International conferences: Conferences “Museum and Politics” in Saint-Petersburg and Yekaterinburg

The International conference "Museums and Politics" is held from 9 to 14 September 2014. From 9 to 12 September conference events are held in St. Petersburg, from 13 to 14 September - in Yekaterinburg.

The conference "Museums and Politics" is unique in its own way - it connects the current topic, the international and interdisciplinary context.

For the first time after the General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) of 1977 in St. Petersburg will be gathered more than 300 museum experts from Germany, the USA, Russia, Belgium, China, Canada, the UK, France, Norway, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and many other countries.

The theme of the conference suggests that in addition to a wide range of museum professionals in it are also participating artists, the different levels of policy, business and the media. At the conference will be considered all aspects of the relationship of museums and of power: from the state policy in the field of museology and exhibition strategies, issues, and the last international relations in the museum field.

First the joint conference is organized by the National Committees of ICOM countries from different continents, which suggests a single museum space and the desire of the museum community to establish sustainable relationships that do not depend directly on the political situation.

The Conference will consist of two parts, held in two different Russian cities – Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. In addition to expanded session presentations, participants will also be able to visit heritage sites and museums of these two cities. Because sessions and other events will be held in museums and other cultural sites, the conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn more about Russian museums and collections and connect with international colleagues.

The main venue of the conference in St. Petersburg will be the State Hermitage Museum, including this event in the program of the anniversary celebrations in the year of its 250th anniversary.