Ayvazovsky for half a million. A painting by Armenian painter Ivan Ayvazovsky, which he called "Ferryboat and Boats on the Neva River, View from Saint Petersburg" was sold at an auction in San Francisco, for $512,000.

The small-size work, painted in 1875 belonged for many years to an American collector. After his death, his daughter, unaware that he possessed the original painting, decided to sell it at $3,000, but the auction center workers suggested, after a careful examination, to start with $60,000-80,000.

Back to Armenia. A cello, made by the Italian master Pietro Giovanni Guarneri in Cremona in 1685 that was for years kept in Ukraine, has been handed over to the Ministry of Culture and Education of Armenia by Armenian ambassador to Kiev Armen Khachatryan, reported Armenpress on January13.

The cello had been bought in 1948 from professor S. Aslamiazyan for a collection of rare unique musical instruments at 2,000 rubles. In 1982 it was given to Suren Bagratuni, a well-known Armenian cellist and a prize-winner at many international contests whose wife, Nina Khoma, took it to the Ukrainian city of Lvov in 1996 for performing a concert and since then it remained there.

For years Ukrainian officials did not allow bringing it back to Armenia saying it was brought to Ukraine undeclared.

Arshil Gorky in Armenia. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of painter Arshil Gorky, a museum of the painter is planned to be opened in Armenia. For the first time 55 works were brought to Armenia (drawings, watercolors, pen and oil paints), which used to belong to Gorky's sister. Before her death she willed all her brother's paintings over to the Holy See Saint Echmiatsin. However, it happened during Soviet times and paintings remained abroad those years.

The museum will be created in the building next to the patriarchal residence.

On Yerevan Stages …

January 21: Armenian Chamber Orchestra, directed by Aram Gharabekyan, presents a concert devoted to Archbishop Ashchian in Chamber Music Hall.

January 21: Choreographic State Theatre presents "Aram Khachaturyan "Eternity", with participation of Russian violinist Leonid Kogan, painter Robert Elibekyan and director Maksim Martirosyanin, in State Opera and Ballet Theater.

January 24: Armenian State Symphonic Orchestra will perform with popular singers Lusine Markosyan and Barsegh Tumanyan in Philharmonic Big Hall.