Ukrainian billionaire donates millions to the Victoria and Albert Museum

LONDON. The Victoria and Albert Museum will name the new hall, which will appear after the reconstruction, in honor of the American billionaire of Ukrainian origin Leonid Blavatnik. Although the exact amount of the donation remains confidential, experts believe that it is a few million pounds.

Blavatnik, who was born in Ukraine, emigrated to the United States and assumed American citizenship. He later moved to London, and last year was named the richest man in the UK. In recent years, his family foundation has been the main sponsor of Tate, the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The reconstruction project of the Victoria and Albert Museum provides for the creation of a new entrance to the exhibition and a large temporary exhibition gallery. The project cost amounted to 49.5 million pounds. In addition to Blavatnik, the museum received the support of other sponsors - the Heritage Foundation (£ 5 million), the Weston Foundation Garfield, the Sainesbury and Mortimer family trusts, and Theresa Sackler Foundation. Although the opening date has not yet been announced, it is expected to take place in the spring of 2017.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru