Information Communique from the State Hermitage Museum

The State Hermitage would like to inform the public about the following:

Taking into consideration a number of press materials covering an “increase” of the entry ticket prices the State Hermitage has to clarify its social policy. Despite an abrupt cut in the state subsidies and an apparent economic disadvantage of the current pricing strategy, the Hermitage will keep all the old ticket prices until May 10. In a situation when Russian rouble is falling, this helps tourist companies gain considerable financial advantages and inflicts losses on the museum. After May 10 the prices will be reconsidered.

Nevertheless, the State Hermitage will continue to pursue its social policy. We would like to remind the public that the museum provides free admission to children and students regardless of their nationality, as well as to Russian senior citizens and privileged categories of visitors, all of them combined constituting approximately 50% of all guests. The Hermitage is the only museum that admits people in for free for one day on a monthly basis.

The State hermitage will regulate its pricing policy taking into account the general economic trends prevalent in the country.

The State Hermitage would like to emphasise that even with the scheduled price change it still remains the most open and affordable museum in our country