On September 9th, Michael Rogatchi and his wife Inna Rogatchi participated in a warm, interesting and important event in Helsinki, Finland, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Library of the Helsinki Jewish Community.
In commemoration of the date, the artist donated to the library a museum giclee produced in only copy of his famous Heeding the Book painting:
At very well attended event, with presence of the Israeli Ambassador and The Head of the Mission to Finland , many leading Finnish intellectuals and academics, prominent members of the Helsinki Jewish Community, and foreign guests from Sweden, Italy, the UK and Israel Michael Rogatchi donated the museum replica of his artwork to the librarian Jutta Leffkowitsch and told briefly about the history and background of this special artwork.
In his speech, the artist remembered the essential importance of a subject of a book to his family, to every Jewish family, to Jewish tradition. He enlightened the public with reflections to his family story in which reading books for gathered family, friends and guests was a nightly tradition for years. Often, the books were read aloud in the light of a candles or oil lamps, in the absence of electricity. It is significant and always unique how children’s memories are appearing in adult’s creative works many years later.
Everybody present at the special event was highly appreciative to the artist for his gesture. The donated artwork will be placed on the new wall which the Helsinki community builds for the Library.
“There is everything in this fantastic work of Art: knowledge, curiosity, enlightening, attraction to intellectual power, spirituality. There is no doubt that this painting will stay in and with Helsinki Jewish community for good, in generations” – said in appreciation Paula Hovav, a senior community member.
