At a recent meeting, the commission decided to allocate a substantial sum—a whopping 75 million rubles—to replenish the city museums' collections with valuable items, archives, and artifacts. And the results are impressive.
The 20th Century Literary Museum deserved special attention: a vast archive related to Vitaly Bianchi was brought there. The collection includes approximately 500 unique items—manuscripts and the writer's personal belongings. They will soon be on display in a new exhibition space in the Ice Palace.
Also included in the list is the theater library, containing the archive of Alexander Rykov, an artist and set designer who worked with leading directors despite his law degree. Now his work is easier to research and present.
The Museum of Theater and Musical Arts received an entire collection of 145 string instruments—zithers—which are extremely rare. The Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad and the Samoilov Apartment Museum of the Famous Actors are also expected to undergo renovations.
The Gatchina State Museum-Reserve has acquired some impressive antiques: an 18th-century French backgammon table and portraits of members of the imperial family. These items will take pride of place in the palace's recently restored halls.
Antique clocks and 19th-century vases have been brought to the Yelaginoostrovsky Palace, located in the park. The Anna Akhmatova Museum has been enriched with the archives of art historian and collector Pyotr Kornilov.
The Memorial Museum of Defense and Siege of Leningrad now exhibits works by Anatoly Yar-Kravchenko (graphics), and Manega has acquired three works by Vladimir Grinberg, created during the siege.
Finally, "Raznochinny Petersburg" now boasts a collection of antique cutlery from the early 20th century—a true historical treasure.
Thanks to these investments, St. Petersburg's museums have been given the chance to blossom in a new way, and visitors will have the opportunity to see incredible exhibits that tell the story of the city's rich history and the country's culture.