The Saba Cultural Institute, an art museum in Tehran, has announced on its website that it will hold Iran’s first ever exhibition of Russian Orthodox icons, tentatively scheduled for this winter, and that international museums will be participating. The institute was unable, however, to confirm which museums will loan works or to provide any further details. The announcement comes as a surprise: most exhibitions in Iran focus on Islamic or Middle Eastern art and culture due to the regime’s hostility towards other religions. However, under President Putin, Russia has shown strong support for Iran—including helping the country to build a nuclear power plant. Last month Putin visited Tehran; he is the first Russian leader to do so since Stalin.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Iranian museum announces Russian icons show'