A well-known philanthropist of our city. The largest patrons of modern Russia
Everything in our life sooner or later acquires its meaning and name. Here is such a phenomenon as gratuitous aid, patronage and development assistance, which modern man calls patronage, charity or sponsorship.
All these concepts are united by a single meaning, but still there are features that distinguish them. Each of these areas has been present in Russia since ancient times and to this day. Sponsor, philanthropist, philanthropist - these are people who provide assistance, but can it be called absolutely gratuitous? Let's figure it out together...
Terminology - a ray of light in the wilds of concepts
So, there are people who are ready to give their "hard money" to support and promote the development of literature, music, other arts and just people who need help. Why not unite the heroes under one name? What are the nuances here?
A philanthropist is a person who provides disinterested and gratuitous assistance to those in need. The person himself decides where, how, to whom and with what he can help. Benefactors do not ask for anything in return and often provide assistance anonymously. Entire charitable foundations are being created where caring people can contribute to the misfortune (or development) of strangers: children, refugees, the sick, etc. Often, charitable collections go to support nature or animals. By the way, not only money refers to charitable assistance.
A philanthropist is a person who voluntarily and free of charge assists the development of science and culture. He attracts his personal financial resources for this noble cause.
Sponsor - investing money in the development and prosperity of someone or something. A sponsor can be either a person or an entire organization. Sponsorship can also be received by a specific person, company, direction, idea or any other activity. The concept of “investor” is similar in meaning, but the sponsor, unlike the investor, does not receive material benefits from the invested funds. Although he has his own interest. Most often, sponsors provide funding to "light up" in the media.
One way or another, by providing gratuitous assistance, each person expects to receive something in return: gratitude, attention, their own peace of mind or reverent joy from a good deed done.
History of patronage in Russia
In Rome, during the reign of Octavian Augustus, Gaius Maecenas was an assistant and confidant of the emperor. He was allowed a lot, August listened to his opinion. Guy in every possible way helped creative people who fell out of favor with political power. The name of the Maecenas went down in history as a household name, denoting help, patronage, financial support of scientists and artists.
Patronage in Russia originated in the XIII century as a direction of charity. Patrons of Russia are rich people who have achieved success in various fields. But they gained fame mainly due to philanthropy.
Mercy, charity, good deeds have been characteristic of the Russian people for centuries and constituted a fundamental feature of their way of life, character and life.
Mercy, charity, good deeds have been characteristic of the Russian people for centuries and constituted a fundamental feature of their way of life, character and life. One of the most penetrating Russian historians, Vasily Osipovich Klyuchevsky, even wrote a whole monograph on this topic, calling it "The Good People of Ancient Rus'", in which he argued that charity is both "an auxiliary means of public improvement" and "a necessary condition for personal moral health" .
Charity or charity, as they said before, was caused by different motives. Here is simple human compassion for one's neighbor, and the consciousness of civic solidarity between members of society, and moral views, and patriotism, and the desire to receive recognition from society and the state. Poverty was taught by the great princes of Kyiv, Russian tsars welcomed and encouraged charity. From time immemorial, there has been church charity in the creation of "wretched houses", "God's houses", almshouses and "bad houses", shelters for "disgraceful" (illegitimate) children at churches and monasteries. Since 1775, with the creation of orders for public charity in the provinces, a state system of charity has been formed. With the introduction of zemstvo institutions in the country in the 1860s-1870s. zemstvo and city charity develops.
But private philanthropy has received a particularly large scale in Russia. Originating in the second half of the eighteenth century, in the next century, especially at the end of the 19th-beginning of the 20th century, it developed into a powerful social movement, in the sky of which original personalities shone, who won the respect of their contemporaries and entered the history of Russia.
There are many Muscovites among these unforgettable names. Charity in Moscow acquired a particularly striking character, since huge industrial and financial capitals were concentrated in the city and their owners had the opportunity to generously donate to public needs. They built hospitals, maternity hospitals, care homes, orphanages, kindergartens, widows' homes, educational institutions, libraries; established scholarships for high school students and students; started free canteens and baths; gave dowries to poor brides.
