ST. PETERSBURG, December 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, first class, to Director General of the State Hermitage Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky.

A decree on bestowing the award was signed two weeks earlier, on Piotrovsky’s eightieth anniversary. The head of the State Hermitage Museum now has the full set of Orders for Merit to the Fatherland.

The State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest art museums worldwide. It is located in St. Petersburg. Mikhail Piotrovsky has been working at the Hermitage since 1991, becoming its director in 1992. In September 2022, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reappointed Piotrovsky as the Hermitage’s director general for another three years.

The Order for Merit to the Fatherland is awarded to Russian citizens for outstanding achievements related to the strengthening of Russian statehood, socio-economic development and the country’s increased boosted defensive ability, scientific research and development of culture and arts. Additionally, the award can be bestowed for outstanding athletic achievements and bolstering peace, friendship and cooperation between people.