Kennedy

Senator Edward Kennedy, the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, made one of the strongest impressions among all the distinguished guests who visited the Costakis home museum. This visit took place in April of 1974. According to the collector's memoirs, the day before, he and his wife had been cleaning the apartment all day (they even had to buy a new carpet) and were terribly worried. But Kennedy immediately impressed the owners with his openness, ease, and sincere interest in art. Contrary to the protocol, he stayed with Costakis for almost 4 hours and later said that it was the most luxurious reception to which he was invited not only in Russia, but also in America - the table was laden with food, the flame of candles was reflected in the frames of the icons.

However, Kennedy's visit to the collector had negative consequences as well. A few days earlier, the senator had met with Jewish dissidents, so his visit to Costakis was regarded by the secret services as an anti-Soviet action as well.