There were hundreds of different charitable institutions and societies in the city. There were dozens of special magazines devoted to this topic. In 1885-1894, for example, Archpriest G.P. Smirnov-Platonov published the magazine "Children's Help: a magazine for everyone interested in public charity." Department of Institutions of Empress Maria in 1897-1902. had its own "Herald of Charity: A Journal dedicated to all issues related to charity and public charity." Guardianship of the houses of industriousness and work in 1897-1917. contained the journal "Labor Assistance". In 1914, the All-Russian Union of Institutions, Societies and Figures for Public and Private Charity established the journal Charity and Charity in Russia.
In 1909, the All-Russian Union of Founders of Societies and Figures for Public and Private Charity was opened, which set the task of streamlining and uniting charitable activities in Russia. In 1910 and 1914 its congresses were held.
Charity as a form of public service has become a public service, i.e. public cause after 1917. Now Russia is returning to the deep traditions of folk life. Charity should become the norm for modern entrepreneurs. The names of the benefactors of old Moscow are returning from the depths of oblivion. Our memory rewards them with merit for good deeds, and at the same time it can teach: it is not a sin to adopt everything useful from past experience.
Russian Civilization
Such philanthropists and collectors as Savva Mamontov, Alexei Bakhrushin, the Tretyakov brothers, Ryabushinskys, and Morozovs played a significant role in the development of Russian culture in the 19th and early 20th centuries. But even now, philanthropists among the Russian business elite have not disappeared.
Here is a list of the most famous patrons of our country, compiled on the basis of materials from Forbes Russia, Kommersant, RIA Novosti and other open sources:
I.E. Repin. Portrait of P.M. Tretyakov, 1901
Vladimir Potanin
Interros President Vladimir Potanin founded the Hermitage Development Fund and contributed five million dollars to it. The businessman is considered one of the most consistent Russian patrons. Among his most significant sponsorship and charitable undertakings are the museum projects "Changing Museum in a Changing World", "First Publication", the "Museum Guide" festival, grants to the Hermitage staff, and the creation of the Russian Lounge at the Kennedy Center. Potanin is also known for donating one million dollars to the state purchase of the famous Black Square by Kazimir Malevich, which was in the collection of INCOM-Bank.
Viktor Vekselberg
Viktor Vekselberg, a big fan of the Faberge firm, created a museum of the famous jewelry workshop in St. Petersburg, where eleven Easter eggs of the imperial series are stored, which the head of the Renova company purchased from the descendants of billionaire Malcolm Forbes for one hundred million dollars and returned to Russia. In 2014, the Vekselberg Foundation "Link of Times" bought items from the personal archive of the Yusupovs at an auction and donated them to the State Archives.
Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich, the owner of Millhouse Capital, sponsored the tour of the Sovremennik Theater in London in 2010. The former governor of Chukotka, known for his passion for art, became the founder of the Garage cultural center, which, according to some estimates, cost the businessman fifty million euros. And in 2017, the reconstruction of the territory of New Holland Island in St. Petersburg, in which Abramovich invested four hundred million dollars, is to be completed in order to turn local warehouses and other buildings of the 18th century into a complex of museums and art galleries.
Roman Trotsenko
In 2007, the owner of AEON Corporation, Roman Trotsenko, created the Winzavod cultural center, the reconstruction of the production facilities of which cost twelve million dollars. Roman Trotsenko's wife, Sofya Sergeevna, is a well-known Russian art producer, president of the Winzavod Foundation for the Support of Contemporary Art, adviser to the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Andrey Skoch
Businessman Andrei Skoch finances the Debut Literary Prize, designed to support young authors. The prize fund is six million rubles.
Shalva Breus
In 2007, the owner of the Balakhna Pulp and Paper Mill, Shalva Breus, founded the annual Kandinsky Art Prize, which is awarded for the best artistic achievements of the past two years. The prize fund of the award is estimated at fifty-seven thousand euros. Breus' immediate plans include the creation of a new museum of contemporary art. It is likely that it will be located in the building of the Udarnik cinema, which Shalva Breus rents from the city. According to the businessman, about thirty million dollars will be needed to implement this project.
