Topic: Grand Duchess Maria
St. Petersburg Governor, George Poltavchenko met with the Head of the Russian Imperial House, the Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, at the Smolny today, where they discussed preparations for the 36th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be held this year in St. Petersburg. The main topic of the session will be devoted to the preservation of the historic center of the former Russian capital.
The Governor met with the Grand Duchess and her son, the Grand Duke Georgi Mikhailovich, also noted that the program is being developed to preserve the historic city center, which will be financed from both federal and municipal budgets, as well as private investors. It will enable a comprehensive approach to addressing the conservation of the historical center of the Northern capital. "The city looks great, it has changed a lot since I visited it for the first time in 1992,"--said the Grand Duchess. She also acknowledged the the amount of restoration work already accomplished of historic sites around the city.
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and Governor Poltavchenko also discussed preparations marking the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty in 2013. A number of events are scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, as well as the suburban palace-museum complexes.
"This is a celebration not only of the history of my family. The most important thing we can do is develop events and activities that will benefit everyone,"--said the Grand Duchess.
During her visit to St. Petersburg this week, the Grand Duchess Maria also visited Kronstadt, Oranienbaum, and Tsarskoye Selo. At Kronstadt, she signed a sponsorship agreement between the Russian Imperial House and the Baltic Fleet's escort ship, Yaroslav the Wise.
While in St. Petersburg, the Grand Duchess Maria and Grand Duke Georgi also attended a service marking the 20th anniversary of the death of her father, the Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, who served as Head of the Russian Imperial House for more than 50 years, from 1938-1992.
© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 25 April, 2012
Updated: Saturday, 28 April 2012 2:09 PM EDT
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