I have received an email from Viktor Suglob today with very sad news: their are closing the photo-museum in Minsk due to lack of funds and the collection is going up for sale in Belarus (he is trying to keep it in-country though)..
Here's a link to an article and video clips about this ordeal, unfortunately it's all in Russian, but at least the article you can run through google translator.
Very sad to see such unique and almost complete collection disband, I feel very sorry for Viktor and his friends since I know how much heart and soul went into that museum...
This is disasterous news. Many of us have not yet had the opportunity of visiting the museum and benefitting from the vast range of Soviet-made cameras that Victor and his colleagues have collected. This must surely be the most comprehensive collection of Soviet-made cameras anywhere in the world. It would be irresponsible for anyone to allow this collection to be split up, even though I would like to own many of the items. Surely the authorities in the city of Minsk realise the importance of this resource to their city. Is there nothing we can do collectively through USSRPhoto.com? After all we are a worldwide group and there is always strength in numbers.
Indeed, at this point I'm open for suggestions as I am not sure what can be done from here.. Also Viktor's goal is to keep the collection in Belarus and not export it if possible..
Very sad news... I totally agree with David Tomlinson. Can we cooperate together to mantain the collection? This should be the USSRPhoto Collection. It will be needed only to make a contract and call for volunteers in mantaining the collection where it is. Open to all suggestions Regards LP
Very sad news from Minsk....
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 6:08:06 PM
