On 28 February 2021, we lost Valentina Trofimovna Orlova, the chairwoman of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers for an unbroken span of 30 years, the soul of a unique community of people united by their love for the Great City.
Mikhail Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage and President of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers, expressed his condolences to Valentina Trofimovna’s family and friends.
“Her inexhaustible energy, organizational talent, erudition, powers of persuasion and all-conquering charm accomplished wonders in the realization of some incredibly bold projects. For her, there were no unachievable ideas. She made partners and kindred spirits of citizens, distinguished scholars and cultural figures, people with influence in the city. All that in order to preserve and pass down to posterity the “Petersburg style”, an aesthetic environment worthy of a Petersburger.
“Valentina Trofimovna Orlova was a friend, a fellow fighter and kindred spirit. This beautiful woman will remain in the hearts of citizens and the city’s memory for many, many years to come.
“I mourn her deeply, with a sense of irreparable loss.
M.B. Piotrovsky, President of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers”
Valentina Orlova was an active participant in Saint Petersburg life in the sphere of culture and education. She chaired the board of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers from the moment of its foundation and also chaired the editorial board of the Library of the Worldwide Club of Petersburgers publishing project. She was the club’s official representative in the Civic Chamber attached to the President’s representation in Saint Petersburg, chair of the organizational committee of the Star of Prometheus international competition, chair of the jury of the international competition for the Dashkova Prize, a member of the organizing committee for the annual city local history conference for school pupils and much else besides. Valentina Orlova was among the recipients of the medal commemorating the Tercentenary of Saint Petersburg.
