The grand opening of the exhibition "Under Blue Skies: Decorative Traditions of Turkish Architecture," dedicated to Muslim artistic heritage, took place at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. The event was organized by the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation (RBM) and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the Russian Federation.

The exposition represents an in-depth cultural study of the visual language shaped by centuries of artistic practice. The exhibition continues the series of cultural events organized by the Turkish Embassy at various venues across the country.

The official ceremony was attended by Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation; Tanju Bilgiç, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to the Russian Federation; Kirill Sergeevich Bogomolov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo; and the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Algeria, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Pakistan, and Palestine. Distinguished guests also included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, diplomats from the embassies of the League of Arab States, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar, the UAE, Mauritania, Kazakhstan, and Syria, as well as cultural figures. Students from MGIMO, the Moscow Islamic Institute, and the Islamic College of the Moscow Region also took part in the event.

In his address to the guests, Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin emphasized the important role of such platforms in bringing cultures together: "Seeing its mission as promoting dialogue among cultures and mutual understanding, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque has repeatedly provided its halls for vibrant expositions and international exhibition projects."

The head of the RBM also noted that the experience of such events helps strengthen bilateral relations: "It is only natural that the Moscow Cathedral Mosque is becoming the starting point for many educational projects in the regions of our country, enhancing the traditional values of mutual respect and good neighborliness."

"It is gratifying that the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation has for many years been contributing to the development of humanitarian relations between Russia and friendly states, including through such blessed exhibition initiatives, taking place both in our country and abroad," emphasized Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

Turkish Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç, in his speech, highlighted the unifying power of art: "The bridges we build through culture and art are among the strongest and most enduring foundations of relations between our countries." According to him, each such event contributes to further strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

"Turkey and Russia have made significant contributions to world civilization through their rich history, unique cultural heritage, and strong artistic traditions. In this sense, our countries are important partners, mutually complementing each other in the cultural and artistic spheres," the Ambassador noted.

Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Kirill Sergeevich Bogomolov, also delivered a welcoming address at the event. He emphasized that Rossotrudnichestvo has always strived to build and strengthen intercultural dialogue. In his words, today's exhibition is a vivid and living example of such dialogue between Russia and Turkey.

"I want to thank all the masters and organizers who have given us this celebration. May this exhibition be for us not only an aesthetic pleasure but also an occasion for reflection on beauty and faith," he added.

The exhibition is open to all those interested in Muslim architecture and offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the elegance of Turkish artistic traditions. The exhibition will run until July 2 of this year.