Official website of the President of Russia

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The message reads, in part:

“You are known and respected as an outstanding expert, a well-educated, talented and caring person, a true intellectual and devotee. Over the years you have been working in one of the most famous museums in Russia and the world, you have made a unique personal contribution to the preservation of the invaluable historic and spiritual legacy of humankind and the development of museum studies. Today, you continue to work hard to promote culture and education.”

Irina Antonova, Soviet and Russian art expert celebrates her 97^th birthday on March 20. She has been working at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts since 1945. She was museum Director from 1961 to 2013 and was appointed museum President in 2013.

Irina Antonova is a full holder of the Order for Services to the Fatherland, winner of the 2017 State Prize of the Russian Federation for outstanding achievements in humanitarian activities and holder of many Soviet, Russian, French, Italian and Japanese awards. She was part of the ICOM (International Council of Museums) management for over 10 years and an initiator of International Museum Day in 1977.