piotrovsky is commensurate with the Hermitage, and the Hermitage is commensurate with Russian culture.Proportional in the sense that academician DS Likhachev inserted into this concept. The great Russian culturologist believed that the greatness of a culture is determined by its brightest peaks and its highest achievements. The greatness of a people is its historical conquests, mass heroism and the scale of personalities chosen by people for their ideals, symbols of the Fatherland.
Mikhail Piotrovsky is among these symbols. Of course, today our heroes are those who defend Russia at the front, in the fight against Western aggression. Piotrovsky is at the forefront of those who defend our values on another, no less vital front, the cultural one.
But the significance of his personality was clear more than a quarter of a century ago. In the late 90s, after the collapse of the USSR and the serious successes of the West in the destruction of russia, Dmitry Likhachev and Daniil Granin asked me to organize the Congress of the St. Petersburg Intelligentsia, an informal movement of figures of science, culture, education, which in the 90s regularly communicated in joint research answers to the painful questions that the stormy course of life placed before them. Likhachev and Granin invited physicist Zhores Alferov, composer Andrei Petrov and actor Kirill Lavrov to join the executive committee of the Congress. All these people where spiritual and moral leaders of the older and more outgoing generation of residents of Leningrad-Petersburg. Mikhail Piotrovsky was then invited by the next generation.
Already at that time, a quarter of a century ago, his authority in this circle was enormous. The pillars of the st. Petersburg intelligentsia spoke of Mikhail Borisovich with admiration. and Piotrovsky continued his work with dignity.
Indeed, in the 1990s, when the practically collapsed state was being recreated in its death throes and officials had no time for museums, the very preservation of national cultural treasures came into question.And before the country was led by people concerned about its revival, many tragic years passed.
When the state proved capable of providing large-scale support to the cultural sector, it was obvious that Piotrovsky could be entrusted with the largest projects.
Today the Hermitage is one of the three most important museums on the planet according to international criteria. In fact, it is number 1 both in terms of advanced ideas and concepts and in their practical implementation.
Mikhail Borisovich, with a team of two thousand devotees of the museum, not only managed to ensure the impeccable work of the museum in its classical sense. The Hermitage is decades ahead of other leaders in the museum community.
Almost 30 years ago, Piotrovsky proposed his own museum concept, declaring that the State Hermitage is not only a major national museum of world culture, but also a state repository, a research institute, a cultural and educational institution and a historical and cultural center. architectural reserve.And already in our time he added what he had suffered: and also a referee, a teacher, a university student, an ambassador of the great Russian culture in the world. And here’s what was said the other day: “The main thing a museum does is to set an intelligent approach to all problems.”
And each of these aspects of a large institution is not only brilliantly implemented in practice, but has an unbelievable impact on the development of culture and society. Books can be written about each of these hypostases, and plenty of them.
Dmitry Likhachev said, speaking at our university events, that Russia’s special strength is not in its vast territories and natural riches, not in its economy and armed forces (although this cannot be avoided), but in our culture. But the power of culture is realized mainly by people who know how to use available resources for the benefit of the Motherland. But the talent of these people must match the scope of power and its history.
In his amazing and in many ways instructive creative path, the hero of the day became the greatest humanist scientist of St. Petersburg today, combining the unique abilities of an orientalist, a cultural scientist and a philosopher. It is indeed no coincidence that he headed the Scientific and Methodological Council for the Humanities in the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, created last year.
Our university recently published Piotrovsky’s book “Bridges of Culture”. Contains 87 works by the scientist and publicist. I will mention just a few titles: “The Museum in the dialog of Civilizations”, “Change of the Historical Discourse in the Museum”, “The history of the Hermitage as a History of Russian Culture”, “The Museum as a Historian of “Dialogue and Conflict of Cultures”” – and from this series it is indeed already clear how Piotrovsky’s scientific thinking is focused on the most pressing problems of our time, to the extent that his level of thinking differs from the everyday understanding of a museum as a simple collection of historical artifacts. Whatever the title, it is a topic for a doctoral thesis…
Since 2001, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Borisovich and I have been organizing the “International Scientific Readings of Likhachev” - the largest annual forum of humanities scholars in the world.
