The lunch was served in the Adam van Ederen salon of Kasteel Erenstein. It consisted of among others baked coquilles and roistered deer fillet. Gorbatschow appeared to be a gastronome. He was very interested in the recipes and the white and red wines that were served, a white and red Bourgogne.
Gorbatschow also showed great interest in the mutual history. Camille Oostwegel told him about the visit of Tsar Peter the Greatest to Château Neercanne (1717) and showed him the equestrian statue of the Tsar that was made by the Russian artist Taratynov. Taratynov is also known of the bronze night-watchman at the Rembrandt square in Amsterdam and the statue of d’Artagnan in Maastricht. A famous resident of Kasteel Erenstein in the 17th century was sculptor Gabriël de Grupello, one of his most beautiful ivor crucifixes is still in the Hermitage of St. Petersburg. Taratynov lately made a statue of De Grupello for the castle garden of Kasteel Erenstein.
Gorbatschow and the Russian ambassador were delighted to stay in the region of d’Artagnan. They are both big admirers of d’Artagnan. Camille Oostwegel told them about the search for the grave of d’Artagnan and Gorbatschow stated that he would love to be informed when the grave is found. Gorbatschow was in Kerkrade together with his granddaughter to receive the Martin Buber-Plaquette 2008. This price is awarded to persons who fight for human rights and who try to find a dialog among different people and cultures in fighting this, just like the philosopher Martin Buber (1878 – 1965) always did.
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Former President Michail Gorbatschow visited Kasteel Erenstein
14 November 2008 - Former President of the Soviet Union, Michail Gorbatschow held a press conference at Kasteel (Castle) Erenstein this morning. After the press conference he had lunch with the mayors of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath, the Russian ambassador, the council of the Euriade and Camille and Judith Oostwegel.