Alexander Mamut and Sergey Adoniev
One of the largest domestic projects in the field of art - the Institute of Media, Architecture and Design "Strelka" exists on the money of the head of "SUP Media" Alexander Mamut and the owner of Yota company Sergey Adoniev. Strelka's annual budget is about ten million dollars. Sergey Adoniev is also known for the large-scale reconstruction of the Stanislavsky Electrotheater, after which the theater received a universal hall for two hundred seats with a transformable stage, a multifunctional foyer, six rehearsal rooms, workshops and workshops, a scenery warehouse with a lift and a sewing workshop. The reconstruction was carried out entirely at the expense of Sergei Adoniev, who, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, invested several hundred million rubles in the restoration of the theater.
Mikhail Prokhorov
Businessman and politician Mikhail Prokhorov financed the festival of Russian art "Unknown Siberia" in Lyon, where the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Pletnev performed, investing about two million euros in this enterprise, and also sponsored the production of the play "Shukshin's Stories" at the Theater of Nations. In the year of the bicentenary of N.V. Gogol, Mikhail Prokhorov established the NOS Literary Prize "to identify and support new trends in modern Russian literature." The prize fund in the amount of one million rubles is annually distributed among the winners and finalists of the competition.
Vladimir Kekhman
One of the most colorful philanthropists, Vladimir Kekhman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JFC, combines charitable activities with the management of two theaters - Mikhailovsky and Novosibirsk. In 2007, having become the director of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, Kekhman invested five hundred million rubles in the reconstruction of the building, organized several tours and gala concerts. (However, at the same time, Vladimir Kekhman was declared bankrupt and is accused in the case of fraud on an especially large scale).
Alisher Usmanov
Alisher Usmanov's charity expenses in 2012 amounted to one hundred and eighty million dollars. He personally established the Art, Science and Sport foundations, supports theaters, museums, participates in social projects and helps seriously ill children. In 2007, the head of USM Holdings, Alisher Usmanov, even before the start of trading, bought for more than one hundred and eleven million dollars a collection of art by Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya put up for auction by Sotheby's, consisting of four hundred and fifty lots. It is noteworthy that, according to preliminary estimates, the cost of the collection was estimated by experts in the range of only twenty-six to forty million dollars. After the purchase, Usmanov donated the collection to the Russian government, at the moment it is on display at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg. Two weeks earlier, Alisher Usmanov committed another deed worthy of respect: he purchased a collection of classic Soyuzmultfilm animated films from the American company Films by Jove and donated it to the Russian children's television channel Bibigon. The amount of the transaction is estimated at five to ten million dollars. Alisher Usmanov also has the exhibition "Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Avant-Garde" and the exhibition of William Turner at the Pushkin Museum im. A. S. Pushkin, funding the publication of the Murzilka magazine, supporting Vladimir Spivakov’s projects, organizing the International Tenor Competition in memory of Luciano Pavarotti.
Alexey Ananiev
Promsvyazbank Chairman of the Board of Directors Alexei Ananyev, known for his commitment to traditional Orthodox values, founded the Institute of Russian Realistic Art, for which one of the old buildings of the former cotton-printing factory built in Zamoskvorechye at the end of the 19th century was purchased. The businessman constantly replenishes the collection of the museum and exhibition complex. Now in his collection there are about five hundred works of Russian and Soviet art.
Leonid Mikhelson
Leonid Mikhelson, Chairman of the Board of Novatek OJSC, decided to bring the light of culture to Muscovites and bought HPP-2 from Mosenergo, which is on Bolotnaya Square, in order to turn the power plant into an Art Museum. Previously, the businessman created the V-A-C (Victoria - the Art of being Contemporary) Foundation, named after his daughter Victoria. The organization provides support to contemporary art museums, sponsors young artists and their curators.
Oleg Deripaska
Oleg Deripaska, General Director of RusAl, actively supervises the Kuban Cossack Choir and the Moscow Art Theater School, which, with the support of the entrepreneur, toured the Kuban, Siberia and the Volga region. Deripaska heads the Volnoe Delo charitable foundation, which sponsors children with disabilities, the education system of Moscow State University, the Russian Chess Federation, and the Phanagoria Archaeological Expedition.
