Venue:
Hermitage Theatre, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Organisors:
State Hermitage Museum and
Iran Heritage Foundation,
in association with
Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute.

Chairperson:
M Piotrovski, Director of State Hermitage Museum.

Convenors:
A Adamova and F Hakimzadeh.

Conference committee:
A Adamova, C Adle, O Akimushkin, M Bogolyubov, B G Fragner, J Gurney, F Hakimzadeh, A Ivanov, I Steblin-Kamensky and M Rogers.

Supporters:
Christies, Credit Suisse, Eastern Art Report, Flora Family Foundation, Hali Magazine, M Hoomani, Sothebys, and the Golden Guests of the Hermitage Conference.

Introduction:
Starting in the 16^th century, an interest emerged in Europe to accumulate knowledge about Persia, its history, art and culture. This led to the establishment of chairs at universities, the formation of collections of printed books and manuscripts in libraries and eventually the accumulation of art collections in both the private and public domain. Eminent personalities and scholars emerged, who shaped Europe’s thinking. The result of archaeological excavations enriched many European museums with extraordinary Persian works of art.  The perception of the West about Persia evolved and knowledge about its culture and history increased. The purpose of this conference is to investigate this history of the study of Persian culture and history from the 16^th century to the early parts of the 20^th century. The papers presented will discuss scholars, academics and cultural  institutions; archaeological missions, art and artefacts; dealers, curators, art-historians and collectors; analysis of the political, cultural and economic conditions that served as the background against which the interest in the country and Persian culture took shape and found a direction; the objectives and motivations behind this interest in the Persian world.

State Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre:
The Hermitage is one of the world’s most celebrated museums, the pride of Russia and her northern capital, St. Petersburg. The Museum houses more than three and a half million works of art. These include paintings, sculptures, drawings and engravings, one of the richest collections of works of the applied arts and more than one million coins and medals and archaeological and cultural artefacts. The Museum occupies five buildings in the centre of St. Petersburg being one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles. It includes the Winter Palace, the former residence of the Russian emperors, the Hermitage Theatre and also the museum buildings proper: the Small, Old and New Hermitages. The conference will take place in the Hermitage Theatre, which is inside the museum itself. This allows guests and delegates to leave the auditorium at any time and wonder around the beautiful galleries within the Museum. The Museum was initiated in 1764 by Empress Catherine II. The theatre was built in 1783-87 by the architect Giacomo Quarenghi by the order of the Empress. The Persian and Central Asian works of art in the Hermitage collections are legendary. In addition to the extraordinary Persian collections from the Islamic period, the holdings include one of the best collections in the world of silver objects from the Sassanid era (3^rd to 7^th century), the oldest known Persian carpet and the unbelievable collection of Scythian gold. 

Additional events:
Special exhibition on Persian art from the holdings of the State Hermitage.
Private viewing of the Hermitage collections.
Visit to sites in and around St. Petersburg.

Travel, visas, accommodation:
Except for the conference speakers all guests need to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. See www.travel.spb.ru for relevant information on St. Petersburg, including an extensive list of hotels etc. Obtaining a visa for entry into Russia takes several weeks. Contact the closest Russian consular office for details required for obtaining a visa. Contact ‘enquiries’ below for additional information.

Registration fee:
Full registration   200 Pounds
Academics and students   150 Pounds
(Registration fee is inclusive of lunch on the days of the conference, a private tour of the Hermitage and visits to selected sites in and around St. Petersburg. Concession rate subject to presentation of proof of status; payments without proof of concessionary status will be returned).

Enquiries:
020 74934766, info@iranheritage.org.