Past Beauty Will Aid Future Diplomacy

Henceforth the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine can vie with Louvre. Its renovated main entrance will be adorned by a replica of the Venus de Milo donated by the government of the Greek Republic, the original of which is exhibited at the famous French museum. Last Tuesday the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to Ukraine Dimitris Contoumas delivered the statue on behalf of his government to Anatoly Zlenko, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs. A gypsum copy was made at Greece’s Ministry of Culture studio. According to Mr. Kontumas, there was no particular reason for this present: having learnt of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s redecoration, Greece decided to present it an authentic copy of this work of Greek classic art.

Anatoly Zlenko said he was very happy that “now Ukrainian diplomats have received the chance to make a closer acquaintance with other people’s cultures, with such masterpieces as the Venus de Milo,” since, in minister’s opinion “a diplomat’s culture level is an indispensable part of his/her personality,” and “beauty will save the world.” Mr. Zlenko expressed his confidence that the statue will cement ties between Greece and Ukraine and said he hoped that some other statues will be company for Venus de Milo in the future. According to the minister, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had not so far considered a reciprocal present to repay to the Greek foreign ministry’s generosity.