MEETING WITH RUSSIA’S AMBASSADOR TO SWITZERLAND

Dmitry Dmitrievitch Cherkashin, extraordinary ambassador and plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in the Swiss Confederation, was at the inauguration of the Treasures of Steppe exhibition at the archaeologicalmuseumof Neuchatel last June 14th. In this year of commemoration (it was 190 years ago that the first official representation of Switzerland opened in St-Petersburg), the diplomat talked to us briefly about relations between the two countries.

What common history does Switzerland share with Russia? The history of relations between our two countries dates back over several centuries.Several thousand Swiss were living in Russia before the great revolution of 1917. Among them were several famous names: the architect Domenico Trezzini (editor’s note: Peter the Great commissioned himto participate in the construction of St-Petersburg), themathematician Leonhard Euler (editor’s note: he contributed to the creation of the Russian Academy of Sciences), as well as François Lefort, Peter the Great’s comrade in arms.We’re actually planning to erect a monument in his honour in Geneva in the near future. However, after the revolution, the links disappeared, only to reappear after the period of the iron curtain.And today? Today, links are well established: 70’000 Russians visit Switzerland each year, whereas half that number of Swiss visit Russia. Several events are being organised this year in Switzerland to mark the jubilees, which should help to put aside old prejudices.What prejudices are you thinking of ? I’m talking about the old fear of the Soviet Union.Has this fear not been replaced by newer prejudices? The old prejudices still exist. But it’s true that today they live side-by-side with new clichés: you often hear talk of the Russian mafia or the nouveaux riches, but these people constitute a very small portion of the population. It deforms the image of the real Russia. But the exhibition which is currently showing here at Neuchatel’s museum of archaeology shows that perceptions evolve and will also contribute to changing people’s mentality.What do you see as the main difference between the Russian and Swissmentality? It’s hard to say. We Russians are perhaps more open. The Swiss are more reserved.Do you sometimes miss the Russian steppes in mountainous Switzerland? There aren’t only steppes in Russia, but seas, lakes, forests…These days it’s possible to hop on a plane and be wherever you want in a few hours. It’s easy to satisfy any feelings of boredomor homesickness.You’ve just visited the Lateniumexhibition.

What piece interested you the most ? All the pieces are of great value, not necessarily in relation to their price, but because they represent the greatness of the human spirit. In admiring the collection, two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, I find it incredible that such refined and detailed pieces could have been made several thousand years ago. And secondly, I’m fascinated by the fact that these creations seem so much like work belonging to another time and place. It makes one think about the origins of mankind.