On 27 May 2024, in the run-up to the International Day for Protection of Children (on 1 June), the museum hosted the Hermitage Gathers Friends! charitable event.
The State Hermitage and the Great Bear regional charitable movement came together to organize the now traditional festive occasion for children with health-based disabilities, their parents, pupils and teachers of special day and boarding schools, and children from orphanages.
Staff from the Hermitage’s Department for Scientific and Educational Work conducted guided tours that introduced the children to masterpieces of the museum’s collections. For the majority of the youngsters, this represented their first acquaintance with world culture. Contact with beautiful and eternal art aids psychological and emotional release and also the social adaptation of children with disabilities.
After the tours, the guests were invited to the Hermitage Theatre for a performance that featured students of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and Boris Eifman Dance Academy.
Before the start of the show, the audience were greeted by Svetlana Adaksina, Deputy General Director and Chief Curator of the State Hermitage: “It is not for nothing that this charitable event bears the title ‘The Hermitage Gathers Friends’. You are our friends – and our attitude towards friends is, of course, a special one. We want to find something to please you, something to surprise you, to show you something special. And today we will be seeing a wonderful performance that I hope you will all enjoy.”
Alexander Zimin, Director General of the Great Bear regional charitable movement, also expressed his best wishes to the children.
After the show was over, the children were presented with gifts.
