Since the city foundation the in the Northern Andrey Mushkarev, capital was the time of bright cultural events and festiv- ities, therefore we have tried to make Chairman Saint Petersburg Committee for more interesting for the visitors this year: the events cal- Tourism Development endar includes festivals and holidays for any taste, and at the numerous markets you can choose memorable gifts for the relatives and friends. The hoteliers have taken care about the winter visitors: traditionally they prepare special offers and actions. Saint Petersburg theaters or- ganize large concerts and museums represent new pro- grams and projects.

Our city is safe and comfortable destination, we are wel- coming guests at any time of the year. The project “Win- ter days in Saint Petersburg” will allow to see the Northern capital as a snowy beauty.

Discover fabulous Saint Petersburg! Saint Petersburg is a city which will give you unforgettable impressions and the real winter fairy tale!

Dear guests!

Saint Petersburg is the northern city and it is not surpris- ing that its charm opens in winter! This is the time when the feeling of the fairy tale and the forthcoming magic soars around.

Many writers and poets sang of Saint Petersburg winter in their sketches and writings but not the white nights. The Russian winter is famous throughout the world. In December, January and February the ensemble of squares, embankment, gardens and parks are covered with snow that makes cityscapes especially beautiful. The gold-plated spires and domes glisten under cap of snow and evening city, illuminated by the thousand lights, looks festively. +7(812) 242-39-09 www.visit-petersburg.ru [email protected]

Explo Snt ersbg !

Welcome to Saint Petersburg City Tourist Information Bureau!

Saint Petersburg City Tourist Information Bureau wel- There are 12 tourist information points in the city, lo- comes the guests in its offices and pavilions! It is the big- cated near the main tourist attractions and the trans- gest and most experienced tourist information center in port hubs. 10 tourist information points work in winter . time: offices on 14 Sadovaya Ulitsa, 37 Sadovaya Ulitsa, and 25 Millionnaya Ulitsa, pavilions on Isaakievskaya Saint Petersburg City Tourist Information Bureau was Ploschad, Dvortsovaya Ploschad (near the Hermitage founded in 2000 as the first in the Russian Federation Museum), Vosstaniya Ploschad, near the Peter-and-Paul state information tourist service. The Bureau aims to Fortress, at and Pulkovo Outlet Village. provide information support for the visitors and locals, Saint Petersburg City Tourist Information Bureau offers promote Saint Petersburg at the international and na- its guests free city maps, city guides, information on tional tourist markets, assist the development of tourism the city’s attractions and events. In winter time infor- in St. Petersburg, and improve the quality of tourist ser- mation points are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., infor- vices provided by specialists of tourism industry of the mation point at Pulkovo - from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saint city. Petersburg City Tourist Information Bureau is closed on public holidays.

2 +7(812) 242-39-09 www.visit-petersburg.ru [email protected]

Explo Snt ersbg !

3 December 24, 2016 - January 8, 2017 Everyone can bring presents for children from orphan- ages and put them into a special box near Ded Moroz’s St. Petersburg House. The traditional actions “ Postcard” (Rozhdestvenskaya vestochka) and “Holiday Call” Christmas Fair (Prazdnichny zvonok) will take place this year. The aged people and students from different parts of Russia can Pionerskaya Ploshchad, send a postcard or make a call to their loved ones who “Pushkinskaya” metro station live very far.

December 26 – December 30, 2016 Laser Show - 2017

Palace Square (Dvortsovaya ploshchad)

Pionerskaya Ploshchad in front of the Theater of Young Spectators named after Bryantsev becomes the center of holiday festivities.

Every day from 12.00 till 10 p.m. the houses of mer- chants from Russia and many countries of the world will welcome the visitors. The guests will get to know about Russian traditions, culture of different regions of Russia and even of different countries, how the Italians and Germans celebrate Christmas, what songs Indians The laser show at the Dvortsovaya ploshchad has al- and Chinese sing and what Latvians and Swiss eat! The ready become traditional. 3D-mapping, video and laser visitors are invited to taste national dishes of Russian re- projection equipment, VJ performances are involved in gions cuisine, buy souvenirs and make traditional gifts the show. with their own hands. The facade of the General Staff Building will become a Those who like active leisure can enjoy skating on the ice huge screen where the audience will see the rink in the open air. Children can take a photo with Ded fairy tales on. New light technology will change the Moroz (Russian ), participate in enter- building into new one. tainment programme and competitions. Every day of the Fair will be special: “The Day of the VJ performers will create a completely new audio-visual Fairy Tale”, “The Day of Traditional Crafts”, “The Day works in front of thousands of spectators by means of of Good Deeds”, “The Day of Treats”, “”, light energy, space and music. Everyone will be invited “Koleda” (an ancient pre-Christian winter festival), to imagine oneself a hero of a beautiful Christmas story. “The Day of Fair Maiden and Fair Man” and many, many more.

4 December 27, 2016 - January 8, 2017 February 26, 2017 The New Year’s Festival of Traditional Fair in Gatchina Culture “Roar, Maslenitsa

Gatchina Palace and Estate Museum festival” gatchinapalace.ru Sergei Kirov Central Park of Culture and Recreation, Elagin Island elaginpark.org

The New Year’s Fair is a great festival for children and adults. For the fifth time it takes place in the Gatchina Palace and Estate Museum. Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic folk holiday. Festival of Traditional Culture “Roar, Maslenitsa festi- You can visit a real Russian fair in front of the Gatchina val” is joyful festivities which have become an annual Palace, buy handmade New Year souvenirs and organic tradition. farm products, try yourself as a blacksmith and even ride a reindeer! The program of the event includes several concert stag- es, cheerful competitions for families, special surpris- The festival offers various thematic programs. The chil- es for visitors who wear traditional Russian costumes. dren Room waits for visitors to make some New Year Everyone will find the way to entertain: to listen to the souvenirs. The Priory Palace has prepared an interactive cheerful “chastushka” (traditional type of short Eastern workshop on making Christmas and New Year gifts. Slavic humorous folk song) and legends, to know about traditional crafts, to learn the Cossack trick riding, to take part in amusing competitions, to taste Russian pan- cakes with different toppings. The holiday ends by burning a huge effigy of Maslenitsa!

5 February 18, 2017 The Winter Evening of Light in Tsarskoye Selo

Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve tzar.ru

The Winter Evening of Light in Tsarskoye Selo is a part of the international museum project “The Gardens of Light”. The event takes place simultaneously in the Ła- zienki Park (Poland), the Muskau Park (Germany), the park of the Prince Gong Mansion (China), the Château de Lunéville (France) and Frederiksborg Castle (Dan- mark). The idea of this project came in 2013 in Warsaw during the meeting of the museums’ directors of Poland, Russia, France, Germany and China. Tsarskoye Selo joined the project in 2014.

6 Interview one should not miss an opportunity to see Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece - The at the , where it premiered over 120 years ago. The world famous Herold U.Held , housed at the Imperial Winter Pal- ace, plays a great part in the winter cultural journey of- General Director hotels Astoria and Angleterre fering outstanding art collections and keeping busy its schedule of special exhibitions openings.

The beauty of winter in St. Petersburg and its surround- ings will impress the most demanding travellers. Ice- glazed trees, snow-covered cathedrals and palaces spar- kling under the sun brighten up the city and transform it into a white winter wonderland. The best way to en- joy it is to try all the traditional fun outdoor activities. On a sunny winter day it is a pleasure to try ice skating in Elagin park, sliding from the ice-run in Tavrichesky Garden and of course taking a sleigh ride on a troika in Pushkin or Pavlovsk. Cover up in a warm woolen blanket or even try on valenki boots and glide along the crispy snowy trails pulled by three steam-breathing horses in traditional laces with a compulsive accompa- niment of jingling bells. The best way to complete a true Russian winter experience is to warm up with a cup of tea straight from an antique samovar together with Rus- sian blinis at the legendary Hotel Astoria in the heart of St. Petersburg. Finally, I am convinced that St. Petersburg is the most romantic Russian city, especially when winter comes with its dreamy twilight, decorated trees, buildings and bridges and warm street lights reflected in the ice-cov- ered canals. Simply imagine what unforgettable and ro- mantic memories winter holidays in St. Petersburg can bring.

What special offers do Hotel Astoria and Angleterre Hotel have for the winter season 2016/17?

At Hotel Astoria and Angleterre Hotel we want our guests to make the most out of their stay in St. Peters- What do you think makes St. Petersburg burg in winter and offer favourable conditions for guests attractive in winter? who prefer to stay two or more nights with us. In our winter packages we traditionally include complimentary Winter in St. Petersburg is a magnificent time of the year, breakfast as we know that you would need the energy for full of mystery and wonder, which inspired Russian clas- a good start of a winter day full of fun activities. sics in the past and keeps charming guests of the city to- day. Over the centuries wintertime was associated with The winter season in St. Petersburg is a perfect time for grand balls in palaces and theatre premiers as the Impe- a family trip with children as it is a time of colourful rial family returned to their winter residences in St. Pe- handmade toys, traditional sweets, numerous festive tersburg. It holds true until today as the winter season is shows and much more. Thus in this magical time of full of cultural events what makes it a perfect time to get the year, in addition to our permanent program “Fam- a real feel of the life of the city. It goes without saying that ilies R Forte”, Hotel Astoria offers special amenities for

7 kids such as treats and special Teddy Turndown Service, which would make them feel like home. Parents would be delighted to know about kids’ meal promotions and a possibility to have the second interconnected room for two children at half price.

And of course Russian New Year’s Eve celebration is something that everyone has to experience. We invite guests to celebrate it in the best traditions of Imperial Russia at Hotel Astoria with live music, dance perfor- mances and an exquisite festive dinner by our French Executive Chef Serge Fery. Angleterre Hotel prepares a fabulous New Year show and dinner in the style of “Ro- man Holiday” movie at Borsalino restaurant.

