A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Denmark
CHAPTER
Cultural bonds between Denmark and Russia go way back in time and diplomatic connections
between the two countries have existed for more than five hundred years.
The two countries tied close knots culturally when the Danish princess Dagmar married
the future Tsar Alexander III in 1866. This connection was revived as recently as 2006 with
the reburial of the Empress Maria Feodorovna in St. Petersburg next to her husband in the
country she truly loved, but had to flee as a consequence of the revolution. The reburial
was marked by a series of cultural events in Denmark and Russia: memorial concerts, art
and photographic exhibitions and book presentations.
Apart from the royal connection, Denmark has benefited over the years from strong influences
from masters of Russian literature such as Dostoyevsky, Turgenev and Tolstoy
while Danish artists portrayed the Russian aristocrats in St. Petersburg.
The year 2005 was dedicated to the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen and the celebration
of his 200th birthday, which was also marked in Russia with many different cultural
projects. These included a Danish exhibition in Moscow and Chelyabinsk about the life and
works of H.C. Andersen, a Danish theatre festival for children in Zelenograd and the celebration
of the 150th anniversary of Russian illustrators interpreting Andersen’s fairy tales.
In 2007, a Danish theatre group performed for children in the Northern Caucasus and contemporary
Danish art was represented in the 2nd Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. Danish
films are often shown at film festivals in Russia. Among the current plans are master classes by
Danish filmmakers, exhibitions of Danish design and fashion, participation in book fairs, jazz and
theatre festivals, thus extending still further cultural relations between Denmark and Russia.
WHAT LEGISLATION APPLIES TO THE IMPORT/EXPORT OF CULTURAL GOODS
BETWEEN DENMARK AND RUSSIA?
NATIONAL
Act on Protection of Cultural Assets in Denmark (No 332 of 4. July 1987)
Executive Order (no 404 on Protection of Cultural Assets in Denmark)
INTERNATIONAL
European Community legislation is applicable as explained in Chapter 2
UNESCO Convention of 1970 (ratifi ed in 2003)
Denmark is considering the ratification of the UNIDROIT Convention of 1995.
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