History of Russia: Hermitage launches ceremony timed to the Russian Guards Day

On September 2 the State Hermitage jointly with the command of the Western Military District is holding a ceremony timed to the Russian Guards Day at the St George Hall of the Winter Palace.

Historical banners and standards of the guards’ regiments have been brought into the St George Hall from State Hermitage collections. The Orchestra of Headquarters of Military District and an Honor Guards Company of the Western Military District attend the ceremony.

Following the tradition military ceremonies and palace parades were held at the Winter Palace. It was not only the Tsar’s residence but also kind of a military museum, preserving items connected with Russian military history. The names of the parade halls of the Winter Palace speak to this role – St George Hall, Field Marshals’ Hall, Memorial Hall of Peter the Great, Armorial Hall, Sentry Hall, Military Gallery of 1812.

The Russian Guards Day is celebrated on September 2. This holiday was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation in 2000 which saw 300th anniversary of the formation of the Russian Imperial Guards. It was on this day that in 1700 Emperor Peter the Great first called the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky Regiments the Life Guards.