EXCHANGE OF ART

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33521, 30 April 1974, Page 12

EXCHANGE OF ART

\\ol pulliiw w eight* r i New Zealand's cultural exchange with Russia was a .one-way affair, too little of i the contribution coming from i'New Zealand, Mr O. ! Benyukh. of the Soviet Em I bassy, said on Sunday ing“The exchange of our art is .very' important in the fostering of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but New Zealand has not been pulling its weight,” Mr Benyukh said. “The only cultural visit from New Zealand that I can remember was the Maori Concert Part’, a few years ago, yet the C'.S.S.R jhas sent out numerous artists, ■including ballets, and a circus.” Mr Benyukh said that the Georgian Dancers, who had been extremely popular dut ing their last visit to New Zealand, would return for another tour in September. ■ Mr Benyukh was the guest speaker at a function held by the Christchurch branch iof the New Zealand-U.S.S.R. i Society to commemorate 'the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Diplomatic relations were first established in April. 1944. after New Zealand and Russia had fought against a . common enemy in World War i 11, he said. Mr Benyukh also spoke of , .the development of trade j between the two countries as 1 being beneficial to the pr< i motion of peace, and of th'* f exchange of Parliamentar t delegations in the fee. ,i years.