republic of Belarus.

The forum is organized by the government of the Republic of Buryatia, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research, the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia with the support of the President of Russia, the Russian government and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.