The Hermitage Director Gives Press Conference on Paris Exhibition

On 10 July, 2003, Mikhail B. Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage, gave a press conference about the attempt of the French Association of Tsarist Bond Holders to arrest the Hermitage works of art exhibited at L’Hotel des Invalides in Paris.

The Director said he was sure the conflict would be resolved in accordance with the laws of the French Republic.

"The problem of claims concerning works of art does exist. This is an obstacle to the development of cultural links. Like all exhibitions showed by us abroad, in particular in France, this Paris exhibition is protected by the guarantee of return and immunity from arrest under legal claims.
Therefore, the Association’s acts contradict the laws of France. They undermine the festive mood created by the exhibition "When Russia Spoke French" which is a celebration of Russian-French friendship," said Mikhail B. Piotrovsky.

Document of immunity from third parties’ claims

MINISTERE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES,
MINISTERE DE LA CULTURE ET DE LA COMMUNICATION

Le minister des affaires étrangères et le minister de la culture et de la communication,
Vu la loi No. 94-679 du 8 août 1994 portant diverses dispositions d’ordre économique et financier, notamment son article 61,

ARRETENT

ART.1ER-: Les biens culturels prêtés par la Fédération de Russie – musée de l’Ermitage de Saint-Petersbourg, musée national d’histoire, musées du Kremlin et Archives nationals de Moscou – à l’Etat français (musée de l’Armée) organisateur de l’exposition "Paris - Saint-Petersbourg, 1800-1830. Quand la Russie parlait français" présentée au musée de l’Armée – Hôtel national des Invalides du 20 mai 2003 au 31 août 2003, sont insaisissables pendant la période de leur prêt à la France du 30 avril 2003 au 29 septembre 2003.

La liste des œuvres prêtées figure en annexe.

ART. 2 -: Le présent arrêté sera publié au Journal official de la République française.

Fait à Paris, le 7 avr. 2003

Le minister des affaires étrangères
Pour le minister et par delegation Laurent BURIN DES RIZIERS

Le minister de la culture et de la communication
Pour le minister et par delegation Francine MARIANI DUCRAY

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Culture and Communications

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Culture and Communications in accordance with Law No. 94-679 of 8 August, 1994, on various economic and financial decrees, in particular, Article 61, hereby rule:

Article 1: Cultural values provided for temporary use by the Russian Federation — The State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, The State History Museum, Museums of the Kremlin and The State Archive of the Russian Federation to the French state (Museum of Army) organizing the exhibition “Paris — St. Petersburg, 1800-1830: When Russia Spoke French” to take place in the Museum of Army at L’Hotel des Invalides from 20 May, 2003, through 31 August, 2003, shall be immune for the period while they are provided for temporary use to France from 30 April, 2003, through 29 September, 2003. List of the works of art provided for temporary use is given in the Appendix.

Article 2: This decree shall be published in the official Gazette of the French Republic.

Paris, 7 April, 2003

For and on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laurent BURIN DES ROZIERS
For and on behalf of the Ministry of Culture Francine MARIANI DUCRAY