Mikhail Borisovich opens the “Readings” in the spirit of Likhachev himself – briefly, extremely clearly, aphoristically. This is a special talent: formulating the most important thoughts and ideas in just a few words, so much so that complex truths become extremely simple. Here, such as, is his phrase, which for me has become fundamental with respect to the question of dialogue between cultures: “Every person can live in multiple cultures”. The more you think about it, the more you understand the absurdity of conflicts based on cultural differences and see ways to prevent them…
I will provide some statistics (at the moment), which partly characterize the Hermitage’s influence on public consciousness and its role in the country’s culture. The total area of the buildings is 261,302 m2. m The total number of exhibitions is 3,188,579. The number of visitors per year is 3,188,300, including free tickets – 757,518, with the Pushkin Card – 104,227. The number of temporary exhibitions is 45, outside the Hermitage – 20 year about the Hermitage and mentioning the Hermitage in the media, more than 16 000 publications, a thousand recorded news stories.
I cannot help but notice that, despite all the successes of the museum headed by the hero of the day and the fact that he owns the most important insignia and awards of the Fatherland, Mikhail Piotrovsky remains an incredibly modest and sympathetic person, for me personally – l ideal of a noble man, a true St. Petersburg intellectual.
We wish Mikhail Borisovich everything we wish our dearest compatriots.
What are Mikhail Piotrovsky’s views on the role of museums in promoting cultural dialog?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Mikhail Piotrovsky
Editor: Good day, Mikhail Borisovich. Thank you for joining us today. Your leadership at the Hermitage has been instrumental in shaping not only the museum itself but also the cultural landscape of Russia. Let’s start with a bit of history. You were asked to be part of the Congress of the St. Petersburg Intelligentsia in the 1990s. What was that experience like for you as a young leader in a time of turmoil?
Piotrovsky: Thank you for having me.Being invited to participate in such a notable movement during a time of upheaval was both an honor and a profound duty.The early 90s were challenging; the country was grappling with its identity and the preservation of its cultural treasures was at stake. Our discussions were filled with a sense of urgency, as we sought to ensure that Russian culture didn’t just survive but thrived in the face of adversity.
Editor: It’s fascinating how your role has evolved alongside the Hermitage itself. from being a young voice among esteemed leaders like Dmitry Likhachev and Daniil Granin, you’ve now become a leading figure defending Russia’s cultural values. How do you perceive your role in fostering these values today?
Piotrovsky: My role is multifaceted. Today, I see myself as not only a caretaker of the Hermitage but also as a champion of Russian culture on a global scale. The Hermitage is not merely a repository of art; it is indeed a vibrant educational and cultural institution. Each day, we strive to bridge the past with the future, fostering understanding and gratitude for Russian cultural heritage. In this sense, we are all ambassadors of what it means to be Russian.
Editor: With the Hermitage now ranked among the top museums in the world, what do you believe has been the key factor in achieving this status?
Piotrovsky: The key has been our commitment to innovation while preserving tradition. When I proposed the concept of the Hermitage as a complete cultural institution, I envisioned it as more than just a collection of artifacts.We needed to engage with our community, promote education, and drive cultural discourse. This holistic approach has allowed us to not only maintain but also significantly enhance our operations and outreach, making us a leader in the museum world.
Editor: You mentioned the museum’s role in setting an “intelligent approach to all problems.” Can you elaborate on what that means in practice?
Piotrovsky: Certainly. For us, it means fostering critical thinking and dialogue within our exhibitions and educational programs. Museums have the potential to be catalysts for social change and understanding. By presenting our collections in a context that encourages discussion—be it about history, art, or culture—we can engage our visitors in meaningful ways.this,I believe,is the essence of a modern museum.
Editor: As you navigate your role within contemporary cultural and political landscapes, how do you measure success for the Hermitage and for yourself personally?
Piotrovsky: Success for the Hermitage can be quantified in various ways: visitor numbers, educational initiatives, international collaborations, and the preservation of our collections. Personally, I gauge my success through the impact we have on society. If the Hermitage inspires a new generation of thinkers, artists, and cultural advocates, that is a legacy I will cherish. Ultimately, it’s about nurturing a love and respect for our cultural heritage.
Editor: With the current global challenges and tensions, what do you envision as the future role of the Hermitage and, by extension, Russian culture in the world?
Piotrovsky: I believe the future of the Hermitage lies in our ability to remain a space for dialogue and understanding. Culture transcends borders, and in these challenging times, our role is to foster connections. We must continue to advocate for cultural exchange and understanding,positioning ourselves as a bridge between not only different cultures but also generations. Russian culture, with its rich history and profound insights, has much to contribute to the global conversation.
Editor: Thank you, Mikhail Borisovich, for your insights and reflections. It’s clear that your work at the Hermitage is not only about preserving the past but also about shaping a more interconnected and culturally aware future.
Piotrovsky: Thank you for the thoughtful questions. It has been a pleasure discussing these important matters with you.