We’re looking forward to spending this magical winter time together at Hotel Astoria and Angleterre Hotel!

8 9 Petersburg — I cannot live without this city. It is the only place where I must wear a tie. And there’s another situ- ation in Paris or Rome, you always can have a way with Winter Program in them, what is impossible with St. Petersburg. It is a mys- D.D. Shostakovich tical city, which doesn’t allow anyone too close, even its Saint Petersburg honorary “citizens.” Academic Philharmonia St. Petersburg is a teacher of my life time. This city influ- enced me very much: its history, culture and traditions. I cannot imagine living somewhere else. Of course, I like traveling, visiting different places of the world, but I want and I can live only in St. Petersburg. Although Interview “legally” this is neither my birthplace nor place of my origin, but this is my city. Yuri Temirkanov I know all the capitals of the world, but the only city in Artistic Director the world which is the real capital of the state, is Peters- burg. Petersburg had been created by non-locals in a spiritual and material sense. That’s probably why it be- came so unique and harmonious in its complexity and difference of architectural styles. I associate Petersburg with Bach’s music, because when I think about some- thing majestic, I hear Bach in my soul. It seems, as if Bach didn’t create his music, but wrote what he heard from the Lord. And St. Petersburg is so majestic, so it is not geographical point, not architectural creation, but spiritual phenomenon. It is a poignant, heartbreaking anguish in its beauty that even spontaneity is verified artistically here. There is polyphony and harmony in this city and it is impossible to become accustomed ei- ther break the habit.

What’s attractive in Saint Petersburg for you in winter?

I have always been in love with St. Petersburg, at any time of the year. However, historically, aristocracy went to their country estates or abroad for the summertime. During the autumn they came back, and winter was the period when the cultural life of St. Petersburg reached its climax. Remember the wonderful lines from the first chapter of the novel by Pushkin “Eugene Onegin”, de- scribing the Petersburg winter evenings! And I contrib- ute a mite to the maintenance of these cultural traditions annually, conducting the festival “Arts Square”, which brings together leading artists of the world. This year it Mr. Temirkanov, your busy professional will be held for the seventeenth time, and I am pleased life brings you to different countries to invite all residents of St. Petersburg and guests of our of the world. What is so special about wonderful city for an unforgettable musical evening! St. Petersburg in comparison with other cities, in your opinion?

10 Interview Bulgakov, Brodsky, Berns (December 17), play “the Un- known friend” by the works of Bunin, Tchaikovsky, Evgeny Petrovsky Rachmaninoff, Debussy featuring Kseniya Rappoport and Polina Osetinskaya (December 21) and a jazz con- Deputy Artistic Director cert-surprise by Denis Matsuev (December 24). Finally Nikolai Alekseev and Philharmonic will perform the For many years the International Winter poem “Prometheus” by Scriabin and “The Isle of the Festival “Arts Square” is a highlight of Dead” by Rachmaninoff (December 19). In this con- winter in St. Petersburg. What the festival cert, along with the sound of “The Isle of the Dead” the will be remarkable for this year, what Bocklin painting of the same name on the screen will surprises are prepared for the fans of be shown, which became the source of inspiration for Sergei Rachmaninoff, and “Prometheus” will be accom- music? panied by a laser light show - modern vision of Scriabin’s ideas about the Lumiere. From 14 to 25 December in D.D. Shostakovich St. Pe- tersburg Academic Philharmonia the XVII International What events St. Petersburg Philharmonic Winter Festival “Arts Square” will be held. Special atten- is preparing for the audience in 2016- tion is paid to the music of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, 2017 winter season? two great Russian composers, whose anniversaries are celebrated this year. In addition to the main event - the festival “Arts Square” At the opening of the festival (December 14) the Violin – the visitors will admire great pianists Boris Bere- Concerto No.1 by Shostakovich (soloist – famous Ger- zovsky, Nikolai Lugansky, Vladimir Feltsman, Luck De- man violinist Julia Fischer) will be featured and the Sym- barge, winter concerts of new project “Dialogues about phony No.5 by Prokofiev, and the closure (December 25) art” made jointly with the State Hermitage Museum, a – symphonic fragments from the Opera “The Love for concert of the Finnish radio orchestra, dedicated to the Three Oranges” and Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.2 by 100th anniversary of Finland independence. Denis Matsuev performing the solo parts. You can hear the vocal cycle by Shostakovich “The Little Antiformal- istic Paradise” (December 20) in the performance of the State Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”, and the international trio Alexander Knyazev, Michaela Martin and Momo Kodama will present a chamber ensembles by Shostakovich in the Small Philharmonic hall (December16).

Works of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, composed for children, will be performed in concert for our younger listeners and their parents (December 18). In both cases, the music will be accompanied by the presentation of the eponymous cartoon: modern Polish-British “Peter and the Wolf” and the Soviet “The Tale of a Silly Mouse”. Among the guests of the festival: Berlin Academy of ancient music with Christmas cantatas and concerti of the Baroque epoch (December 21), the lead singer of the Grammy award baritone Dietrich Henschel. French so- prano Natalie Dessay (December 23). Pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja (December 16).

American violinist Sarah Chang (December 22). In a se- ries of special projects of the festival – a literary evening meeting with Sergey Yursky with the works of Pushkin,

11 December 31 December 31 New Year Concert Strauss Gala

Samoilov Family Museum New Year Concert theatremuseum.ru Erarta Museum erarta.com

On the most highly anticipated holiday of the year peo- ple traditionally pamper themselves and their relatives and friends. To make a New Year happy you need to begin it in the best mood! Erarta Museum and Contem- porary Art Galleries invite Saint Petersburg citizens and guests to celebrate New Year holidays by a time-honored tradition originated in the most festive city of the world, in imperial Vienne, the capital of Austria.

The event program includes concerts and ouvertures performed by Saint Petersburg symphonic orchestra. The audience will admire music by Strauss (both father and son) and other composers whose works are the gems of a golden fund of world music heritage. The event pro- gram is designed in such a way that each spectator will feel all the strength and beauty of classical music.

The best evening for the best New Year!

Samoilov Family Museum offers to say farewell to 2016 in the company of talented musicians: Anna Lavrova (so- prano), Pyotr Tsehanovich (baritone), Olga Artyugina (violin), Alexey Shpakov (piano), Anton Stachev (piano accordion). The visitors of the music salon are offered hits of classical and pop music. Good mood for the com- ing year will be provided by arias, duets and instrumen- tal music.

In the program: Imre Kalman, George Gershwin, Astor Piazzolla, Michel Jean Legrand, Georges Garvarentz, Charles Aznavour and others.

The concerts starts at 5 p.m.

12 Music Salon on Saturdays The Art of Fan Museum is the first and only museum 160 fans are on permanent display. The collection is of the fans in Russia. The collection of the museum tells considered to be one of the largest collections, the old- about the origin, history, artistic features and peculiari- est exhibits came from XVII century. The fans represent ties of the fan as a piece of art. The Art of Fan Museum almost the whole world: China, Japan, Korea, France, offers more than 250 pieces. England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Russia and even Brazil.

Music Salon on Saturdays includes thematic tour around The Art of Fan Museum and the concert in the luxurious chamber hall with a private antique gallery and with an excellent piano “Steinway & Sons” that belonged Leonid Utesov. Program starts at 7 pm.

Amidst the Lively Ball Five Novellas About Love (December 24) (February 11)

The program includes acquaintance with charming at- Romantic love stories of the great writers and compos- mosphere of the ball-parties and fan-etiquette of the ers, their wonderful women - muses who inspired them XVIII-XIX centuries, master class “Secret language of to create fantastic music. The image of woman printed flirting”. The program will feature the poetry of George on the Oriental and European fans of the XVIII centu- Byron, Alexander Pushkin, Alexey Tolstoy and romantic ry and to the present day. Music by Alexander Alyabiev, music by Frederic Chopin, Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Griboyedov, Ferenc Liszt, Dargomyzhsky, Alexander Griboyedov and Pyotr Tchai- Frederic Chopin. kovsky. New Year’s Eve December 24, at Prince Odoevsky’s January 7, (January 7) February 11 The program includes a story about the celebration of Beginning at 7 pm the New Year at St. Petersburg noble families, about the guests of Prince Odoevsky - Mikhail Glinka, Alexander The Art of Fan Museum Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov and Pyotr Tchaikovsky; mus.rusampir.ru story about a fan as an essential attribute of St. Petersburg ladies of the XIX century. The visitors will enjoy romantic music of Glinka, Dargomyzhsky and Tchaikovsky. 13 It is impossible to imagine New Year and Winter Season of Mariinsky theatre without “The Nutcracker” ballet Winter program in by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and without “A Christmas Tale” Mariinsky Theatre opera by Rodion Shchedrin specially written for the Mariinsky theatre and which is considered opera “The Nutcracker”.

The XI International Piano Festival runs from 19 to 30 Interview December. The traditional piano marathon, which ex- tending the borders from year to year, will offer most of twenty five musical events from chamber and chil- Mariinsky Theatre dren concerts to solo programs and grand symphony evenings. Press Service The II Chorus Festival “Maslenitsa in Song” will pass on the Maslenitsa week (from 19 to 26 February). The Cho- What the Mariinsky theatre has prepared rus festival will gather the representatives of different for its fans in season 2016/2017, what ages and singing traditions of Russia and Europe. premieres and events do audience expect in coming winter season?

In 2016/2017 winter season Mariinsky theatre will pres- ent 9 premiers on the stage of Mariinsky theatre, Mari- insky-2 and Concert Hall, 17 premiers in chamber halls of Mariinsky-2, 6 festivals and different cultural and ed- ucational projects.

