Russian President Vladimir Putin, together with the heads of the CIS countries, toured the Hermitage treasures, RIA Novosti reports.
The informal summit, which has been held in St. Petersburg for almost two decades under the leadership of the President of Russia, is traditionally accompanied by a large-scale cultural program. This year, Putin decided to show the guests the main exhibits of the State Hermitage Museum.
Guests passed through the 17th- and 18th-century French Art Halls and descended the October Stairs to the Central Asian Halls, the museum's main treasure trove, the Golden Room of the Treasure Gallery. Precious stones and oriental art weapons from the Hermitage's archaeological collection are displayed here. Visitors can see the unique gold objects of the Scythian kings, the fine jewelry of the ancient Greek masters and the Siberian collection of Peter the Great. Of particular note are the treasures of the Eastern countries: the magnificently bejeweled treasures of the Great Moguls, the gifts given to the Russian court by Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran, Chinese filigree jewelry and samples of ceremonial weapons.
The CIS leaders also visited the 18th-century French art gallery, which was formerly part of Empress Maria Feodorovna's palace, and the War Art Gallery complex. It is now dedicated to the Rococo masters - François Boucher, Nicolas Lancre, Charles Vanlou, Jean-Baptiste Pater, as well as the sculptor Etienne Falcone ("Cupid").
