We visited a remarkable exhibition in the town of Vyshny Volochyok, located between St. Petersburg and Moscow. The exhibition currently features the works of Veta Razuvaeva, a Belgian-Russian artist and a longstanding partner of the Chamber, who has helped our delegations discover the landmarks of Brussels. She is known for her romantic photographs of Bruges and Vyshny Volochyok—two cities with a shared historical connection.
Vyshny Volochyok, often referred to as the « Northern Venice » of Russia, is a small town situated midway between Russia’s two capitals. The first navigable canal here was constructed under Peter the Great, who personally attended and participated in its opening, ensuring the development of trade routes.
We were pleasantly surprised by a special gift from the exhibition’s organizers, dedicated to the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (CCBLR). The Mayor of Vyshny Volochyok presented us with an oil painting depicting a magnificent mansion in Bruges, where the exhibition’s organizers have frequently stayed during their visits. This historic residence has played a key role in fostering tourism and cultural exchange between our regions.
The history of partnership and cooperation between our lands dates back centuries. Vyshny Volochyok, officially recognized as a town by decree of Empress Catherine the Great, was once an active member of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages, facilitating trade between our regions long before modern partnerships took shape.
The exhibition was inaugurated in 2024 with the participation of CCBLR’s Cultural Attaché, Mr. Edwin Derde, and will remain open until the end of March 2025.
Oleg B. Prozorov