Mikhail Abramov
Businessman Mikhail Abramov created the Museum of Russian Icons in Moscow in 2011. It exists solely on the money of the philanthropist and does not conduct any commercial activities, does not charge fees for visiting and excursions. The magnificent museum collection contains five thousand exhibits, including unique monuments of the 15th-16th centuries. The museum, which has its own restoration workshops and a scientific department, was admitted to the International Council of Museums at UNESCO.
Petr Aven
The chairman of the board of directors of the Alfa-Bank banking group, the well-known collector Pyotr Aven, initiated the creation of the non-profit organization Russian Avant-Garde Research Project, which aims to combat counterfeiting of works of Russian art. He is known as an art connoisseur and philanthropist, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, a collector of paintings by artists of the "Silver Age".
Boris Mints
The chairman of the board of directors of O1 Group, Boris Mints, preferred the troublesome everyday life of a museum worker to the sweet life of a billionaire - he bought the building of the Bolshevik confectionery factory on Leningradsky Prospekt and decided to turn it into the Museum of Russian Impressionism, investing ten million dollars in reconstruction. The basis of the exposition was the personal collection of paintings by Boris Mints, who for several years collected bit by bit the paintings of Russian artists.
Sergey Popov
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of MDM Bank, Sergei Popov, has been sponsoring music festivals for Yuri Bashmet and Valery Gergiev for many years, but he tries not to talk about it. An amazing fact: the entrepreneur even entered into an agreement with a PR agency, one of the main tasks of which is to minimize press references to Sergei Popov and his business. This is the opposite of PR!
Danil Khachaturov
Director General of Rosgosstrakh Danil Khachaturov sublimated his unfulfilled youthful dreams of becoming a film director into film financing. Rosgosstrakh paid for the filming of such films as "Eggs of Destiny", "High Security Vacation", "Freaks", personally produced the films "Inhale-Exhale" and "Generation P".
Every person can do good deeds, regardless of financial wealth.
But many celebrities have made charity the second, or even the first, occupation of their lives, which, of course, is very inspiring to their fans. Today we will talk about people who not only became famous, but also managed to change this world a little for the better.Chulpan Khamatova and Dina Korzun
Chulpan Khamatova can probably be called the face of Russian charity, because it was she and actress Dina Korzun who became the founders of the Give Life! Foundation, which everyone has heard of. It all started with the fact that Chulpan became interested in the problem of the Moscow hematological center, which needed to raise 200 thousand dollars for a blood irradiation device. The actress became interested in the problem, told her friend Dina Korzun about it, and they decided to arrange a charity concert. As a result, "point" help has acquired a large-scale character - Chulpan and Dina decided that it was in their power to help the smallest patients suffering from cancer.
“I am a mother myself and have two children. When I see a sick child - the same age as my girls, the first reaction is: "Lord, thank You that this passed me by." Because I can hardly imagine how I would cope with this, - Chulpan shared in an interview. Then I think, how does this mother feel, and how does she find the strength to smile? And where is the guarantee that this will actually pass me by? And then comes faith in medicine and in the strength of the spirit of parents and children. And the fright passes, and you understand that many problems can be solved absolutely calmly. We just need some deeds, movements, actions.
Stars who do not yet have their own charitable funds participate in one-time promotions and charitable projects (which also does them credit), as a rule, together with well-known brands. By the way, not always cosmetic. For example, Megan Fox campaigns against domestic violence with the support of the cosmetic brand Avon, and LG attracts sports stars such as Tatyana Navka, Alexei Nemov and Svetlana Khorkina to promote blood donation in Russia. Also, quite recently, actress Nonna Grishaeva became the face of the World Without Tears charity program of VTB Bank, which deals with the problems of child development and health.
Natalia Vodianova has become a real ambassador of good deeds - the supermodel organized her Naked Heart Foundation, which builds playgrounds, and Natalia is very supportive of children with disabilities and tries to help such kids grow up on a par with other peers. The star went to Krymsk after a terrible flood, carried the fire of the Paralympics, organized charity auctions and races
Outrageous pop diva Lady Gaga spends the lion's share of her income on charity. In 2011, the singer donated $1 million from her own pocket to a foundation that helps homeless youth in New York. Then Gaga “matured” to her own organization BornThisWayFoundation - its goal is to fight hooliganism and educate tolerant teenagers. The star believes that it is anger and intolerance that are the main problems of our time.
