The State Hermitage Report-2009 came off the press (Publishing House of the State Hermitage) in autumn of 2010. The Report is opened with the article of Director of the Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky Year of Amstelhof:

On 19 June, 2009 new housing of The Hermitage-Amsterdam Center-Companion was opened in the reconstructed building of the 17th century Amstelhof in Amsterdam in the presence of Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix and President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. With glittering of fireworks, imitating the fireworks of the age of Peter the Great a grand and having stunning effect exhibition Russian Imperial Court was open. Significance of this event for cultural life of Amsterdam and development of relations between Russia and the Netherlands is great. At the same time it is a part of the general strategy of the Hermitage, making Russian tradition of collecting, showing and interpretation of the world culture in all its diversity available to "the city and the world". Many of the events, happening this year are of the same range. The Hermitage-Kazan Center presented an amazing exhibition of the ancient art and mythology, surrounding it, as usual, with a wreath of diverse museum events. The Hermitage-Italy Center coordinated and carried out a series of exhibitions, seminars, reconstruction meetings and archeological arrangements across the Apennine peninsula. Large exhibitions in Yekaterinburg, Lipetsk, Astana, Tokyo, Turin, Pavia, Prato and etc. emphasized pioneer character of the Hermitage activity once again.

The Hermitage has broken the ground in development of exhibition projects, devoted to complicated historical and historical-cultural problems. Decision here is also in cooperative activity. Swedish museums participated in the exhibition of the Hermitage and the Kremlin’s Museums, dedicated to the Battle of Poltava. In this way historiographic "thaw period", started with the exhibition Peter I and Carl XII, continued. Another Hermitage novelty is the project of new art display The Hermitage 20/21. Exhibition Newspeak was bethought and accomplished as the exhibition-discovery, introducing the brand-new generation of British artists. In London it was shown after the Hermitage.

Diversity of the world culture is the main theme and ideological ground of the museum life and they are embodied with key permanent expositions of the Hermitage, renovated this year – Ancient Siberia, The Bosporan Kingdom, Culture of Japan, Dagestan Art. The opening was emphasized with spectacular exhibitions, dedicated to jewelry art of the Great Moguls’ epoch and the art of enamel in cultures of different countries. All this was surrounded with the series of scientific international conferences, having already become regular. International presence in the Hermitage both in the form of exhibitions and in the form of participation in panel discussions and sessions, as well as in trainings is growing constantly in spite of the crisis.

This year two miracles made us glad. The picture by Gerome Pool in a Harem returned on the museum’s walls after restoration. Being mysteriously stolen and returned in a strange manner, it required complicated work on its restoration, which has been performed by a young restorer under strict supervision of his senior colleagues. Once again we had an opportunity to see that traditions are not interrupted and new generations of the Hermitage staff have shaped well. As for the picture by Gerome, it has reated a new hall around itself, the hall of "orientalist" art. Another miracle is lucky acquisition in the thick of the crisis of a famous collection of Russian water colors. Now this collection has got right into the place where it will become the basis of numerous historic and art investigations which will multiply its cultural significance in many times.

The Hermitage continues its large work on provision of its immense collections in the form of temporary exhibitions and full collection catalogues. The Museum deliberately keeps the memory of its bright, though not always famous staff in the issues of the series Keeper, beloved by us and in publishing of archive recordings.

The Hermitage is one of the most democratic museums of the world. Its expositions are designed for the most different levels of perception – from the early one of a child to of an exquisite gourmet. Independent price system makes the museum free for almost half of its visitors and almost free for citizens of Russia. Numerous children’s clubs, lecture rooms, cycle lessons are free or paid symbolically.

The Museum tries to be a comfortable place for everyone. And once a year, only once, in June the Hermitage invites its friends who are ready to support the restoration program of the General Staff Building with serious financial contributions. In honor of the General Staff Building a large gala-reception is organized. In its basis is a unique program of one-day exhibitions and special musical and ballet programs in the museum halls.

This social event emphasizes another crowning achievements of the year – practical works in the Eastern wing of the General Staff Building, which will place the museum of art of the 19th-20th-21st centuries, started. Another stage of the Large Hermitage Conception is in its accomplishment. Practical preparation to the 250th anniversary of the Hermitage (2014) is on.

Photo report

At the Gala-Reception

Outset of works in the Eastern Wing of the General Staff

The Hermitage-Amsterdam Center building

At the opening of the exhibition At the Russian Court: Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century in the Hermitage-Amsterdam Exhibition Centre

At the opening of the exhibition Children of the Gods. Antique Heroes in Ancient and Modern Art in the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Centre

The Hermitage exhibition in the halls of the Textile Museum, Prato

The Hermitage exhibition in the Lipetsk Regional Art Gallery

At the Nicholas hall at the exposition Perfect Victory. To the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava

Exhibition Newspeak: British Art Now in the Winter Palace

Permanent exhibition Antiquities of Siberia

New permanent exposition of Japanese art

A hall of the new permanent exposition of Dagestan of the 14th-early 20th century

Restorer Maria Shulepova restores picture of Jean-Leon Gerome Pool in a Harem

Press conference devoted to the purchase by the museum of a collection of 92 water colors of Russian artists of the 19th century

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