Mikhail Lomonosov and the Time of Elizabeth I Science Conference

From 23 to 25 November 2011 the Mikhail Lomonosov and the Time of Elizabeth I Conference, dedicated to the exhibition of the same name, was held at the Hermitage. It was attended by researchers from the State Hermitage and other museums and institutes in Saint Petersburg.

The conference’s themes were distinguished by their range and diversity. The main topic of the lectures read on the conference’s first day were investigations related to Lomonosov’s scientific work on electricity, the northern lights, chemical experiments, glass work and Russian history. Some lectures were discoveries in their field. In particular, the lecture Lomonosov’s Priorities in Studying the Northern Lights in Russia and Europe, accompanied by a film made at the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The conference was shown the internet atlas Lomonsov’s Earth with large-scale representation of the computer program.

Another conference topic was new research into archive materials dedicated to different aspects of the Russian scientist, as well as celebration of previous Lomonosov anniversary dates.

Special meetings were dedicated to lectures on Russian and West European Baroque art, with new information on the already well known 18th century monuments.

Conference materials are planned to be published in 2012 in the series Works of the State Hermitage. The many issues aspects of Russian and European cultural heritage touched on in the lectures will make this of interest to a wide circle of readers.