Mariinsky Theatre and Hermitage Museum to Celebrate St. Petersburg's 300th Anniversary Together

The State Hermitage Museum and the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre yesterday signed a cooperation agreement. Mikhail Piotrovsky and Valery Gergiev, the heads of two of Russia's most famous cultural institutions, put their signatures to the document, which sets out a programme of joint events to celebrate St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary.

The cooperation agreement includes a series of large-scale joint events in St. Petersburg, other Russian regions, and abroad. According to Piotrovsky, the main joint project will be a free ballet performance by the Mariinsky's stars on Palace Square in St. Petersburg on May 28, 2003. From July 5 to 13 the Mariinsky Theatre and the State Hermitage will take part in the 'Grand Waltz in Pavlovsk' festival, before attending the city of Pskov's 1,100th anniversary celebrations. The Mariinsky Theatre's stars will feature in a gala concert devoted to the Hermitage Theatre's 220th anniversary. In return, the Hermitage will take part in an exhibition devoted to the Mariinsky Theatre's 220th anniversary.