Coming winter season is rich in the events: on 30 No- vember - the first opera premier - “The Story of Kai and Gerda” staged by Alexei Stepanyuk on the historical stage of Mariinsky theatre. The first ballet premier of the season on the historical stage of the theatre in Decem- ber - “The Stone Flower”, dedicated to the anniversary of legendary choreographer Yuri Grigorovich and the anni- versary of Sergei Prokofiev. The winter season in Mari- insky-2 is marked by the premiere of opera “Salome” by Richard Strauss staged by Marat Gatsalov, and “I vespri siciliani” by Giuseppe Verdi staged by Arnaud Bernard. A stage impersonation of opera “Not Love Alone” by Rodion Shchedrin will be held at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky theatre.

The rarely performed chamber operas for adults and children will be performed by soloists of the Academy of the Young Opera Singers of Mariinsky theatre under the direction of Larisa Gergieva: “Diary of a Madman” by Yuri Butsko, “Zinaida” by Leonid Klinichev, “The Tur- nip” by Rustam Sagdiev, “Ukhti-Tukhti” by Georgy Port- nov, “The Silly Little Mouse” by Dmitry Shostakovich, “The Musicians of Bremen” by Gennady Gladkov, “The Little Sweep” by Benjamin Britten.

14 December 25, 2016 Christmas Organ Winter program in the Concert State Academic Capella of Saint Petersburg

December 31, 2016 New Year Concert of St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra

St. Petersburg Capella invites all residents and tourists of the city to visit a traditional New Year Eve concert on December 31, 2016!

The best pages of classical, jazz, contemporary and pop- ular musiс will be performed by St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra conducted by the People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Tchernushenko.

Light and breathtaking works of classics will make you forget all sorrows of the outgoing year and cheer up! Say goodbye to the old year with gratitude, and welcome the new year with joy!

December 25 .... Many people in the world are busy on this day preparing for the most magical and mysterious holiday - New Year. It is said that during these days an- imals talk to each other in human language, the plants get transformed into Rosemary, and oil and wine are flowing in the rivers. Miracles in the evening will take place on the stage of St. Petersburg Capella: grand, ma- jestic, and powerful organ sound will announce the up- coming holiday! Christmas concert of organ music will be a nice gift for the guests and residents of St. Petersburg. The colorful and varied program, made up of the best known works by prominent foreign composers will be presented on December 25 at 7 pm on the historic stage of St. Peters- burg Capella. 15 January 3, 2017 selves with bold creative experiments. As a rule, the orchestra of St. Petersburg Capella never discloses the Music on the Sand program of the Christmas concert. The program will be conducted by Ilya Derbilov. Over the years the Capella’s orchestra has become one of Russia’s leading orchestras. Outstanding conductors and performers of our time collaborate with the orchestra. St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra is working on a number of ambi- tious projects. Among the most interesting experiments beyond classical music are joint performances with Ian Gillan, Boris Grebenshchikov, anniversary evening of Gennady Gladkov and a cycle of simfojazz concerts. Hermitage Evenings in the Mikhailovsky Theatre

mikhailovsky.ru

Unique holiday concert “Music on the sand” combines the popular genre of the sand animation and famous musical masterpieces. Created out of the sand, fantas- tic pictures flow smoothly one into another, adding up to a story. Magnificent works, well known to every lis- tener, recreate the mysterious atmosphere of Christmas. Everything that is happening in the scene is projected onto a large screen so that the guests were able to see im- ages in detail.

The concert program will include Mozart’s Ave Maria, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor by Bach, the first part of the concerto for harp by Handel, Caccini’s Ave Maria Hermitage Evenings in the Mikhailovsky Theatre is a and many more. full-scale project featuring productions of contempo- rary choreographers and a new interpretation of classi- cal opera on the stage of the , a music January 7, 2017 festival in the museum, and many other events, combin- ing capabilities of the Mikhailovsky Theatre and one of Christmas Concert of the largest museums in the world - the State Hermitage. St. Petersburg Capella December 19 — One-act ballets by Ivan Vasilyev Symphony Orchestra December 29 — Operetta Evening: from Offenbach to Kalman St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra traditional- December 30 — Classics of Soviet pop ly gives an unforgettable Christmas party to the music lovers. It is at Christmas and New Year when Capella music Orchestra musicians delight their audience and them- December 31 — Christmas Tale

16 17 October 25, 2016 – March 6, 2017 The State Hermitage Museum is the Perfect Timing. biggest in Russia and one of the biggest museums in the world. It occupies 6 Sixteenth- and historical buildings. The is the main one. Seventeenth-Century The State Hermitage Museum possesses Clocks in the Hermitage about 3 mln. exhibits: paintings, drawings, sculpture, pieces of applied art, The exhibition of clocks in the Blue numismatics and archeological finds. Bedroom of the Winter Palace

The exhibition presents the early examples of the clock- October 21, 2016 – April 2017 maker’s art created by European craftsmen in 16-17th centuries. The exhibition includes around one hundred Jan Fabre: timepieces – table and wall clocks and mechanical pock- et watches, as well as their forerunners – sundials, lunar Knight of Despair - and stellar devices for measuring time. Warrior of Beauty In Russia, mechanical timepieces came into use in the sixteenth century. Later, those no longer in daily use be- came collectors’ items. The exhibition features a whole The exhibition of the most famous variety of timepieces, different in shape, technical and contemporary Flemish artists artistic approaches, that were acquired by , his daughter, Empress Elizabeth, Catherine II and Jan Fabre (Antwerp, 1958), a visual artist, theatre artist members of the St Petersburg nobility. and author, uses his works to speculate in a loud and tan- gible manner about life and death, physical and social transformations, as well as about the cruel and intelligent imagination which is present in both animals and hu- mans. Jan Fabre is one of the most fertile and important artists of his generation. He has created a number of new works especially for this exhibition numbering more than 200 artworks. The exhibition will come with series of lec- tures, master classes and round-table discussions. The ex- position will air eight films, including the performance film Love is the Power Supreme (2016) featuring the artist, which was filmed in the Winter Palace in June 2016. Table clockTable with allegorical images. Germany, Nuremberg. The third quarter of the XVI century,Master Hans Gruber (Gruber, Hans). Copper, steel, glass; casting, embossing, engraving, gilding. The of the Winter Palace, Dvortsovaya Ploshchad 18 October 28, 2016 – February 5, 2017 December 7, 2016 – February 26, 2017 Surrealism in Catalonia. Hans Memling. The artists of Emporda Allegory of Chastity and Salvador Dali From the series Masterpieces of the World’s Museums in the Hermitage 70 works by 29 different Catalan artists. The top floor of the Winter Palace Hans Memling (1430/1440 – 1494) is among the best- known artists of the early Netherlandish school, a mem- The exhibits include not only paintings, but also works ber of the generation that succeeded the school’s found- of sculpture and graphic art created by artists from this ers, Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden (he learnt part of Spain in the period from the late 19th century a lot from both and spent several years in the latter’s to the late 20th. For the first time members of the Rus- workshop). It is believed that his style had a major influ- sian public have the opportunity to acquaint themselves ence of the Italian Renaissance painting. with works by Spanish surrealists, to see and understand Hans Memling created works for wealthy people in the genesis of one of the 20th century’s most attractive England, France and Italy. Bruges townspeople often and intriguing artistic phenomena. When people start ordered portraits from Memling. Master gave human talking about Spanish Surrealism, they speak about the characteristics softness and tenderness that became a Surrealism of Catalonia and first and foremost about model for later generations of Italian and Dutch artists. the Surrealism of Empordà. The exhibition represents 70 works by 29 different Catalan artists including eight works by Salvador Dalí. The exhibits are given by Em- pordà museums and private owners.

November 12, 2016 – April 2, 2017 Perfection in Details. The Art of Japan in the Meiji Period (1868-1912)

From private collection. The Small Hermitage

The second half of the 19th century was an exception- al time for Japan. The country abandoned its policy of self-isolation and began to change at a rapid pace, pur- suing a course of modernization and “westernization” in all aspects of life.

The exhibition represents vases and incense burners; sculpture and pieces made from various alloys; collec- tion of ceramics from Satsuma province; cabinets with doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell and ex- pensive imported materials; caskets embellished with gold lacquer in different shades.

The exhibition presents works of “imperial” masters, suppliers of the Imperial Court, laureates of national and international exhibitions. 19 December 8, 2016 – March 20, 2017 December 6, 2016 – March 12, 2017 From the Dinner-Service Mariano Fortuny: “The Storerooms. Decorating Magician of Venice”. the Russian Imperial Collectioner. Artist. Table in the XVII to XX Couturier

Centuries The exhibition of Mariano Fortuny - the great designer of the 20th century, In the “” Series celebrated by his contemporaries as “The Magician of Venice” This exhibition presents historic exhibits from the State Hermitage Museum, the State , Pav- Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871, Granada - 1949, lovsk State Museum Reserve, Peterhof State Museum Venice) - artist, designer, engineer and photographer, Reserve and the Moscow Kremlin Museums, alongside one of the great designers of the first half of the 20th contemporary pieces by craftsmen of the joint-stock century, who has changed fashion and interior design. company Imperial Porcelain Manufactory. Most of the 1,200 objects were made for the adornment of tables at The exhibition will present pieces from private collec- receptions held in imperial residences and grand-ducal tions of Venice and Russia. The exhibition will show the palaces. They would not have been used for everyday fabrics, costumes as well as their designs. Isadora Dun- dining but between ceremonial occasions were packed can, Natasha Rambova, Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Gish away in cupboards, crates and boxes in special store- wore Fortuny’s dresses. rooms set up specifically for such services. These ser- vice storerooms housed not only magnificent porcelain The exhibition will feature Italian medieval and Renais- services but objects of earthenware and glass, silver and sance fabrics, Coptic fabrics, antique sculptures and ori- bronze and much more, as well as small sculptures to ental ceramics from the Hermitage collections. adorn the table.