Konstantin Khabensky is a very modest person, for a long time he hid the fact that he had done many good deeds. He founded a fund to help children with cancer, as well as creative development studios throughout Russia, giving ordinary children the opportunity to touch the world of cinema. By the way, it was the wards of Konstantin Khabensky who played in the film “The Geographer Drank His Globe Away”. And Khabensky actively advocates for the rights of orphans and against the “Dima Yakovlev law”
Elton John is one of the most famous AIDS activists. In an interview, the artist admitted: “I am very ashamed that I did not do more to fight AIDS when my friends, including Ryan, were dying nearby. I just didn't have the strength or the sobriety to do anything about it." Now Sir Elton John is the founder of the largest Aids Foundation. The musician also tried to adopt an HIV-positive boy from a Ukrainian orphanage, but he failed.
Madonna did not remain indifferent to the problems of starving Africa, and in particular the country of Malawi, where she found her adopted son. The singer founded the Rising Malawi Foundation (“Revival of Malawi”) and is trying to fight poverty in this state. Madonna opens schools there, helps orphans and people with HIV infection. With her own money, Madge built an academy for girls in Malawi - the star is outraged by the fact that women in this country are generally not accepted to get an education
A few years ago, Sean Penn's life changed dramatically - the actor visited Haiti after a devastating earthquake and decided to start helping this poor island. At first, Penn held several actions called “Help us. Help Haiti”, and then founded the Sean Penn and Friends Help Haiti Foundation, which now constantly provides assistance to Haitians. By the way, his ex-wife Madonna also visits Haiti from time to time to support Sean's foundation.
Justin Bieber often hears insults addressed to him, although there is something to praise the 19-year-old singer for. For example, Justin regularly visits the Make A Wish charity, which was created to make dreams come true for children suffering from terrible ailments. He himself communicates with his little fans, coming to hospitals. Bieber also founded the Believe Charity Drive fund, which receives a portion of the money from all sales of his albums.
Model Gisele Bundchen after the earthquake in Haiti donated her personal jewelry in the amount of $ 1.5 million, visited Kenya as a UN ambassador. Giselle is also not indifferent to the problems of ecology and nature protection. In particular, the model spoke out against skin cancer, urging women not to joke with the solarium and the sun. At the same time, Giselle helps raise funds for the UNICEF children's fund. In a word, Bundchen tries to be in time everywhere and at once.
Shakira opened her charitable foundation Fundación Pies Descalzos (literally "Bare Feet Foundation") back in 1997. During this time, her organization managed to do a lot of good - Shakira supports children from low-income families in her native Colombia. The Foundation raises funds for sick children, and also helps those who want to get an education, military children and difficult teenagers. In an interview, Shakira admitted that the state pushes children into crime without giving them education.
Patronage... The word is not quite familiar to us. Everyone has heard it at least once in their life, but not everyone can correctly explain the essence of this term. And this is sad, because Russia has always been famous for the fact that charity and patronage were an integral part of its long traditions.
What is patronage?
If you ask anyone you meet what patronage is, few people will be able to give an intelligible answer like this, right off the bat. Yes, everyone has heard of wealthy people providing financial assistance to museums, children's children's sports organizations, emerging artists, musicians and poets. But is all the assistance provided philanthropy? There is also charity and sponsorship. How to distinguish these concepts from each other? This article will help to understand these difficult questions.
Patronage is a material or other gratuitous support of individuals provided to organizations, as well as representatives of culture and art.
The history of the term
The word owes its origin to a real historical person. Gaius Tsilny Maecenas - that's whose name has become a household name. A noble Roman nobleman, an ally of Emperor Octavian, became famous for helping talented poets and writers persecuted by the authorities. He saved from death the author of the immortal "Aeneid" Virgil and many other cultural figures whose lives were threatened for political reasons.
