Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The photo exhibition “Petroglyphs and Rock Art of the Libyan Sahara” was officially unveiled at the Moscow House of Nationalities.
The event marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Libya, offering Muscovites a rare glimpse into the prehistoric soul of the Sahara.
The exhibition was co-organized by the Embassy of the State of Libya in the Russian Federation, the Commission for Public Security and People’s Diplomacy of the Council for Nationalities Affairs under the Moscow Government, and the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University, with broad diplomatic and cultural support from Russian embassies in Libya and Tunisia, Rossotrudnichestvo, and the Russian House in Tunisia.
On display were breathtaking photographic works by renowned historian and orientalist N.A. Sologubovsky, capturing vivid petroglyphs and ancient rock paintings scattered across Libya’s vast desert landscape. The exhibit explores four major epochs of Saharan rock art, from the Era of Hunters through to the Era of the Camel, illuminating a 10,000-year-long chronicle of humanity carved and painted onto desert stone.
Speaking at the opening, diplomats, scholars, and cultural leaders emphasized the exhibition’s importance as both an archaeological marvel and a diplomatic gesture. Representatives from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rossotrudnichestvo, and the academic community joined Libyan officials and foreign envoys to witness the unveiling.
“These rock arts are not just markings on stone—they are messages from the past, echoing across time to remind us of our shared humanity,” said one participant.
Notably, the exhibition also honored the contributions of A.B. Podtserob, former Ambassador of the USSR/Russia to Libya, and highlighted decades of Russian expeditions into the Sahara.
In addition to the photography, attendees were treated to a presentation of a new book on Libyan archaeology and screenings of Libyan and Russian documentary films. The exhibition serves as a cultural bridge during Libya’s transitional journey, symbolizing hope, unity, and mutual understanding.
Plans are already in motion to expand the exhibition to other Russian cities and international venues, continuing its mission of people’s diplomacy and intercultural dialogue.