December 27, 2016 – April 10, 2017 The Word was in the beginning. Andrei Lansky. The Book of Genesis

“The Cabinet of the Artist’s Book” exhibition. The General Staff Building

Andrei Lanskoy - Russian émigré artist, representative of the Ecole de Paris, the founder of lyrical abstraction- ism. Lansky was engaged not only in the visual arts: he created colored carpets, collages, book illustrations, mo- saics. The foreign audience is familiar to Andrei works better than the Russian. To fill this gap the retrospective exhibitions have been held at the home of the master since 2006. The middle of the XIX century Porcelain, overglaze polychrome and gilding. Bronze; gilding Konfektura with seven bronze rosettes on the branches. Russia, St. Petersburg. The Imperial porcelain factory. 20 December 22, 2016 – April 1, 2017 The State Russian Museum is the world’s largest collection of Russian art, housed Ivan Aivazovsky. in a unique architectural complex in the historical centre of Saint Petersburg. The 200th anniversary The museum collection contains over 400 000 exhibits covering all major periods of Aivazovsky’s birth and trends in the history of Russian art, all main types and genres, trends and schools The works of art characterized by a high of Russian art over more than a thousand artistic level and the paintings from a years: from the X to the XXI century. private collection

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky is a world-famous Russian marine painter and one of the most successful November 24, 2016 – January 31, 2017 Russian painters of the XIXth century. In the collection of the Russian Museum there are 54 works of Aiva- Paolo Troubetzkoy. zovsky.

The 125th anniversary The exposition in the Benois Wing will unite paintings from the Peterhof State Museum Reserve, Tsarskoe Selo of Troubetzkoy’s birth State Museum-Preserve, St.Petersburg Central Naval Museum, St.Petersburg Naval Cadet Corps. The exhibi- The art of the illustrious master who tion will include about 200 pieces and a special part of it created his masterpieces in Italy, Russia, will present memorial materials, as well as photographic France and America ones, which could show the iconography of Aivazovsky.

The core part of the exposition will include world-re- nown masterpieces as well as less known works of Aiva- zovsky from the private collections.

The Russian Museum is proud to house the biggest Rus- sian collection of works by the world-famous sculptor Pavel (Paolo) Troubetzkoy (1866-1938). A special high- light is the equestrian statue of Alexander III designed by Troubetzkoy and established in May 1909 at the Zna- menskaya square in St. Petersburg. The ouevre of the prominent master who used to work in Russia, Italy, France and America will become a true discovery for the viewers.

The exhibition includes 37 sculptures and 8 drawings from the collection of the State Russian Museum, State Hermitage Museum, State Tretyakov Gallery, St.Peters- burg State Museum of Theatre and Music and Moscow private collection. 21 The Yusupov Palace on the Moika River is the residence of the Yusupov family, one of the richest aristocratic families of the .

October 27, 2016 – March 22, 2017 Unknown Felix. The portrait of Prince , Count Sumarokov by , 1903

The Yusupov Palace on the Moika River is the residence of the Yusupov family, one of the richest aristocratic families of the Russian Empire.

For the first time in the last hundred years the famous Valentin Serov’s painting “Portrait of Prince Felix Yu- supov, Count Sumarokov” (1903) is displayed in the Yu- supov Palace on the River. This commissioned portrait is one of four canvases in The grand equestrian portrait of one of the last own- the famous series of portraits of Princes Yusupov dy- ers of the Yusupov Palace is painted in the best artistic nasty. traditions of the turn of the 20th century. It is rightful- The exhibition also features photographs (including ly placed among the most renowned works of the great rare historic photos) from the archives of the Yusupov Russian artist Valentin Serov. family.

The Yusupovs’ mansion on the Moika River was beautifully appointed and well-designed for entertaining. Christmas preparations were started long before the holiday. The incredibly high elm-tree was decorated. Guest always came with suitcases to take all their gifts at once. The very next day was devoted to the servants families’ celebration. The Princess Yusupova asked all the servants what gift they desired for Christmas.

The Yusupovs were invited to the famous costume ball held in Winter Palace in February, 1903. During the ball the completion for the best costume was arranged. The Princess Yelizaveta Fyodorovna and the Princess Yusupova shared the top place of the competition. The Princess Yusupova was wearing a boyar dress. At the Emperor’s request the Yusupova started to dance. But her artistic and bright manner impressed so much that she was encored five times. Even Stanislavski invited her to work in his troupe.

22 November 2, 2016 – January 16, 2017 Erarta is the largest private museum of Panopticon contemporary art in Russia. The museum’s collection includes over 200 items — Solo exhibition by Christian Guemy, the paintings, graphics, sculptures, objects, installations, created by Russian artists French street artist also known as C215 in the second half of XX— beginning of XXI centuries.

October 28, 2016 – January 29, 2017 Glorious World of Fellini

Backstage secrets of the great Italian director

The Exhibition “Glorious world of Fellini” is exclusive project, made with great love for cinema and fashion.

The exhibition features over 50 film costumes: Anita Ekberg’s dress from the famous fountain episode, the baroque attire of “Casanova” and Italian gloss of “The The exhibition at Erarta Museum dynamically portraits Road”. But not only costumes: backstage photographs, both celebrities and politicians, and unknown vaga- film posters, video interviews, cameras, furniture and bonds and beggars. even red vintage motorcycle Harley-Davidson — all you Christian consciously plays with the “society of observa- need to feel the atmosphere of the Glorious World of Fel- tion”. The painted objects, murals, photos, texts, videos lini. — all this reveals various facets of C215’s talent. As if enclosed into an ideal “Panopticon”, the artist’s works The unique exhibition is dedicated to all those in love are available for observing from all the sides. with Italian beauty — bright, rich, and life loving. The art by Christian Guémy is social, but with no harsh criticism, protest or call to action that are so character- istic for street art in general. He is not trying to shock the viewer. He emphasizes that he is not an actionist, but rather a portrait painter, interested in private and indi- vidual images of his heroes.

Christian is interested in different psychological states and moods of people. He pays attention to the individ- ual characters and life stories. His main instrument is empathy. His main desire is to understand the internal emotions of a person, to capture his eyes expression and convey his unique story.

Dear guests of the museum, please note that 8 December 2016 (Saturday) and 24 December 2016 (Saturday) from 19:00 to 22:00 exhibition “PANOPTICON” is closed to the public.

23 The State Museum of the History of Religion is the only one in Russia and one of the few museums in the world that represents the history of the origin and development of religion.

The Museum possesses about 200 000 exhibits. It is monuments of history and culture of different countries, eras and nations: from the archaic, Ancient Egypt and Israel to the early European Middle Ages; from Ancient Greece and Rome to modern times; Buddhism and Islam. The oldest exhibits are the archaeological finds dating VI millennium BC.

December 7, 2016 – the end of January 2017 The Mystery Of Christmas. E. T. V. Hoffman. M. M. Shemyakin. P. I. Tchaikovsky

Illustrations for the works of the author from the Museum’s collection, as well as paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists

Christmas days are always perceived as the days full of magic, transformation and mysterious events, source for many fairy tales and fantastic stories. The tale of the German writer Ernst Theodor Wilhelm The exhibition will feature the sketches of the costumes Hoffmann “The Nutcracker and the Mouse king” is one made by Mikhail Shemyakin for the ballets “The Nut- of the main magical stories. cracker” and “Golden Nut”, a bone china tea set “Rats- Thieves”, made according to the drawings of M.M. She- Based upon “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” the myakin at the Leningrad porcelain factory. Visitors will great Russian musician Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky com- see the pewter miniatures on the theme of tales of Hoff- posed ballet music “The Nutcracker” in 1891. In 2003 the mann, the original posters of the Mariinsky theatre, composer Sergei Mikhailovich Slonimsky created the programs performances, as well as books with illustra- ballet “The Magic Nut”. The premieres of the both ballets tions of the fairy tales “The Nutcracker and The Mouse took place in St. Petersburg on the stage of the Mariinsky King” from the library of the Museum of the History of theatre. Religion.

24 December 17, 2016 – February, 2017 January 24, 2016 – February 2017 Antiquity Through Earth and Heaven in the the Ages Western European Art

Antique mythological scenes in the new art Paintings, graphics, pieces of applied art dedicated to the history of Christianity and the Catholic Church

The stories and characters of Scripture are an inexhaust- ible source of inspiration for artists of the whole Chris- tian world.

From the middle Ages to the early modern period the Catholic Church had a great influence on the formation of religious art, demanding from the artists following not only the Sacred texts but also the canons that estab- lished visual motifs and compositional schemes. Paintings, graphics, pieces of applied art presented at the exhibition, are notable for the diversity of religious sto- ries and symbols.

Created by masters of different schools and trends these pieces allow visitors not only discover previously un- known treasures, but also come in contact with the his- The first Mediterranean civilization, Ancient Greece, tory of Christianity and the Catholic Church. ancient art... This cultural heritage for many centuries inspires humanity. The art of the late Renaissance, the Counter-Reforma- tion and the Baroque are represented by the names of The aim of the exhibition is to trace the great influence well-known Venetian, Bolognese, Florentine, Roman, of the mythology and art of Ancient Greece on the world and Northern artists — Francesco and Gerolamo Bas- culture. Attitude to the ancient heritage differs but it has sano, Carletto Cagliari, Pietro Damini, Volterrano and never been forgotten, and not once has became the en- others. zyme for the birth of a new culture. Images and stories of the Greek mythology found a sec- ond life in the Renaissance and gave food for the imagi- nation of writers, artists, architects, musicians, directors, cinematographers. The works of artists, engravers and sculptors of the New time, who were inspired by scenes of ancient mythology are stored in the funds of the Mu- seum.

