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The most important thing I managed to discuss with Mikhail Piotrovsky was not the perpetual succession of museum directors in Moscow, nor the robbery of the Louvre, nor even the hysterics around "colonial museums", but a very specific and direct question:

The East · Interviews · Museums · Heritage · Saint Petersburg

The most important thing I managed to discuss with Mikhail Piotrovsky was not the perpetual succession of museum directors in Moscow, nor the robbery of the Louvre, nor even the hysterics around "colonial museums", but a very specific and direct question:

What lamps? Lamps of the 14th century, a fine example of Islamic applied art, once presented by Timur to the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and kept there until the early 20th century. There were six such lamps in all. The Hermitage, it turned out, has two and a half,

By Alexandr Radayev
My long interview with Mikhail Piotrovsky has been published, timed to the release of his new book "I Am an Arabist" but focused mainly on the modern museum and the cultural environment around it

The East · Interviews · Books · Museums · Heritage · People · Saint Petersburg

My long interview with Mikhail Piotrovsky has been published, timed to the release of his new book "I Am an Arabist" but focused mainly on the modern museum and the cultural environment around it

I met Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky after the presentation of his book at the Peredelkino House of Creativity. After several hours with the public, an autograph session and filming, the legendary Piotrovsky nonetheless received me with energy and good humour. I tried not to ask the questions that every journalist has

By Alexandr Radayev
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