The permanent director of the State Hermitage, honorary professor of KBSU Mikhail Piotrovsky turned 80

Jubilee celebrations dedicated to the 260th anniversary of the State Hermitage and the 80th anniversary of Mikhail Piotrovsky were held in St. Petersburg.

The permanent director of the famous museum is an honorary professor of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov and is a member of the university’s board of trustees.

The head of state congratulated the doctor of historical sciences, professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Arts, dean of the Oriental Faculty of St. Petersburg State University on his 80th birthday.

Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory telegram to the hero of the day, where he noted that under the leadership of Mikhail Piotrovsky, the State Hermitage became a global museum, one of the symbols and synonyms of world culture.

For his great contribution to the development of national culture and art and many years of fruitful work, Mikhail Piotrovsky was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st degree, by the Decree of the President of Russia.

Thus, Mikhail Borisovich became a full Cavalier of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

Albert Saralp, Director of the Hermitage-Caucasus Center of KBSU, took part in the anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg. On behalf of the university management, he presented Piotrovsky with a congratulatory address and a collectible porcelain work, «Circassian of Anapa», created jointly with the famous Imperial Porcelain Factory. It was released in a limited edition.

The product depicts the famous old watercolor by prince G.G. Gagarin from the Paris album Scenes, paysages, moeurs et costumes du Caucase («Scenes, landscapes, customs and costumes of the Caucasus») of 1845.

Congratulations to the director of the State Hermitage Museum, member of the Board of Trustees of KBSU Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky on his anniversary!

His contribution to the development of science and education at our university is difficult to overestimate. As a respected professor, he inspires students and colleagues with his outstanding example, commitment to knowledge and striving for excellence.

We wish you good health, new achievements and achievement of your goals. We hope for further cooperation and joint projects that unite education and culture!