The collection of French engravings of the XVII – XVIII centuries, “Abduction of Persephone” painting on copper by an unknown artist, carved amber bas-relief depicting the Olympian gods of the XVIII century, a marble copy of a sculpture of John. L. Bernini’s “Apollo and Daph- ne” (the original of the XVII century, a copy of the XIX century), the collection of gems (XVIII – XIX centuries), paintings by Russian and European artists are the most interesting.

25 Saint-Petersburg state Roerich family Museum and Institute occupies mansion known as house of artist and collector Mikhail Botkin, who bought the mansion in 1883 and installed a unique collection of art here. The collection of Museum and Institute basically includes items kept by Helena Roerich’s niece Lyudmila Mitusova. It is being enriched with collectors’ gifts and materials of research conducted by Museum and Institute as it acts as center for study of creative heritage of Roerich family as well. The Museum funds comprise about 15 thousand items, including personal belongings, manuscripts, paintings, decorative and applied art pieces, archaeological finds, photographs and other cultural treasures that reflect the life and work of the Roerich family.

October 7, 2016 – March 26, 2017 The Man Exploring. Yuri Roerich

The exhibition is dedicated to Yuri Roerich, orientalist

Yuri Roerich was born in 1902 in the village of Okulovka Long trips, live communication with native speakers of of Novgorod province. In his school years he took les- the countries surveyed and penetration into their cul- sons from the famous Orientalist and Egyptologist B.A. ture, the lack of prejudice to the issues that are not sub- Turaev and Mongolist A.D. Rudnev. From 1919 to 1923 ject to purely scientific description, allowed him to get a he studied Sanskrit and Persian in the School of Orien- unique knowledge and experience. The Sinologist and tal and African Studies in London, Sanskrit, Pali and specialist in Mongolian studies Boris Pankratov said: Chinese at Harvard University, and then continued his “As a scientist of Tibetan Studies Yuri belonged to the studies at the School of Living Oriental Languages at the endangered type of scientists, he was a specialist in Tibet Sorbonne University. The outstanding scientists - J.Bako, as a whole, and in every field of knowledge about the P.Pelliot, C.R. Lanman, D.Ross, S.Levy were Yuri’s teach- country, he was really professional, and not an amateur”. ers. In 1920, Yuri Roerich was a member and one of the organizers of the Central Asian expedition of Nicholas The exhibition shows memorial objects and works of Roerich. art, belonged to Yuri Roerich and his family, and the exhibits that introduce the subject of his research: the Yuri was a person searching for continuous study of the manuscripts and editions of xylographic Tibetan texts, world, searching for beauty in the works of the past, Mongolian and other oriental languages. whether it be primitive stone sculptures or graceful works of literature.

26 The Russian Museum of Ethnography in Saint-Petersburg is one of the largest ethnographic museums in the world. The objects of traditional cultures of Russia and neighboring countries are kept in its walls. The museum has more than 700,000 artifacts and photographs, which represent the cultural heritage of 157 peoples of European Russia, , Far East, Caucasus and Crimea and embrace the period from 18th century to present times.

September 29, 2016 – January 15, 2017 Restoration: Craft and Art

The exhibition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the museum restoration workshop

The first section of the exhibition is dedicated to several generations of restorers. The exhibition is supplemented with rare photographs and film dedicated to the distin- guished restorers, who gave second life to rare and an- cient objects. The second part of the exhibition consists of more than hundred museum objects made of textile, metal, wood, birch bast, stone, gypsum, papier-mâché, bone, ceramic, fur, feathers and other materials. These items reflect daily life and culture of the peoples of the Russian Empire in middle nineteenth –early twentieth century.

27 The state Museum of Political History of Russia tells of the stormy and tragic events of the past, wars and revolutions that changed the fate of Russia. In 1955 the Museum got two buildings: Mathilda Kshesinskaya’s and Brandt’s mansions. The buildings were joined, and now they make up a complex where the Museum had been situated. The museum collection includes more than 474600 items. They reflect the history of changes of state structure and political system of the country, the fate of prominent historical figures, and the processes of development of revolutionary, democratic and socio- political movements and parties of Russia.

Unique materials reveal the activity of the senior government officials of the Russian Empire, the USSR, the Russian Federation, the legislative and executive authorities.

July 1 — December 31, 2016 Food is a State Matter!

The exhibition of the museum project “Authority and Society”

Russian history just as world history shows strong con- nection between big politics and everyday life. And food service industry is one of the most important parts of the latter. The exhibition “Food - is a State Matter!” reflects the relationship between the politics and food service industry in the Russian Empire, the and post-Soviet Russia.

What did the tsars and the Soviet leaders eat? How did the Government affect the diet of the ordinary citizens?

The exhibition presents solemnly decorated menu of public and social events and a menu of home holidays, Soviet propaganda porcelain and significant items of ca- tering, food cards, documents, reflecting the benefits of the Soviet nomenklatura, food packaging with political symbolism, posters, cartoons, photographs, depicting the official meal, graphics work and painting.

28 December, 2016 – December, 2017 The theme of the revolution is one of the most important in the Museum of Political History of Russia activities The exhibitions of one during all the years of its existence. The museum has ac- cumulated vast experience in the subject, which is used exhibit, devoted to the when creating exhibitions, publications, conferences, events of 1917 dedicated to the revolutionary events. Mark the 100th anniversary of the the museum holds monthly exhibitions of the one ex- hibit devoted to the events of 1917.

The February uprising and the October revolution in Pe- trograd in 1917 are crucial events for both the Russian and world history of the XX century, and the interest in them is increasing in anticipation of the 100th anniver- sary.

The state Museum of Political History of Russia was es- tablished in 1919, and over the years of its existence thou- sands of unique items associated with revolutions were collected. Many of these items came to the museum di- rectly from the participants of that events.

29 Interview stations, developed new service packages. It was planned for creating more comfortable environment for guests. The hotel team knows personally many guests and ready Andrey Lvov to advance their individual needs, creating a unique at- mosphere of hospitality. Grand Hotel Emerald - one of Managing Director of Grand Hotel Emerald the few out-of-chain five-stars hotels in St. Petersburg, and all the guests noticed our identity and unique lo- cation. The hotel is located on Suvorovsky Prospect in the cosy “old heart” of the city that provides the pedes- trian accessibility to and Moscovsky Railway Station, direct and convenient way to Pulkovo Airport. There are such interesting attractions as Tav- richeskiy Garden, Smolny Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky Lavra near the hotel. Our guests can enjoy all the ben- efits of living in the heart of St. Petersburg, but, at the same time, to avoid the associated disadvantages with this location - in the first place, the hustle and bustle of the main roads, inherent in the very center of the city. For guests arriving by car, the hotel has underground parking.

If we talk about specific measures to attract guests dur- ing the winter season, we have developed a set of pro- posals: the special prices for tour groups and business groups, the special conditions for business activities in our area (hotel has 7 meeting rooms). Every year, we sell tickets to our traditional New Year’s show with a gala dinner. Recently, we have invited a new brand Chef Den- is Melnikov, an experienced professional with a fresh perspective on the kitchen issues. He’s come to grips with updating a menu of all the hotel restaurants.

Of course, we have to admit that winter time in St. Pe- tersburg is not popular among tourists. But in fact, it is very convenient for visiting the city: in the first place, there are no crowds and queues in the museums, you can safely roam the halls of the museum, without any rush buy tickets to the theaters and without reservation get in the best restaurants in the city. In the suburbs of the city there is always a chance to see the real Russian winter and to taste traditional Russian entertainments such as tobogganing, playing in the snow ... Beautiful winter landscapes of suburban palaces and park ensem- bles - not everyone can boast of such photos. We offer our guests a warm up after these walks in our SPA - com- plex with a Finnish sauna, hammam and, of course, the How Grand Hotel Emerald meets its real Russian steam bath with a professional bath-house attendant. Often, it becomes almost the main attraction guests in winter season 2016/2017? and impression Grand Hotel Emerald guests.

As in the famous Russian proverb, we began to prepare for the winter in summer. We conducted repairs, upgrad- ed interior elements, upgraded rooms with tea and coffee 30 dier from Ivan the Terrible times (film “Ivan Vasilievich Changes Occupation”) would look like in reality. Military-Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps (the Artillery Museum) is one of the most significant The Artillery Museum represents about a hundred of military-historical museums in the world original exhibits. for its more than 300 year history, a subject of national pride for Russia.

The museum has a rich collection of artillery and ammunition, small arms and steel arms, military engineering equipment, military communications, the Colours, military uniforms, pieces of battle painting and drawings, awards and decorations, as well as archival documents showing the history of the artillery of the Russian army, feats of arms of defenders of Fatherland.

October 26, 2016 – January, 2017 Movie Heroes Arms

Dedicated to the Year of Movie in Russia the Artillery Museum opens the exhibition which is interesting for adults and children. The Museum displays weapon that was used in the well-known Russian and foreign movies, shows the authentic samples of the arms to be used by the characters, and reveal the secrets of some gag reels.

The exhibition is divided into two sections. The first section represents weapon that was used in the filming. Making the historical movie, especially with the battle scenes, the directors often consults the museum to hold up a mirror to the history.

The second section is dedicated to gag reels. There are too many episodes of inaccuracy in “The Three Musketeers” (director Jungvald-Khil’kevich, 1978). For example, the swords of the famous Musketeers only vaguely resemble real guns of the royal guards of the 1620s.

