Shvydkoy sees no replacement for current Hermitage head Piotrovsky

Mikhail Shvydkoy, special representative of the Russian president for international cultural cooperation, has said that he sees no replacement for Mikhail Piotrovsky, director general of the State Hermitage. He told Izvestia on December 2, commenting on Piotrovsky's statement made the same day about "preparing for a change of guard."

"I think that to date there is no replacement for Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky. <...> There is no such figure today who could preserve and develop the Hermitage and at the same time conduct a constructive dialog with the professional community, the authorities and the public," Shvydkoy said.

In his opinion, the current head of the Hermitage is perfectly familiar with the situation in the museum and is able to communicate constructively with the professional community, the authorities and the public at the same time. Shvydkoy expressed the opinion that there is no one as capable of preserving and developing the museum today.

According to him, the fact that Piotrovsky said that he is ready for a "change of guard" does not mean that this should happen in the near future. The art historian shared how Irina Antonova, former general director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, told him at the age of 80 that she would step down, but did so only closer to the centennial.

Shvydkoy also denied information about an exchange of posts between Piotrovsky and Glenn Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, saying that "this will certainly not happen."

According to the cultural figure, the decision on the future general director of the Hermitage will be made by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Mikhail Piotrovsky has been the head of the Hermitage since 1992. He succeeded his father Boris Piotrovsky. On December 9 this year Mikhail Piotrovsky will turn 80 years old.

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