“The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien…has asked to send his best wishes for a successful presentation.”
-David Miller, Director of Operations and Senior Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Ottawa, Canada

“I am very happy that a much needed and educative book about great people of Russia has been published. It will help Canadians to better know Russia and its history, which in turn will bring together the nations of Russia and Canada.”
-Vladislav Tretyak, three times Olympic champion, many times the world champion, One of the best hockey players of the 20thCentury. President of the Association of the Canadian-Russian Friendship, Moscow, Russia

“We in the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Montreal, highly appreciate Alexei Dymov’s efforts to contribute to the development of cultural exchanges between Russia and Canada, including his project on book publication”
-Igor Golubovskiy, Consul General, Montreal, Canada

“The Jewish National Fund (JNF) takes pride in acknowledging the outstanding artistic work of Alexei Dymov…and encourages Mr. Dymov to continue his pursuits of his new endeavor “Great Jews-Portraits and Beyond” knowing this his artistic talent and technical skills will result in a first class production.”
-Joe Rabinovitch, Executive Vice-President, Jewish National Fund of Canada, Montreal, Canada

“…Mr. Dymov’s portraits are intriguing and reflect many aspects of each subject’s history. In addition to being a book of general interest to readers, it could also be used in schools-both Jewish and non-Jewish to initiate research and discussion. I recommend this project as one worthy of support.”
-Eva Raby, Jewish Public Library, Executive Director, Montreal, Canada

“…Alexei Dymov channels his efforts, using his talents to promote worthy causes to bring peace to the world. His recent undertaking, “Great Jews” aroused special interest, portraying great Jews through history such us, Moses, Einstein etc… I feel privileged to have met this talented young artist and I hope to see him grow to great heights.”
-Haim Sherrf, One of the best Jewish-Canadian artists, Montreal, Canada

“…Mr. Dymov is an extremely ambitious and creative individual. His first publication, “Great Russians. Portraits and Beyond” is a wonderful collection of portraits. This project is impressive and shows a talent that we rarely see.”
-Shellie Ettinger, JIAS, Executive Director, Montreal, Canada

“…I was very impressed by Alexei Dymov’s talent. His first publication“Great Russians. Portraits and Beyond” is a wonderful collection of portraits. I have no doubt that his new project “Great Jews” will be as creative as his first.”
-Rabbi Israel Sirota, Jewish Russian Community Center of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

“This unique book presents in both word and picture an imaginative portrayal of important Russians whom all Canadians should know much more than we do.”
-Paul Austin, Chairman of Russian and Slavic Studies Department, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

“I think the project “Great Jews-Portraits and Beyond” is important for Jews all over the world. I wish Alexei Dymov much of success in developing the project and completing it. ”
-Sam Kliger, Director Russian Jewish Community Affairs, The American Jewish Committee, New-York, USA

“Alexei Dymov’s portraits of famous Russians, Canadians, and Jews are as he puts it “a visual language to help familiarize North American with my heritage.” Dymov memorializes heroic personalities, merging the lowly art of caricature with the high art of idealization. The individual physiognomy of each person-Kandinsky, Tchaikovsky, Freud, the Russian chess player-is captured in the outlines of the skull, the inner structure of the face, and the expressive hands. The attributes of these people are emphasized by the props and settings that define who they are. In this typology of famous people, creativity and intellectuality are often charged with a gentle humor that endears us to them.” /Russian Jewish Contribution in Art, Literature and Science/
-Dr. Loren Lerner, Department of Art History, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

“Le portrait russe is an amazing display of Russian talents and the best of both worlds, the tradition as well as contemporary approaches to portraiture. ”
-Heidi Hollinger, Heidi Hollinger Studio, Montreal, Canada

“The passion of Alexei Dymov and Creative Reflections for Russian Portrait from Icon to Present has inspired artists and amateurs to come together to appreciate and celebrate traditional art and historical figures in new perspectives.”
–Christine Killinger, Voyages Tourex Inc., Montreal, Canada

“Artist puts a face on Russia-from Stalin to Ivan the Terrible-about the book Great Russians “…I came to Canada and discovered a civilization. I’m not Christopher Columbus, but I think maybe I see things other people don’t see-about the book Canadian Celebrities.”
-Jeff Heinrich, The Gazette, Montreal, Canada

“Designed to introduce Western audiences to Russia’s most prominent figures in history, Alexei Dymov’s Great Russians: Portraits and Beyond entertains…”
-Diodora Bucur, The Suburban, Montreal, Canada

“Everyone is invited to a book presentation titled “Great Russians. Portraits and Beyond”, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Another book in making will feature famous Jews from Moses to Einstein…”
-Nancy Snipper, The Chronicle, Montreal, Canada

“By publishing this book, Dymov is trying very hard to introduce us to important figures in Russia and portray them as symbols of his country.”
-Karolina Krajewska, The Plant, Montreal, Canada

“Alexei Dymov spent 30 years in Russia…His images will help Canadians understand a bit more about Russian culture... ”
-Marilynn Vanderstay, The Westmount Examiner, Montreal, Canada

“...I would also like to remind the viewer to stop and consider the message behind such endeavors, namely that for our Grand Creator, there are no borders between Russia and Canada or any other nation or culture or race. Truly in this day and age, this is definitely cause for reflection.”
-Lucy R. Trahan, Chair of Illustration & Design, Dawson College, Montreal, Canada

“Alexei! There is no doubt about it: what you are doing is a beautiful and inspiring work.”
- Alexander Kopylov, Russian Humanitarian House, Montreal, Canada

“Alexei, I am delighted! The most important thing that you do your favorite job and you do it very good…”
-Shamil Makhmutov, Moscow, Russia

“Dear Alexei! Congratulations with first book! Good luck!”
-Valeri Kogan, Toronto, Canada

“Dear Alexei, Your book is going to succeed. I believe it will be a great seller. One last thing, your drawings are also very interesting...”
-Tim Murphy, Associate Director Author, Services 1st Books Library, Bloomington, U.S.A.

“Dear Mr. Dymov: ... It seems that you may have the type of work we would be interested in bringing into print as a Dorrance title…We have examined your manuscript, "Russians", and we would be pleased to publish it…”
-Colleen Knezevich, Dorrance Publishing, Pittsburgh, U.S.A

“Dear Mr. Dymov, …With your new Canadian citizenship and your Russian heritage, you are in a unique position to educate those unfamiliar with Russian culture. I especially enjoyed the illustrations …”
-Reyna Just, Editorial Department, Random House Canada

“Dear Mr. Dymov: …Your concept is ambitious and commendable: a book that celebrates Russian achievements would indeed do much to improve Western conceptions of the East. Your illustrations are also top-notch!”
-Shoreline, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada

“Dear Alexei Dymov, your book, Russians sounds like an interesting, and original piece of work…”
-Kyla Madden, Editor, McGill-Queen´s University Press, Canada

“Alexei - Your artwork is fantastic.”
-Jim Barnes, Managing Editor, "Leading the World of Bookselling in New Directions"

“Alexei, Congratulations! You really are making incredible progress here in Canada. It looks good for your future. ”
-John C. Owen, Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Past Grand First Principal of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Quebec, Canada

Letters