The visitors of the exhibition learn what weapon was used in the film about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and how these characters could be armed in reality. Here you can see the favorite gun of James Bond, find out what the terrorists on board of an aircraft in the film “Teheran 43” were armed, from which weapon a chimpanzee in the film “Striped flight” shoots, why the characters of the series “Fall of the Empire” could not use the Browning High Power, how an old Russian soldier of Novgorod (the film “Alexander Nevsky”) and the sol- 31 May 21 – December, 2016 The Last Knight of the Empire. Nicholas I and the Russian Army

Historical exhibition

The exhibition offers a new look at the personality of the Emperor Nicholas I, whose image is strongly distorted by political cliche and the subsequent Soviet historiography.

The reign of Nicholas I was the golden age of the , and according to some researchers “front facade of the Russian Empire has never been so brilliant.” But at the same time the internal contradiction affects: the first railway, the systematization of laws, a number of impor- tant reforms in various areas of society - and the defeat of the Decembrists movement, the persecution of dissent, the dominance of bureaucratic routine.

The Emperor’s contemporaries had various comments as for Nicholas I personality and activity. His private life and public activities, character, habits, relationships with different people are reflected in numerous diaries and memoirs. The visitors have an opportunity to get acquainted with the brightest extracts from them and make up their own opinion about the last knight of the Empire and Europe. 32 The futuristic artifacts take a special place in the expo- sition: a scrap of yellow jacket of Vladimir Mayakovsky, The Sheremetev palace, or the Fountain budetliane photos with painted faces, the page of “Ar- House, is a branch of Saint-Petersburg gus” magazine of 1913 with the manifesto “Why do we State Museum of Theatre and Music. The decorate ourselves,” etc... Rare gems that remained after Palace belonged to the Sheremetevs. The the avant-garde experiments under “I”, “Ego” emphasize Fountain House was one of the fashionable that the subject of the exhibition is ephemeral, the image centers of the high society of the city, a meeting place for prominent musicians, of the artist exists only here and now, it is almost impos- culture and science representatives. sible to preserve it and pass through time. The Sheremetev Palace houses the Museum of Music with the richest in The main part of the exhibition includes costumes, ac- Russia collection of musical instruments cessories, installations, photographs and videos of local from around the world. artists, experimenting on their faces and bodies in 1980- 90s, and those who use this creative strategy today. The permanent Musical Instruments Collection displayed at the Palace has three thousand exhibits. Here one can hear the Russian bells, replicas of antique musical instruments, copied in the 19th century from authentic pieces, the baroque instruments of the 17–18th centuries - the old harps, viols, harpsichords. The paintings and applied art pieces of 18-19th centuries are represented as well in the museum.

November 25, 2016 – February 14, 2017 Appearance. More than a reality

The exhibition is a part of Diaghilev P.S. Festival

The exhibition explores the boundaries of the human image: from ritual masks to Petrograd vanguard, from the colored people of the Futurists to the contemporary artists who work with their faces as with a piece of art. Historical costumes and masks from the collection of the Russian Museum of Ethnography coexists with the images created by Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Mayak- ovsky, David Burliuk, Natalia Goncharova, Mikhail Lar- ionov, Vladimir Tatlin, Garik Assa, Sergei Kuryokhin, Alexander Petlyura, Vladislav Mamyshev Monroe, An- drey Bartenev, Jeanne Aguzarova and many others. The exhibition begins with the unexpected inclusions to the permanent exhibition of the Sheremetev Palace. There are ritual masks and costumes of contemporary artists, documentary photographs of festivals and pho- tographic portraits of the Russian Futurists close to the Sheremetevs’ belongings. 33 The buttons were of a particular interest for Lyudmila Museum of was opened Gurchenko. She usually gave away her dresses when on April 11, 1975 in his last apartment in they became uninteresting for her. But first the actress St. Petersburg. The great singer lived here cut off the buttons. The buttons were the material for her from 1915 to 1922. fantasy, as paints for the artist.

The original interiors were restored: the hallway, dining and sleeping rooms, big and small sitting–rooms; interior of Chaliapin’s dressing room in Mariinsky theatre was also re–created in his former apartment. Letters and photos, show bills and programmes, personal belongings and houseware, paintings and drawings, theatre costumes and set designs of Chaliapin’s performances tell about the main events of life and career of the great singer. The museum also stores collection of weapons, which Maxim Gorky presented to Chaliapin.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum offers a rich cultural program that includes exhibitions, concerts and shows, as well as an educational program.

November 17, 2016 – January 20, 2017 Other Gurchenko

The second joint project of Saint-Petersburg State Muse- um of Theatre and Music and the Moscow Museum-Stu- dio of the actress Lyudmila Gurchenko is dedicated to the actress way of creating her own unique style, which has become a model for several generations of Soviet women, fans of this glamorous movie star. Lyudmila did not use the sewing machine but an ordi- nary needle and thread. The visitors of the exhibition see family photos, dresses that Lyudmila sewed her own, as well as dresses from famous designers Christian Dior, Valentin Yudashkin. Lyudmila Gurchenko was dare to modify the designers’ dresses not bowing before au- thority. Her additions accentuated her costumes, making them more extravagant and more adapted to her temper- ament. Her costumes were the masks of the actress. It was a laboratory of the actress where she built her images.

Decorations and all kinds of additions to the suit had a great value for Lyudmila. The exhibition presents all kinds of buttons, turned by the actress into the original brooches, earrings, belts decorated with beads, embroi- dery and feathers. 34 History Museum Scale Model “Peter the Great Aquatory ” is a history of the Northern capital and the creation of the Russian fleet in the interactive miniature. The old mansions, parks and palaces were reconstructed due to the old engravings and archive materials.

The main feature of the layout is the real water space that symbolizes the waters of the and the . The models of the ships of the Peter the Great walk on water!

December 19 – December 30 Exclusive New Year in “Peter the Great Aquatory”

The museum has prepared an exciting and informative program with jokes, rhymes and New Year treat. The guests will learn why the New Year in Russia is cel- ebrated on January 1st, who was the main participant of the New Year celebrations in Russia when there was no Ded Moroz (), and which traditions of New Year celebrations have survived the time and which did not survive.

35 Interview of educational museums for children and adults - life is vivid in St. Petersburg in winter. There is only one dif- ficulty, which is making the choice of where to go and Simon Zaglmann what to see so that there is still enough time for the ex- citing shopping and great restaurants, which our city is General Manager Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 famous for no less than for its landmarks.

What is the hotel going to offer its guests during the winter season 2016-2017?

We always anxiously wait for December because from year to year, Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 brings to life the Christmas magic of The Nutcracker fairy tale. From 1 December to 7 January the gorgeous six-foot Christ- mas tree in the lobby greets the hotel’s guests. Aromas of pine are intertwined in the air with the smell of from the Von Witter Bar and scents of fresh home- made sweets, which are offered at our own . Here, anyone can buy a little house, Christmas cookies, , exquisite handmade pra- lines, chocolate and marmalade. For the festive nights of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we have created special menus in the Bellevue Brasserie restaurant and the Von Witte Bar and wait for our guests.

In your opinion, why can St. Petersburg compete with other touristic destinations in winter?

Winter is one of the best seasons for visiting St. Peters- burg to get acquainted with its world-famous cultural heritage. When the weather is cold and it’s not very com- fortable outside, we naturally tend to spend more time indoors. Museums and theatres, which are located in the magnificent palaces and mansions, built in times of Im- perial Russia, open their doors to all guests of St. Peters- burg and offer them the opportunity to plunge into the world of amazing art and great Russian culture. Brilliant performances at the Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky The- atres, unique concerts at classic and jazz Philharmonic Halls, the famous permanent collections and new ex- hibition at the Hermitage, Russian Museum and Erarta Modern Art Museum, circus performances and a variety

36 37 15 pairs of ice skates of the beginning of XX century from the Gatchina Palace collection are displayed. The Winter program exhibition offers the stands with the story of the earliest at Gatchina Palace ice skating, found during archaeological excavations, in- formation of the materials and methods of manufacture and Estate Museum of skates, the history of this entertainment in Russia.

gatchinapalace.ru October 28, 2016 — April 2, 2017 Childhood in the Palace

December 23, 2016 — April 2, 2017 Event as a part of celebration of the 250 anniversary of Gatchina Palace What Miraculous Shoes! The exhibition tells a story of child upbringing traditions Collection of skates of the on the example of the two royal families: of Paul I and Gatchina Palace, Alexander III, who lived the longest time in Gatchina. Exhibition Hall of the Central building, The exposition is based on the Gatchina Museum re- 1st floor serve funds, and presents sections that enable viewers to fully reveal the theme of childhood and upbringing in the royal house.

Visitors will also learn about how to baptize children, see the caps and babies shirts, consider the king’s toys, and even play games of the XIX century, find differences in the education of sons and daughters and try to solve the puzzles from the textbook of the royal heir or show off talent on stage home theater, as did the young grand dukes.

The Russian imperial family used to live in Gatchina res- idence not only in summer but in winter as well, espe- cially often - during the reign of Emperor Alexander III who made Gatchina his permanent residence. Ice skating was one of the favorite entertainments of the royal fam- ily: the vast water area in the Gatchina park was trans- formed into ice rinks in winter!

The exhibition shows the history of the ice skates, how the ice skates were used at different times and in different countries, how the winter fun of this kind was popular in the Russian Empire and in the royal family.

38 films: thinned-term and refined Vera Holodnaya, Vera Karalli, tender and touching Sophia Goslavskaya. Winter program at The exhibition space is united with conventional gam- ing scenes, representing styling frames from silent mov- and Estate Museum ies. Depending on the story, the film hero travels, pays a visit, welcomes guests, and wears a proper outfit, which corresponds to the place and occasion: it’s outwear, suit peterhofmuseum.ru for walks and visits, evening and wedding dresses.

