Dear President Peter Maurer, Secretary General As Sy,

Dear Dr. Anna Gromova, distinguished colleagues,

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to present this unique exhibition in the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The long history of charity and philanthropy in Russia is based on the Christian tradition and our national culture, which has always encouraged Russian Tsars, Emperors and nobility to generously contribute to extensive humanitarian activities of numerous medical, social and religious institutions. The Russian Red Cross Society is one of the oldest Red Cross organizations in the world, and its early history is closely linked to the royal family and the nobility of the Russian Empire.

In 1867, inspired by the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Russian Emperor Alexander II established the “Community for Care for the Sick and Wounded Soldiers” to be later transformed into the Russian Red Cross Society. The Russian royal family also generously supported Mr. Henry Dunant – the founder of the ICRC, here in Switzerland. 

The exhibition «Mercy in the History. Contribution of Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna to the Activities of the Russian Red Cross Society» is based on in-depth research and rigorous selection of archive materials. Thanks to enormous work done by the “Elizabethan and Sergius Enlightenment Society” Foundation today we have a unique opportunity to retrace the early history of the Russian Red Cross and the outstanding role of Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna as the life and soul of this Movement.   

I would also like to welcome the invaluable contribution of ICRC to this exhibition.

I’m convinced that today, when so many countries and regions are torn apart by armed conflicts and disasters, this exhibition is a timely reminder of everlasting principles of mercy and charity, as well as of the self-sacrificing mission of saving lives and dignity daily carried out by humanitarian organizations, their delegates and volunteers all over the world.  

I would like to once more thank Miss Gromova for creating this exhibition and bringing it to Geneva. I’m also grateful to the UN Office for supporting this important event.