On the 5th of November an exhibition of a member of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan, Almaty famous watercolourist Juriy Schneiderman called "Landscape Romanticism" took place in the showroom of Hesed "Polina". It was the eleventh personal exhibition of Juriy Samuilovich in this hall. Twice a year "Mitsva" Association arranges an exhibition of this remarkable artist and each time it surprises public with completely new collection. On the opening day more than sixty people - old admirers of the master’s talent, members of the Jewish community and participants of creative clubs of Almaty - attended the event. New to the viewers, paintings of landscapes of Almaty surroundings and picturesque streets of the overseas cities, which Juriy Samuilovich visited, hang on the walls on that autumn day. As a front-line soldier Juriy Schneiderman marched through half of Europe during the war, then studied, worked and travelled in the Soviet Union and abroad. The artist’s memory stores images of more than hundred cities and he lays them down on paper causing viewers’ constant appreciation.

There were not enough seats for all the spectators in the hall and younger people had to stand. The meeting was attended by the President of the Association "Mitsva" Alexander Baron, the Director of Hesed "Polina" Inessa Chugainova and the Director of Republican Jewish Library Galina Korobkina. Alexander Baron said in his opening speech:"The autumn rain pours buckets outside, but inside it feels as if the room dimensions are enlarged and sky is elevated thanks to Juriy Samuilovich's pictures. We are always happy to see you and your works; they contain so much warmth and light. Long life to you".

Juriy Samuilovich told the spectators that he has worked with watercolours for a long time; it goes back to famous "Fridays" of Ivan Stadnichuk. He was a participant 146 exhibitions, 40 of which were personal. "I would like to thank "Mitsva" Association, Hesed "Polina" and Galina Korobkina for your warm concern and interest to my work. I feel at home here and it is always pleasant to be with you. Recently my fourth book of verses, watercolours and photos titled "With scratch of feather and wave of brush" was published."

Then friends, colleagues and associates - Leonid Girsh, the Colonel of reserve and a personal friend of the artist, Igor Petrakov, the Director of the Gallery "Vernisage", Maya Belikova and Felix Perlov, who represented the author’s co-workers of thirty years from the plant, Agnessa Shin and Ivan Raldugin from "Gem" Association, Gennadiy Maryukhin, the Director of the Central Radio and a member of the Studio "Friday"- delivered their speeches. Everyone said many kind words of admiration, but I especially remember remarks of Felix Perlov, the Chief designer of the Kirov Plant: "Watercolours by Schneiderman hung in the club, in the clinic, in the plant next to the portraits of the leaders. The leaders are gone, their portraits were taken off, but watercolours of Yuri are still there. It proves that fine art is everlasting. I am pleased to note that in this case talent is combined with an intelligent, kind and bright personality."

Yuriy Schneiderman read verses from the new book and shared his plans. Being a generous person he revealed the secrets of his craftsmanship to all interested. The guests of the artist did not part for a long time. On this rainy day everyone found it very enjoyable to stay in the community to talk and listen to the author of "Landscape romanticism" over a cup of tea.

Ludmila Starodubova