There were other patrons of art in Rome, besides Gaius Maecenas. Why exactly did his name become a household name and turned into a modern term? The fact is that all other wealthy benefactors would refuse to intercede for a disgraced poet or artist because of fear of the emperor. But Guy Maecenas had a very strong influence on Octavian Augustus, and was not afraid to go against his will and desire. He saved Virgil. The poet supported the emperor's political opponents and fell out of favor because of this. And the only one who came to his aid was the Maecenas. Therefore, the name of the rest of the benefactors was lost in the centuries, and he forever remained in the memory of those whom he unselfishly helped all his life.
History of patronage
It is impossible to name the exact date of the appearance of patronage. The only undeniable fact is that there has always been a need for assistance to representatives of art from people endowed with power and wealth. The reasons for providing such assistance varied. Someone really loved art and sincerely tried to help poets, artists and musicians. For other rich people, this was either a tribute to fashion, or a desire to show themselves as a generous giver and patron in the eyes of the rest of society. The authorities tried to provide patronage to representatives of art in order to keep them in subjection.
Thus, philanthropy appeared in the period after the emergence of the state. Both in the era of antiquity and in the Middle Ages, poets and artists were in a dependent position from representatives of the authorities. It was practically domestic slavery. This situation continued until the collapse of the feudal system.
During the period of absolute monarchy, patronage takes the form of pensions, awards, honorary titles, and court positions.
Charity and patronage - is there a difference?
There is some confusion with the terminology and concepts of patronage, charity and sponsorship. All of them involve the provision of assistance, but the difference between them is still quite significant, and it would be a mistake to draw an equal sign. It is worth considering the issue of terminology in more detail. Of all three concepts, sponsorship and patronage are the most different from each other. The first term means providing assistance on certain conditions, or investing in a cause. For example, support for an artist may be subject to the creation of a portrait of the sponsor or the mention of his name in the media. Simply put, sponsorship involves receiving some kind of benefit. Patronage is a disinterested and gratuitous aid to art and culture. The philanthropist does not prioritize obtaining additional benefits for himself.
The next topic is charity. It is very close to the concept of patronage, and the difference between them is barely noticeable. This is helping those in need, and the main motive here is compassion. The concept of charity is very broad, and patronage acts as its specific type.
Why do people philanthropy?
Russian philanthropists and patrons have always differed from Western ones in their approach to the issue of helping artists. If we talk about Russia, here philanthropy is material support, which is provided out of a sense of compassion, a desire to help without deriving any benefit for oneself. In the West, however, there was a moment of benefiting from charity in the form of tax cuts or exemptions. Therefore, it is impossible to speak of complete disinterestedness here.
Why, since the 18th century, Russian philanthropists are increasingly patronizing art and science, building libraries, museums and theaters?
The main driving force here was the following reasons - high morality, morality and religiosity of patrons. Public opinion actively supported the ideas of compassion and mercy. Correct traditions and religious education led to such a striking phenomenon in the history of Russia as the flourishing of patronage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Patronage in Russia. The history of the emergence and attitude of the state to this kind of activity
Charity and patronage in Russia have long and deep traditions. They are associated primarily with the time of the appearance of Christianity in Kievan Rus. At that time, charity existed as a personal aid to those in need. First of all, the church was engaged in such activities, opening hospices for the elderly, the disabled and the infirm, and hospitals. The beginning of charity was laid by Prince Vladimir, who officially obliged the church and monasteries to engage in public charity.
The next rulers of Russia, eradicating professional begging, at the same time continued to take care of those who were truly in need. Hospitals, almshouses, orphanages for the illegitimate and the mentally ill continued to be built.
Charity in Russia has successfully developed thanks to women. Empresses Catherine I, Maria Feodorovna and Elizaveta Alekseevna were especially distinguished in helping those in need.
The history of patronage in Russia begins at the end of the 18th century, when it becomes one of the forms of charity.
The first Russian patrons
The first patron of the arts was Count Alexander Sergeevich Stroganov. One of the largest landowners in the country, the count is best known as a generous philanthropist and collector. Traveling a lot, Stroganov became interested in compiling a collection of paintings, stones and coins. The count devoted a lot of time, money and effort to the development of culture and art, provided assistance and support to such famous poets as Gavriil Derzhavin and Ivan Krylov.