December 20, 2016 — April 9, 2017 How the Great Dumb Dressed

Costume exhibition of the late XIX - early XX centuries from the private collection of Natalia Kostrigina

“How the Great Dumb dressed” is a visual story of the style and taste of those times, when “kings” and “queens” of silent films became fashion trendsetters.

The exhibition shows wardrobe options of Petersburg fashionistas of the late XIX - early XX century, chosen under the influence of the famous actresses of silent

The theme of social events and evening reception is dominant in the White Hall exhibition space. Wonder- ful evening and ball gowns, accessories, tuxedos, busi- ness cards, presented in this part of the exhibition, cre- ate an illusion of the ballroom atmosphere. The final chord of the exhibition is an installation of bridal and wedding dresses made of delicate white tulle, silk, and lace. At the exhibition, the Throne Hall of the Grand Palace again, as in 1896, will transform into the cinema. In the center of the room there will be a screen showing one of the Lumière films.

Surrounded by old movie cameras, tripods, boxes of films, historical costumes become characters of black and white films, and the palace halls are transformed into the cinema stage.

39 October 5, 2016 – September 30, 2017 Winter program The Kochubey Family at Tsarskoye Selo Palace Mansion. and Estate Museum “Home of the Gentry” tzar.ru in Tsarskoye Selo The Catherine Palace, the Zubov Wing

October 5, 2016 – April 30, 2017 Return of the Fan

The Catherine Palace, the Zubov Wing

Tsarskoye Selo acquaints visitors with a collection of fans, amounting to more than a hundred items.

The museum presents products of Western, Eastern, and Russian work, including fans of the XVIII century from the historical collections, exhibits of XIX - first half of XX century, collected over the past years: purchased in antique shops and from private collectors, as well as do- nated to the museum.

The Symbol of the exhibition is air and everything that is connected with the breath of the wind. The idea found its reflection in the design of the exhibition halls and is accompanied by music.

The exhibition will complement women’s dresses from different eras, female costume accessories, paintings and graphics, decorative and applied art made of porcelain, metal, glass, and toys. Tsarskoye Selo first referred to the subject, revealing the “wayside” imperial residence - the life of the local envi- ronment of its crowned owners. Items of furniture from the Kochubey House have never before been exhibited in public. The exhibition includes more than 100 items - typical examples of paintings, bronzes, furniture, por- celain, sculpture, giving an idea of everyday life of those times, about the bygone and the unique atmosphere of “nests of the gentry”.

Among the true masterpieces is a bronze mantel clock in the style of the second rococo - a fine example of the most famous products of St. Petersburg of second half of the XIX century. In 1843 and for over 40 years, the largest producer of art situational bronze, worked on the orders of the Emperor and the grand yards, was Felix Chopin’s factory.

40 Interview ace Square, generous Christmas market in the Passage, feeling back a child on the ice rink… The city tries to make every walk around the winter Petersburg give the Christina Kuznetsova impressions of warming heartiness for all year round.

General Manager All these must-visit places are in the distance of 10-15 Domina Prestige St. Petersburg minutes of leisurely walk from the hotel. It is important – a hotel that wants to be a home for guests, should be located conveniently. At the hotel we provide the thing that we love most in Russian New Year – the atmosphere of family holiday – with all Italian passion of Domina chain.

Huge to the ceiling at lobby, handmade elves and puppets, attracting Christmas fair with the pastry from our Chef – collection of original and tasty souvenirs from winter St. Pete… New Year itself pre- sents a wonderful gala dinner with gifts and surprises, but a series of events here starts long before the 31st of December and lasts until almost the end of winter.

Treats for the body – famous tea-drinking with “Sam- ovar”, Russian pancakes and bagels, warming mulled wine and favourite sea buckthorn cocktail – we comple- ment with soul nourishment. During the whole winter the main city experts present for the guests exclusive sightseeing tours that are not easily available in summer. Almost every evening the hotel has its own exciting pro- gram: live music is followed by lectures on history and culture of St. Petersburg, and the concierges can get tick- ets for top performances and shows. Our guests have a privilege program in the Academic Capella - with a visit to the tzar ‘s lounge and backstage.

Winter Petersburg at Domina Prestige St. Petersburg: precious moments of warm hospitality

St. Petersburg is the best place to visit in winter – it charms in a special way. Bustle and crowding of sum- mer turn into serene enjoyment of the Hermitage Muse- um’s masterpieces, festive visit to the Mariinsky Theatre where at the peak of New Year season world famous plays change each other: “The Nutcracker”, “A Christmas Car- ol”, “The Sleeping Beauty”. The light show on the Pal-

41 42 December 19 – December 30 mid December — early January “The Hare is a Host The New Year Tale of the Hare Island” for Children

History Museum Scale Model Russian village “Shuvalovka” “Petrovskaya Akvatoria” shuvalovka.ru peteraqua.ru New Year and Christmas is time of magic. The program of the Russian village Shuvalovka is a fascinating jour- ney for children.

Children will take part in a master class and create a New Year souvenir, a , will take part in an entertaining program, will see a performance near the New Year tree with Ded Moroz (Russian Father Christmas) and play with Skomorokhs (medieval East Slavic actors) and (Slavic folklore character). After the program they will enjoy traditional tea and pies.

December 19 – December 30 The Hare will take you in an interactive New Year pro- gram with theatrical performances, games, competitions The New Year Tale for and an entertaining story about St. Petersburg. Children in the White The city of St. Petersburg was founded in the Hare Is- land. There is a legend about its name. It is said that when Tower there was a flood, a little hare jumped into a boot of Peter the Great, and this is how it survived. That is why the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve island where we can see the Peter and Paul Fortress was tzar.ru named “the Hare Island”. Children will meet a fairy in Alexander Park in Tsar- The duration of the program is 1 hour. At the end of the skoye Selo. She will take them in a fascinating journey in program all participants will be given sweet New Year fairy tales that once the Imperial children liked to read. presents and souvenirs from “Petrovskaya Akvatoria”. Children will learn about Christmas and New Year tra- 43 ditions, how people used to decorate the Christmas tree Children will learn how the Benois family celebrated before, and how the tsar family celebrated these two hol- Christmas and New Year, when and why the first New idays. Year tree appeared in Russia, how the first New Year tree decorations looked like. Children will play with Ded Moroz (Russian Father Christmas) and listen to a small concert. At the end everyone will receive a New Year present.

December 18 — December 29 “New Year in the Farm Palace”

Peterhof State Museum Reserve peterhofmuseum.ru

December 18 — December 29 “New Year in the Museum of the Benois Family”

Peterhof State Museum Reserve peterhofmuseum.ru

Children will meet Maria Alexandrovna, Empress of Russia, or one of her ladies-in-waiting. She will tell them about the Imperial family’s life in Peterhof in summer, how people celebrated New Year and Christmas in the 19th century, when and why the first New Year tree ap- peared in Russia, how the first New Year tree decora- The children are be told about what a family is, what fam- tions looked like before, and when and where the first ily were in Russia in the nineteenth century. The guests confetti and sparklers were created. will see the Benois family’s genealogical tree, portraits of members of the family, painted by themselves, the ear- Children will see old toys, photographs and Christmas ly work of children, which are carefully stored for more postcards; also they will meet Ded Moroz (Russian Fa- than 150 years, the original children’s toys presented in a ther Christmas) and receive New Year gifts. re-created the Children’s room.

44 December 22 — December 29 December 29, 2016 — January 5, 2017 “Looking for the N e w Year Enchanted Harp” at Lenfilm Studio

New Year Performance for Children The “ASM-ART” Theatre Pavlovsk State Museum asm-art.ru pavlovskmuseum.ru The oldest film studio invites children to one of its pa- vilions to perform together with actors and take part in filming. Children will learn general tips of acting, try new suits, try themselves as editors and they even will voice films! Children will be filmed, so, they will give an interview and say their congratulations with New Year. Video will be making during the performance.

Children will walk through Pavlovsk Palace with fairy- tale characters; they will have an interactive program with riddles. The children will be offered to create the decorations for the performance. The Concert Hall will meet its little guests with the New Year performance “Looking for the Enchanted Harp”.

Children will meet Ded Moroz and (a Slav- ic fictional character similar to that of Father Christmas and his granddaughter and helper), receive presents and then take a ride on the blue train through the Linden Al- ley of the Pavlovsk park.

Starts at 10:30, 14:00

45 January 7 — January 8, 2017 Concert “The ”

Mariinsky Theatre mariinsky.ru

“Christmas Miracle” - a moving spectacle where a trio of angels tells the story of the Nativity by the puppet thea- tre language.

Angels will come to breathe life into the puppet charac- ters with music and songs to show the Christmas story. The performance delivers unique atmosphere, imbued with magic and sincerity. is shown not as a biography, but as a kind and bright fairy tale.

December 28, 2016 — January 8, 2017 New Year in the Roman Traditions

The Suvorov Memorial Museum suvorovmuseum.ru The Concert Hall of the Mariinsky theatre stages Frag- ments from the opera “The Gingerbread House”. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov admired Roman sol- diers, that is why the Suvorov Memorial Museum invites The performance is staged by the director Alexander children and their parents to celebrate New Year in An- Maskalin. The romantic opera by German composer cient Rome. Engelbert Humperdinck Hänsel und Gretel is based on the homonymous fairy tale by Brothers Grimm. Children will meet Ded Moroz (Slavic Father Christ- mas), Snegurochka (his granddaughter and helper) and Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov himself. They will visit January 7, 2017 Ancient Rome, try costumes of Ancient Gods, heroes and soldiers. Puppet-Show of the There will be games, poetic and music competitions, Nativity traditional dances, workshops where children will learn to paint on candles and to bake cookies, all of them chil- ”Christmas Miracle“ dren can take with them as keepsakes.

