For more news & videos visit ☛http://english.ntdtv.com<br /><br />An exhibition on the friendship between Russian emperor Alexander II and U.S. president Abraham Lincoln is on display in Moscow.<br /><br />200 authentic artifacts from the state museums, foundations and private collections of Russia and the United States archive the activities of the two leaders.<br /><br />The exhibition tells Russians about a brief but important period of history in the last two centuries.<br /><br />Diplomatic relations between Russia and the U.S. became stronger during the American Civil War.<br /><br />At that time, Alexander II supported Lincoln in his quest to save the American Union.<br /><br />[John Byerly, U.S. Ambassador to Russia]:<br /><br />[...]<br /><br />The fates of both leaders are surprisingly similar.<br /><br />Almost in unison, Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln had a landmark reform.<br /><br />In 1861, the Emperor of Russia powered the emancipation for the serfs.<br /><br />Two years later, in 1863, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing black slaves from captivity.<br /><br />[Elena Chirkova, Exhibition Curator]:<br /><br />[...]<br /><br />Personal correspondence between the two rulers is presented for the first time in Russia.<br /><br />Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln never met, but address each other in their letters as "Dear friend" or "Good friend."<br /><br />A monument created by a Russian sculptor and representing the alliance between the two powers stands at the entrance to the exhibition.<br /><br />[Alexander Burganov, Sculptor]:<br /><br />"It is a symbolic sculpture. It depicts the emperor and the president, who made the most important friendship -- they're shaking hands with each other. This handshake, located in the center of the composition, is a symbolic key."<br /><br />The fate of both reformers ended tragically.<br /><br />There are displays depicting the political assassination of Abraham Lincoln, as well as the terrorist act against the Russian Tsar.<br /><br />The exhibition continues until the end of March at the Federal Archives' Exhibition Hall.<br /><br />NTD News, Moscow, Russia.
