Exhibition of works by the famous cartoonist Herluf Bidstrup opened at the Reserve Center of the Presidential Library

On September 28, 2023, exhibition of works by Herluf Bidstrup, one of the most popular Danish cartoonists who had a stunning success in the Soviet Union, opened at the Reserve Center of the Presidential Library at the address: Moscow, Slavyanskaya Square, 4/1.

The event is organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Library. The exposition was prepared as part of the exhibition series “Friends of Russia”.

Director General of the Presidential Library Yuri Nosov conveyed words of greetings and gratitude to the guests of the event for the work done. He noted that many joint projects had been organized in cooperation with the Financial University and expressed confidence that the exhibition of the famous cartoonist would attract wide public attention and allow one to see the historical events of those years through his eyes. At the grand opening of the exhibition, welcoming speeches were also made by the representative of the Information and Communication Technologies Department of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation Vitaly Shameta, Director of the Reserve Center of the Presidential Library Denis Cheremisin, State Duma Deputy for the Vladivostok District and Primorye Territory Alexander Shcherbakov, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Mass Communications of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Shatilov.

Herluf Bidstrup began drawing future graphs during his school years. This was followed by art school and successful admission to the Royal Academy of Arts. In total, about five thousand drawings came out of his hand. These are humorous sketches, comics, which reflect scenes from the everyday life of ordinary people and more serious stories on topical topics with socio-political overtones. Thus, cartoons from the “Humanism” series, presented at an exhibition in the Reserve Center of the Presidential Library, show attitudes towards animals and children. Another series of drawings presented at the exhibition, entitled “Leader,” raises issues of ethics and morality in managerial relationships in a broad sense.

Herluf Bidstrup visited the Soviet Union quite often as a participant in exhibitions and as a member of the presidium of the Denmark-USSR society. Based on the cartoons of Herluf Bidstrup, together with the animator director Lev Atamanov, the cartoon “Bench” was shot in 1967. Bidstrup's work is mentioned in the famous novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky “Monday Begins on Saturday.” The artist's cartoons were published in the Soviet satirical magazine Krokodil.

For his works in 1964, Herluf Bidstrup was awarded the International Lenin Prize “For Strengthening Peace Among Nations”, later was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and was elected an honorary member of the USSR Academy of Arts. The relevance of the Danish artist’s works cannot be overestimated. They have no temporal or geographical references and raise themes and subjects that are especially understandable and relatable in the 21st century.

Our country has always had good and reliable friends in different regions of the world, and the “Friends of Russia” project introduces the audience to the biography, creativity, scientific and social activities of high-status persons of the past and present, and their contribution to world culture. As part of the project, exhibitions dedicated to such outstanding personalities as Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Patrice Lumumba, Sophia Loren and other celebrities whose biographies are associated with the history of our country and played an important role in the development of cultural and social life will be held. The next exhibition will be dedicated to the career of Emir Kusturica, with whom negotiations are currently underway about the possibility of his personal participation in the project.

One can see the exhibited works within a month as part of a visit to the electronic reading room of the Presidential Library in the Reserve Center upon showing a passport. Additional information can be obtained by calling: (495) 620-80-99.