Press conference dedicated to the beginning of B.B. Piotrovsky’s anniversary year at the State Hermitage Museum

On 13 February 2008, at the Hermitage Theatre a press conference was held to mark the beginning of B.B.Piotrovsky’s anniversary year at the State Hermitage Museum. Boris B.Piotrovsky (1908 - 1990) was an eminent archaeologist, orientalist and historian who was the director of the State Hermitage Museum from 1964 to 1990. Among the press conference participants were M.B.Piotrovsky, director of the museum, and S.N.Yevtushenko, artistic director of the Hermitage Music Academy and the regularly organized Musical Hermitage festivals.

On 14 February (B.B.Piotrovsky’s birthday) lectures are traditionally read in his memory. As part of this event, researchers from different research departments of the State Hermitage Museum present informal reports on their activities dealing with the numerous problems of history of both Western and Oriental art from the Neolithic times well into the 20th century.

The anniversary year programme of events is opened with three major exhibitions: Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky. 100 Anniversary, In Palaces and Tents: The Islamic World from China to Europe and Treasures of the Sarmatians - from the Azov Museum of History, Archaeology and Paleontology.

On 17 February 2008, at the State Hermitage Museum the opening ceremonies for the V International Musical Hermitage festival will take place. This year the festival is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Boris B.Piotrovsky. Its programme is traditionally versatile including music of different epochs and styles, from J.S.Bach’s compositions to jazz. Among participants of the festival will be musicians from France, Poland, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Greece and Great Britain.

The Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky. 100 Anniversary exhibition on display in the Picket Hall of the Winter Palace consists of approximately two hundred items, including material from the archives and numerous prizes.

The huge academic legacy left by Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky (consisting of more than 500 written works) is represented by selected monographs and articles, catalogues and albums about the State Hermitage Museum which were either written or edited by him. Numerous photographs are associated with B.B.Piotrovsky’s work in the State Hermitage Museum, on archaeological expeditions, travels and business trips.
The discovery and study of the ancient kingdom of Urartu which existed in the Caucasus in 9th-6th centuries BC, established a new area for historical research called urartology. The results of excavations undertaken, their study and the publication of the richest findings brought the scholar worldwide fame and state awards. The monuments of Urartian art and culture were displayed in memory of the Academic Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky.

During the anniversary year there are a number of festive events dedicated to the memory of B.B.Piotrovsky which are to be held at various museums and other cultural institutions. Thus, for example, at the State Hermitage Museum there will be At the Foot of Ararat, a topical exhibition featuring more than a hundred items from the History Museum of Armenia. Finally the academic’s most famous books have been prepared for reprinting: Vanskoye Tsarstvo (The Van Kingdom) and Istoriya I kultura Urartu (History and Culture of Urartu) as well as a series of post stamps devoted to the State Hermitage Museum.

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