Formal Assembly of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers

On 19 October 2001, in the Menshikov Palace, a Solemn Assembly of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers took place devoted to the memory of the club's first president, Nikita Alexeyevich Tolstoi. The assembly opened the club's 11th season.

The guests gathered in the Menshikov Palace: the consuls general of foreign countries, deputies of the Legislative Assembly, representatives of the St Petersburg municipal administration, noted scholars and performers, the heads of large companies, banks, enterprises, publishing houses and museums. In keeping with tradition, the assembly was opened by the club's president, Mikhail Piotrovsky. He reported on the club's involvement in the cultural life of the city and on new plans and projects.

The main aim of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers is the spiritual regeneration of the great city on the Neva. All its programmes are subordinated to this aim, including "Petersburg Evenings" that has been awarded a grant from the Soros Foundation, "Petersburg Addresses", "The Golden Fund of St Petersburg Theatres", "Multinational St Petersburg" and the youth programme "Tying a Broken Thread".

A new member joined the club—the celebrated mountaineer Mikhail Bobrov, who is an honorary citizen of St Petersburg. This year he made an ascent of Mount Elbrus and planted the pennant of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers on the summit.

The guests were shown the Book of Mars with marginal notes made in Peter the Great's own hand.

Mikhail Piotrovsky, president of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers,
and Valentina Orlova, the chairperson of the club's board

Valery Leonov, director of the Library of the Academy of Sciences,
presenting the Book of Mars

During the Assembly