The Hermitage – winner of the nationwide competition ‘Golden Ten of Petersburg -2003’

On 11 March 2004 the awards ceremony for finalists and winners of the nationwide competition ‘Golden Ten of Petersburg – 2003’ took place in the Palace of Congresses in the St Petersburg suburb of Strelno. The State Hermitage, represented by museum director Mikhail B. Piotrovsky, was awarded the Badge of Merit and a Winner’s Diploma in the category ‘Symbol of St Petersburg’.

The finalists of the ‘Golden Ten – 2003’ competition were selected in an unusual manner. Sociologists conducted a survey of 3,000 inhabitants of cities in Russia. It is interesting that many of those questioned had never been in St Petersburg but they know its history well. Russians have formed certain stereotypes about the Northern Capital: the symbol of the city is the Hermitage; the greatest contribution to the development of Russia was made by Peter I; and the main feature of city folk in the Northern Capital is that they are cultivated. Sociologists were surprised that the answers frequently coincided regardless of the differences in age, profession, and social status of those polled.

(compiled on the basis of reports in the media)

Diploma in the category - "Symbol of St Petersburg"