Until the end of his life, Count Stroganov was the permanent president of the Imperial Academy of Arts. At the same time, he oversaw the Imperial Public Library and was its director. It was on his initiative that the construction of the Kazan Cathedral began with the involvement of not foreign, but Russian architects.
People like Stroganov paved the way for subsequent patrons who unselfishly and sincerely help the development of culture and art in Russia.
The famous Demidov dynasty, the founders of the metallurgical industry in Russia, is known not only for its huge contribution to the development of the country's industry, but also for its charity. Representatives of the dynasty patronized Moscow University and founded a scholarship for students from them. They opened the first commercial school for merchant children. The Demidovs constantly helped the Orphanage. At the same time they were engaged in the collection of art collections. It has become the largest private collection in the world.
Another famous patron and patron of the XVIII century - Count He was a real connoisseur of art, especially theatrical.
At one time, he was infamous for marrying his own serf, home theater actress Praskovya Zhemchugova. She died early and bequeathed to her husband not to give up the cause of charity. Count Sheremetev complied with her request. He spent part of the capital to help artisans and dowry brides. On his initiative, the construction of the Hospice House in Moscow began. He also invested in the construction of theaters and temples.
The special contribution of the merchants to the development of patronage
Many now have a completely wrong opinion about the Russian merchants of the XIX-XX centuries. It was formed under the influence of Soviet films and literary works, in which the aforementioned layer of society was exposed in the most unattractive way. All merchants without exception look poorly educated, focused solely on making a profit in any way by people, while completely devoid of compassion and mercy for their neighbors. This is a fundamental misconception. Of course, there are always exceptions and there will be, but for the most part, merchants were the most educated and informative part of the population, not counting, of course, the nobility.
But among the representatives of noble families, benefactors and patrons could be counted on the fingers. Charity in Russia is entirely the merit of the merchant class.
It has already been briefly mentioned above, for what reason people began to engage in patronage. For most merchants and manufacturers, charity has become almost a way of life, has become an integral character trait. The fact that many wealthy merchants and bankers were descendants of the Old Believers, who were characterized by a special attitude towards money and wealth, played a role here. And the attitude of Russian entrepreneurs to their activities was somewhat different than, for example, in the West. For them, wealth is not a fetish, trade is not a source of profit, but rather a certain duty imposed by God.
Brought up on deep religious traditions, Russian entrepreneurs-philanthropists believed that wealth is given by God, which means that one must be responsible for it. In fact, they believed that they were obliged to engage in the provision of assistance. But it wasn't coercion. Everything was done according to the call of the soul.
Famous Russian patrons of the 19th century
This period is considered the heyday of charity in Russia. The rapid economic growth that began led to the astounding scope and generosity of the wealthy.
Well-known patrons of the XIX-XX centuries - entirely representatives of the merchant class. The brightest representatives are Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov and his lesser-known brother Sergei Mikhailovich.
It must be said that the Tretyakov merchants did not possess significant wealth. But this did not prevent them from carefully collecting paintings by famous masters, spending serious sums on them. Sergei Mikhailovich was more interested in Western European painting. After his death, the collection bequeathed to his brother was included in the collection of paintings by Pavel Mikhailovich. The art gallery that appeared in 1893 bore the name of both remarkable Russian patrons. If we talk only about the collection of paintings by Pavel Mikhailovich, then in his entire life the philanthropist Tretyakov spent about a million rubles on it. An incredible sum for the time.
Tretyakov began to collect his collection of Russian paintings in his youth. Even then, he had a well-defined goal - to open a national public gallery, so that anyone could visit it for free and join the masterpieces of Russian fine art.
We owe the Tretyakov brothers a magnificent monument to Russian patronage - the Tretyakov Gallery.
Patron Tretyakov was not the only patron of art in Russia. Savva Ivanovich Mamontov, a representative of a famous dynasty, is the founder and builder of the largest railway lines in Russia. He did not strive for fame and was completely indifferent to awards. His only passion was the love of art. Savva Ivanovich himself was a deeply creative person, and entrepreneurship was very burdensome for him. According to contemporaries, he himself could become a great opera singer (he was even offered to perform on the stage of the Italian opera house), and a sculptor.
