Bust Of 1st Russian Explorer Who Visits Malaya Between November 1874 And October 1875 Presented To Malaysian Govt

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Various countries, including Russia, are celebrating their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with this country this year by holding special events. But Russia, with a population of more than 144 million, did it with a difference. It commemorated the event by presenting a bust of Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay, the first Russian explorer and scientist, to have visited Malaya between November 1874 and October 1875. Miklouho-Maclay spent 165 days discovering Malaya where he learnt the Malay language and wrote some notes in his diaries in Malay. He was fortunate that Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor appreciated the importance of the scientist's research and rendered him every possible assistance. Russian Ambassador to Malaysia, Valery N. Yermolov (right), said that the Russian government chose the bust of Miklouho-Maclay to be presented to the Malaysian government because of his "personality and the first Russian to come to Malaya." He was speaking at the official opening of an art exhibition – "Malaysia-Russia, Past, Present, Future,” at the Nasional Visual Art Gallery held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties, from Thursday (May 11) until May 23 . During the event, the bust was officially presented to the Malaysian government, who was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the guest of honour, Yermolov hoped that the exhibition would bring the people of Russia and Malaysia even closer. He emphasised that bilateral ties including trade relations had been very good, but Russia would like to further develop cultural and tourism ties apart from people to people exchange. There were several reasons hindering such development, he said, for example the distance between Russia and Malaysia and the absence of direct flights between the two countries, pointing out that Russians mostly visited Thailand and Indonesia. However, the Russian government was working at overcoming such obstacles that might hinder tourism, the envoy added. Meanwhile, Reezal Merican (left) said Russia had a long yet understated history in its engagement with Malaysia and indeed in the present day, both countries were enjoying the fruits of these strong and healthy relations. "The future will bring much potential for more cooperation between Malaysia and Russia. We will continue to look to Russia for expertise in space exploration, nuclear technology and Antarctic studies. Malaysian companies and their Russian partners are also moving forward together in high-tech fields such as information communication technology (ICT), biotechnology and defence," he said. As for the bust's sculptor, Gregory Pototsky, 65, it took him three months to complete the sculpture. The energetic, bubbly sculptor and artist, who is also the founder and president of the International Academy of Kindness hoped his next project "Symbols of Kindness – the Dandelion", a three-metre-high monument, would be installed in Kuala Lumpur. The academy runs the "In Russia with Kindness, from Russia with kindness", a major charity programme. Pototsky, who regards Malaysia as his home having come to the country five times and made a lot of friends, has done almost 100 artwork of famous people worldwide including those from France, Germany and the US, and also 130 monuments in 45 countries, of which four of them are displayed in Malaysia. Also present at the event was National Visual Arts Gallery Deputy Director of Operations Ameruddin Ahmad. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA