YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS:

The RA Culture Ministry ceremonially handed today world-famous marine painter Ivan Aivazovski's "Storm at Rocky Shores" canvas to the National Gallery of Armenia. The painting was stolen 21 years ago from the Armenian Cultural Affairs and Cooperation Society with Foreign Countries and was scheduled February 26 for sale at Gelos Auction House of Moscow.

"It is quite important to us to get such losses back," RA Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan said. She expressed gratitude to the owner of the canvas and said it is quite difficult to deprive oneself of such a painting. The canvas, which was restored several times by various collectors, was bought by RF Senator Hovhannes Ohanyan. The work was shipped to Yerevan several hours ago in assistance with the owner.

Victor Petrakov, head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Legislation Observance in the Field of Cultural Heritage Preservation of the Russian Federation, awarded a certificate of gratitude to the Culture Minister of the RA.

Over 100 creations by Ivan Aivazovski are preserved in the funds of the National Gallery of Armenia and all of them are donations.