The Museum of Mittens Start at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 46 December 31, 2016 — January 8, 2017 The guests of the Big Theatre of Puppets will visit a folk festival, hear traditional songs and dances. They will New Years Performances meet Skomorokhs (medieval East Slavic strolling per- formers), Gypsies, bears. The real Christmas fair will be in The Big Theatre of open in the theatre with folk festivities. Puppets The Mystery The Big Theatre of Puppets puppets.ru of New Year Tree

A Performance based on New Year and Christmas poems

The performance “The Mystery of New Year Tree” is based on the poem “The ” by Oleg Grigoriev (Russian poet and artist). Children will learn about Christmas and New Year through poems and ac- tivities. The highlight of the play is the snow: the children will see it. New Year tree will be waiting for the little specta- tors in the lobby of the theatre.

From the 31 December till 8 January the Big Theatre of Puppets is the venue for the New Year’s performances. Everyone will enjoy a funny performance, original pre- sents, buffet and good mood. Morozko

A performance based on a Russian fairy tale

January 3, 4, 6, 8, 2017 The Festival Program for Children and Parents “Christmastide”

The State Museum of Political History of Russia polithistory.ru

The program is dedicated to the history of Christmas- tide, the main winter holiday. The program includes acquaintance with Christmastide. You will learn how Christmastide was celebrated in a countryside and in a city and what happened with the main holiday in Soviet time. 47 Interview are reflected in the internal design of the hotel that cre- ates an impression of the atmosphere of the past.

Elshan Babaev The copies of the Hermitage masterpieces and original paintings of modern Saint Petersburg artists surround General Director, The State Hermitage Museum the guests. The hotel regularly hosts exhibitions, con- Official Hotel in St. Petersburg certs and meetings. We try to convey a real Saint Peters- burg spirit and be a leader of the hospitality industry.

What does the hotel welcome the guests with in winter 2016/2017, what proposals has prepared?

We are sure that the winter journey to Saint Petersburg has to be covered with particular romantic and charm, and for this reason we are developing special New Year programs. Indeed, the New Year is time of real magic! For once, we are doing a New Year masquerade in the traditions of the Russian Imperial Family.

The celebration “Imperial funs” will be full of music, dance and a lot of other entertainments of noble epoch. Each guest will feel as a lady-in-waiting or a notable grandee. The celebration will be held in interactive for- mat where the guests will be the direct participants of the New Year celebration. The night will be filled with mysteries and secrets many of which will be revealed at the last moment.

The highlight of the program is the unforgettable mu- sical and theater show with the best actors of the Saint Petersburg theaters and on-stage performance groups. If desired we can continue the New Year funs in the Im- perial suburbs of Saint Petersburg. We are always ready to organize an unforgettable walk on the snowy alleys in horse-drawn carriages or the real winter hunt with greyhounds.

What The State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel is unique for?

There are no analogs of the State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel in Saint Petersburg and around the world. Our partner is Hermitage. It is one of the most remark- able art and cultural-historical museums of Russia. The hotel is continuing activity of museum as a keeper of cul- tural values. The historical interior of the Winter Palace

48 49 a tee or a ginger drink with Christmas delicacy from Skating rink on the different and distant lands. Children under 18 years old skate for free. Naberezhnaya Admiralteyskogo kanala 2 Skating rink on the Mon-Thu 11:00–21:00 Fri-Sun and holidays 11:00–22:30 Bolshaya Ploschad in The skating rink of 2000 m2 square on New Holland the Sergei Kirov Central Park

Elagin Island, 4 Mon-Fri 11:00–22:00 Sat, Sun 10:00–22:00

Island is opened during the whole winter season. There are 300 people who can skate here at the same time. The skating rink is situated before the scene, where the win- ter concerts and spectacles are taken place. People can change their clothes and left them in a cloak room, hire the skates or sharpen their own ones in a special hall. The skating rink works according to the system of ses- sions. You can buy tickets online or in the ticket offices. Open air skating rink on Bolshaya ploschad is a popular place where citizens and guests of Saint Petersburg get Skating rink on the a rest. It is free. You can bring your own skates or hire them here. Pionerskaya Ploschad

Pionerskaya ploschad Skating rink in the Daily 12:00–22:00 Moskovsky Park Pobedy

Kuznetsovskaya ulitsa, 25 Mon-Fri 13:00–23:00 Sat, Sun 10:00–23:00

Together with the biggest Saint-Petersburg Christmas fair an open air ice skating rink on Pionerskaya ploschad starts working. After the skating you can warm up with 50 The skating rink is situated in the Victory Park (Park Zima Leto Park of Active Recreation and Sport offers Pobedy) right on the pond. You can bring your own two skating rinks, huge ice slide about 6 meters high, skates or you can hire them. The entrance has no time skate and inflatable sledge rental to its guests. Mini Zoo limit: you can skate the whole day from the opening till where visitors can feed real squirrels and rabbits is open the closure. on the territory of the park. Skating rink on the Skating rink and deer Treugolnaya Ploschad farm in Laplandia Park Pushkin, Treugolnaya ploschad Daily 12:00–22:00 Ryukhina ulitsa, 9 (entrance from the central avenue of the Maritime Victory Park) Mon-Thurs, Sun 11:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 11:00–23:00

The skating rink is situated in the centre of the palace and park complex of Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Pre- serve in the town of Pushkin, near the Catherin Palace, between the Catherin and Alexander Parks. Skating rink and Tsar Gora in Zima Leto Park of Active Recreation and Sport St. Petersburg has its own Lapland! Winter Amusement Vyborgskoye shosse, 130 Laplandia Park is open on Krestovsky Island. Here you Daily 11:00–20:00 can skate, feed the reindeers and stroll through the fair. Outdoor rink in Laplandia Park works under any weath- er conditions till +15 degrees. Experienced instructor is always on duty on the ice rink. The ticket price includes a deer farm tour where you can see the real reindeers.

Guests can feed the reindeers with reindeer moss, have the pictures taken with them and visit the reindeer herd- er’s hut in which reindeer herders live in the far North. On weekends animated entertaining programs are held for children in the park.

51 Interview To visit St. Petersburg in winter is to plunge into a real Russian winter fairy tale! Victoria Dolgolevets What does Taleon Imperial Hotel offer for its guests in winter season 2016/2017? General Manager, Taleon Imperial Hotel The Taleon Imperial Hotel is an ideal place for winter re- laxation. The hotel has 89 rooms which are nice to have a rest there after a long walk through the winter city. You can take your seat in a cozy arm-chair in Atlantes lob- by bar with a cup of fragrant coffee or a glass of mulled wine and be accompanied with the sound of crackling birch logs in the fireplace. The Taleon Imperial Hotel has prepared something special for those who want to warm up in the Russian style – Eliseev Banya. Guests are welcomed to find out the native Russian traditions of re- laxation: to warm up with birch brooms, to plunge into the ice bath, to relax in the unique hayloft with meadow herbs. We have developed a special Magical SPA Week- end offer for those who want to feel summer in the mid- dle of winter. This offer includes accommodation, food, and the visit of the exclusive SPA-complex with 22-meter swimming pool under the glass dome, and the number of unique procedures to restore strength and energy.

Another offer is the gala dinners that take place in the Taleon Restaurant on Sundays during the winter season. Sunday Gala Dinner is the true gastronomic journey, every week the Chef of the restaurant Alexander Dregol- sky creates new original menu of 5 courses.

In your opinion, what are the most But the most important event of the winter is the New exciting things in Saint Petersburg in Year Gala Dinner that will take place in the Taleon Res- winter? taurant. The New Year at the Taleon Imperial Hotel is always the exquisite festive menu and the bright musical It is especially pleasant to visit Saint Petersburg in winter program. This evening, without any doubt, will become time: the city is not overcrowded in this time of the year, one of the most interesting and memorable events of the so the visitors of the Northern capital can stroll slowly year. through the picturesque snow-covered streets. Guests of the Taleon Imperial Hotel can walk to the main attrac- tions of St. Petersburg – the hotel is located in the histor- ical city center within walking distance from the State Hermitage Museum, the treasury of the world culture, magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Kazan Cathedral, one of the largest churches of St. Petersburg.

A wonderful opportunity to feel Russian culture and tra- ditions deeply is to try traditional Russian amusement – riding on the trio of horses, for example in Pavlovsk. You should certainly include a visit to the theater (drama or music) in your evening program – everyone can find something to one’s taste in the Northern capital.

52 53 54 55 Photo: Committee for Entrepreneurship and Consumer Market Development St. Petersburg, Gatchina Palace and Estate Museum , Historical Theatrical Scale Model “Petrovskaya akvatoria”, Russian Village “Shuvalovka”, The State Peterhof Museum Reserve, The State Museum Pavlovsk, Theatre “ASM-ART”, The State Academic Mariinsky Theatre, The Mu- seum of Mitten, Big Puppet Theater, E.M.Kalinovskaya, The Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve, The State Hermit- age Museum, The Yusupov Palace, Erarta Contemporary Art Museum, The State Museum of the History of Religion, The Russian Museum of Ethnography, The State Museum of Political History of Russia, The Military­Historical Muse- um of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps, St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonia named after D. D. Shostakovich, Museum “Art of the Fan”, Chaliapin Memorial Apartment, Saint Petersburg Court Chapel, New Holland, Lapland park, A. Petrosyan, I. Smelov, Bolmir.ru, Warryg(www.skyscrapercity.com), lempertz.com, Black-cat.by, Metmuseum.org, avanage.ru, WorldPix.ru, rollerpower.ru.