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Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, received a grand welcome by President Vladimir Putin at Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg yesterday (26 January) during his official visit to Russia.
The meeting reflects Russia’s highest appreciation towards friendly ties between both countries.
Established in 1755, the museum is amomg the oldest and largest art and cultural institutions in the world, with more than three million artworks and artifacts in its collection.
His Majesty’s inaugural special visit to Saint Petersburg comes at the special invitation of President Putin, underscoring the vital role of the Malaysian Monarchy as a catalyst for the nation’s diplomacy.
In August last year, Sultan Ibrahim performed a state visit to Moscow, making history as the first Malaysian Head of State to do so since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1967. His Majesty also visited Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan, during last year’s tour.
Hermitage Museum houses artwork by masters of classic art such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Rembrandt
As you have already read earlier, the Hermitage houses over three million items, spanning from the Stone Age to the early 20th century. Its walls contain the world’s largest collection of paintings, featuring the definitive masters of the Western canon.
One highlight of the museum is its Italian Rennaisance collection. The Hermitage is the only place in Russia where one can see original works by Leonardo Da Vinci, specifically the Benois Madonna and the Madonna Litta. It also houses Raphael’s Conestabile Madonna and the only Michelangelo sculpture in the country, Crouching Boy.
In the Pavilion Hall of the museum sits a crowd favourite: The Peacock Clock. This 18th-century mechanical marvel features a life-sized golden peacock that fans its tail, accompanied by a rooster and an owl.
The “Cat Guards” of Hermitage
Perhaps the most famous employees of the Hermitage aren’t its curators, but the cats.
Since the 18th century, a “mousery” of cats has been kept on-site to protect the priceless artworks from rodents.
Today, about 50 to 70 cats still live in the basements, complete with their own “press secretary” and annual festival in their honour.
According to BBC journalist James Rodgers, the Hermitage felines are no ordinary cats. Based on local belief, they come from Kazan in Tatarstan, which is famous for the rat-catching skills of its cats.
Since the museum houses so many cats, anyone who is interested are also allowed to adopt them through the Hermitage Cat Shelter website.
It’s pretty nice to know that Russians shares the same passion for cats as we Malaysians do!
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The King In Saint Petersburg: Agong Meets Putin At One Of The World’s Oldest Museums
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