Museum experts from Russia have been learning about Bath’s heritage during a visit designed to forge stronger links with England.
The 12 senior managers and curators from the Kremlin Museums have been visiting southern England this month to learn more about architecture, heritage sites and museum collections.
The visit is also an opportunity for the delegation to look at possible areas of co-operation and mutual interest between the two countries on heritage issues.
The Kremlin and Red Square area of Moscow is, like the city of Bath, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The delegation was taken around the Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery (managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council), as well as Bath Abbey.
They were introduced to Bath’s Georgian architecture on a walking tour and also visited the Guildhall Banqueting Room.
The group was welcomed by members of the council’s heritage service team and representatives of Bath Abbey, as well as World Heritage consultant Chris Pound and Michael Rowe from the Friends of the Victoria Art Gallery.
Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, Cllr Cherry Beath, said: “Bath is one of just 28 UK World Heritage Sites and the nation’s only entire city to achieve this prestigious status.
“We are delighted to welcome the Kremlin delegation to appreciate the delights that Bath continues to offer to millions of visitors each year. It’s important for Bath & North East Somerset Council to help develop such close links with other World Heritage Sites and share best practice in managing these irreplaceable historic areas for the benefit of everyone.”
The delegation is being led by the renowned art historian and general director of the Kremlin Museums, Dr Elena Gagarina, who said: “We are absolutely delighted to come to the city of Bath. We are very experienced travellers and we like to visit something unexpected, something of special interest, and not just the well-known sites. We are open to new things and new experiences.
“We have received a wonderfully warm reception and we wish the city of Bath good luck, prosperity and lots of visitors.”