He turned his Abramtsevo estate into a hospitable home for Russian artists. Vrubel, Repin, Vasnetsov, Serov, and also Chaliapin were constantly here. Mamontov provided financial assistance and patronage to all of them. But the philanthropist provided the greatest support to theatrical art.
Mamontov was considered by his relatives and business partners to be a stupid whim, but this did not stop him. At the end of his life, Savva Ivanovich was ruined and barely escaped prison. He was fully justified, but he could no longer engage in entrepreneurship. Until the end of his life, he was supported by all those whom he had selflessly helped in his time.
Savva Timofeevich Morozov is an amazingly modest philanthropist who helped the Art Theater on the condition that his name would not be mentioned in the newspapers on this occasion. And other representatives of this dynasty provided invaluable assistance in the development of culture and art. Sergey Timofeevich Morozov was fond of Russian arts and crafts, the collection he collected made up the center of the Handicraft Museum in Moscow. Ivan Abramovich was the patron of the then unknown Marc Chagall.
Modernity
The revolution and subsequent events interrupted the wonderful traditions of Russian patronage. And after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a lot of time passed before new patrons of modern Russia appeared. For them patronage is a professionally organized part of their activity. Unfortunately, the topic of charity, which is becoming more and more popular in Russia from year to year, is extremely sparingly covered in the media. Only isolated cases become known to the general public, and most of the work of sponsors, patrons and charitable foundations passes by the population. If you now ask anyone you meet: "What modern patrons do you know?", it is unlikely that anyone will answer this question. And meanwhile such people need to know.
Among Russian entrepreneurs who are actively involved in charity, first of all, it is worth noting the president of the Interros holding, Vladimir Potanin, who in 2013 announced that he would bequeath his entire fortune to charitable purposes. This was a truly stunning statement. He founded the foundation that bears his name, which is engaged in large projects in the field of education and culture. As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hermitage, he has already donated 5 million rubles to it.
Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska, one of the most influential and richest entrepreneurs in Russia, is the founder of the Volnoe Delo charitable foundation, which is financed from the personal funds of a businessman. The Fund has carried out more than 400 programs, the total budget of which amounted to almost 7 billion rubles. Deripaska's charitable organization is engaged in activities in the field of education, science and culture, and sports. The Foundation also provides assistance to the Hermitage, many theaters, monasteries and educational centers throughout our country.
The role of patrons in modern Russia can be played not only by big businessmen, but also by officials and commercial structures. Charity is carried out by JSC "Gazprom", JSC "Lukoil", CB "Alfa Bank" and many other companies and banks.
I would especially like to mention Dmitry Borisovich Zimin, the founder of OJSC Vympel-Communications. Since 2001, having achieved a steady profitability of the company, he retired and devoted himself entirely to charity. He founded the Enlightener Prize and the Dynasty Foundation. According to Zimin himself, he donated all his capital to charity for free. The foundation he created is engaged in supporting the fundamental science of Russia.
Of course, modern patronage has not reached the level that was observed in the "golden" years of the XIX century. Now it is fragmentary, while the benefactors of the past centuries provided systematic support to culture and science.
Does philanthropy have a future in Russia?
On April 13, a wonderful holiday is celebrated - the Day of the Philanthropist and Patron in Russia. The date is timed to coincide with the birthday of Gaius Maecenas, the Roman patron of poets and artists, whose name has become the common word "philanthropist". The initiator of the holiday was the Hermitage, represented by its director M. Piotrovsky. This day also received a second name - Thank You Day. It was first noted in 2005, and I would like to hope that in the future it will not lose its relevance.
Now there is an ambiguous attitude towards patronage. One of the main reasons for this is the ambiguous attitude towards wealthy people in the current conditions of an increasingly strong stratification of society. No one disputes the fact that wealth is often acquired in ways that are not entirely acceptable to the majority of the population. But among the rich people there are those who donate millions to the development and maintenance of science and culture and other charitable purposes. And it would be great if the state took care that the names of modern Russian patrons of art become known to a wide range of the population.
