On 16 September, talks were held at the Vatican on the creation in 2016 of a joint exhibition entitled “Biblical Subjects in the Museum Collections of Russia and the Vatican.”
.” The project was initiated by the President of Russia and the Patriarch of Rome. Taking part in the negotiations: Vatican Museum Director Antonio Paolucci, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation Mikhail Shvidkoi, representatives of Vatican museums and members of the Russian museum community, including Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovsky.
On 17 September, Mikhail Shvidkoi and Mikhail Piotrovsky met with Giampaolo D’Andrea, Cabinet Leader at the Italian Ministry of Culture. Discussions centered on joint cultural projects, in particular – the projects of the “Hermitage – Italy” Foundation, timed to coincide with the Hermitage’s 250th jubilee. The Italian side noted the growing importance of cultural projects against the backdrop of heightening international tension.
Also on 17 September, Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovsky and Executive Director of the “Hermitage – Italy” Foundation, Maurizio Cecconi, met with Cabinet Leader of the Italian Government Graziano Delrio and Italy’s Deputy Economic Minister Pier Paolo Baretta. Discussions covered the Foundation’s work results and plans on the eve of the Hermitage’s 250th jubilee (seminars, conferences, press briefings, internships, catalog publications, exhibitions). The Italian side affirmed its readiness to continue its support of the Foundation – particularly in view of the importance of preserving friendship and cooperation ties between the peoples of Italy and Russia during today’s tense times. The Italian Government published an official press release on the meeting (http://www.governo.it/GovernoInforma/Comunicati/dettaglio.asp?d=76682).
The Foundation’s next events, scheduled for October, will include the roundtable “Expertise of the Best Museums” in Venice, a Hermitage press conference in Milan, talks on the automotive design exhibition at the Hermitage and other joint projects. Italian colleagues congratulated the Hermitage on its naming as the Best Museum in Europe and one of the three best museums in the world according to the TRIPADVISOR website (http://www.tripadvisor.ru/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cMuseums)
