The delegation of the China University of Political Studies and Law has paid an official visit to SPbU, with a specific focus on academic and student exchange programmes and joint educational programmes.

The awarding ceremony was held on the Russia’s Day June 12 at the Grand Kremlin Palace. The prizes were awarded by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. “The name of Mikhail Piotrovsky, his personality, his guiding principles, cultural code is deeply associated with the Hermitage. Still, he is regarded as an outstanding expert in Arab studies and Oriental studies in academic community. He can manage work-research balance”, — said Vladimir Putin.

The Hermitage, due to Mikhail Piotrovsky’s professional work and research, has become a symbol of transparency in Russia. The main Russian museum features classic and contemporary masterpieces and unique ancient artifacts.

Mikhail Pitrovsky said that it was a great honour for him to be awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation. “It means that our work at museums is recognized by the Government, and the Government fully understands that the museums are not only the links with the past, but with the future”, — said Mikhail Piotrovsky. SPbU Professor addressed creative and art professional communities to join the Hermitage’s art projects with Amsterdam, Venice, Shanghai, Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Vladivostok and other cities.

Let us remind that in autumn 2016 Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies Mikhail Piotrovsky was elected as academician of RAS. His contribution into historical science is highly lauded in the academic community: he was the first one to explore the South Arabia epic, to study what the Arabian roots of Islam are and how Muhammad gained the power, and to get an insight of how religion and secular life are balanced in Islam.