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Moscow exhibition center fears new attack of ultra-conservative activists on art exhibit

The leader of the Bozhya Volya (God’s Will) ultra-conservative movement says a 5,000-strong rally is planned against the exhibition

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. The leadership of the Manezh exhibition centre close to Moscow’s Red Square does not rule out a new attack on an art exhibition as the leader of the Bozhya Volya (God’s Will) ultra-conservative movement says a 5,000-strong rally is planned against it, Manezh director Irina Tolpina told Tass on Tuesday.

On Friday, members of Bozhya Volya vandalized "The Sculptures We Don't See" exhibition at the Manezh center, claiming that the exhibits were offensive to religious feelings. Early reports say five art works were damaged.

Irina Toplina blasted the incident as "heinous, lawless, provocative, stirring up horror and indignation". "We fear that the attack may be repeated," she added.

Mikhail Piotrovsky, the head of the Russian Museums Union, on Monday condemned last week’s attack on the art exhibition.

"The Russian Museum Union regards the actions of strange activists with hallucinogenic nicknames as a real display of blasphemy and religious offence," Piotrovsky said referring to the Bozhya Volya leader, Dmitry Tsorionov, widely known as "Enteo".

The incident was also condemned by ICOM (International Council of Museums) Russia.