Ulaanbaatar, April 23, 2026 /MONTSAME/. An art exhibition titled “Mongolia Through the Eyes of Irkutsk Artists,” dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia, opened on April 16 at the V.S. Rogal Art Center in Irkutsk, Russian Federation.
The exhibition showcases more than 60 paintings and graphic works created between 1972 and 2024 by 14 artists from Irkutsk, and will be open to the public until May 28, 2026.
What makes this exhibition notable is that it reflects the long-standing collaboration between Mongolian and Russian artists. In particular, in 1972, at the initiative of Vitaliy Sergeyevich Rogal, then head of the Irkutsk Artists’ Union, a joint creative expedition titled “Along the Road of Friendship” was organized. The works produced during this trip laid the foundation for exhibitions held in both countries. Over time, this initiative expanded to include Moscow and other countries within the broader artistic community.
The first expedition included Russian artists A.I. Alekseyev, A.G. Kostovsky, B.T. Bychkov, and art researcher S.N. Baranova, who traveled across Mongolia for 10 days to conduct research. This experience became a foundation for the deep incorporation of Mongolian themes into their artistic works.
Furthermore, in 2002, a cooperation agreement between the Irkutsk Art College and the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture elevated artistic exchange to a new level. Since then, joint creative trips, training sessions, and classes have been held annually in both Mongolia and Irkutsk. Art scholar I.G. Fedchina and artist V.N. Beshnov have made significant contributions to this collaboration.
At the exhibition’s opening ceremony, President of the Union of Mongolian Artists Soninbayar A., State Premium Laureate sculptor Amgalan Ts., and art scholar Sosor O. attended the event. They also became acquainted with the activities of the Buryat Artists’ Union and exchanged views on future cooperation.
