Dear Petersburgers:
News about the theft of exhibits at the Hermitage shook the entire cultural world and evoked feelings of anger and protest against those who were a party to this act of vandalism. The misfortune inflicted especially acute pain on us, Petersburgers, for whom the Hermitage is one of the iconic symbols of a great city, its cultural and spiritual epicenter.
In the course of routine inventory-checks, staff discovered the loss from storerooms of exhibits having both historical and artistic value.
The management of the Hermitage fully appreciates the seriousness of the crime that took place within its walls and has openly addressed the world community, asking for its assistance in returning the stolen antiques. Hundreds of people have responded to this appeal and to the publication of photos of the stolen goods in the Internet. Among the telephone calls which came in from Petersburgers, many provided information useful to investigators, as members of the commission have acknowledged with gratitude.
One characteristic feature of Petersburg culture during difficult times for the city was and remains the strength of spiritual solidarity, which finds expression in feelings of empathy, in a wish to support and provide assistance to the extent possible.
However, we must also note with sadness that some journalists in the mass media reporting on this deplorable event have betrayed all sense of measure and the cultural traditions of our city which developed over the course of three centuries to become one of the great national legacies.
Safeguarding museum collections is a worldwide problem. For the Russian community, it is an especially topical issue given that our museums are so rich in works of art and so poor in technical means of safeguarding them.
Members of the World Wide Club of Petersburgers are united in their love for their native city and are troubled by this latest occurrence of vandalism with respect to cultural treasures. We address the following message to our fellow citizens:
We believe in the heartfelt tenderness and sensitivity of Petersburgers and we ask that they provide all possible assistance in tracking down the stolen treasures. We appeal to the conscience of everyone who, either knowingly or out of ignorance, may have been involved in this shameful crime which outrages our countrymen and all those who love Petersburg and who esteem the Hermitage's unique collection.
We ask everyone who willingly or unwillingly came to own the stolen objects to demonstrate civic honesty and bravery, and to return the exhibits to the museum collections, where they belong.
We call upon Petersburgers and the mass media at this difficult moment for the Hermitage to support its staff, who have experienced such pain over the crime committed in their own house, where they have worked selflessly for decades, making scientific discoveries and safekeeping the works of world culture for us and for future generations.
Management Board of the World Wide Club of Petersburgers
7 August 2006
