The message reads, in part:
“A hundred years ago, on April 18, 1919, the Russian Academy for the History of Material Culture was established. The Russian Academy of Sciences’ Archaeology Institute in Moscow and the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for the History of Material Culture in St Petersburg carry on this academy’s traditions with dignity.
Since then, these leading centres have accumulated great experience in carrying out basic and field research, and have made an immense contribution to enriching global humanitarian knowledge.
Of course, they have also raised numerous generations of scientists who have applied their talents and skills at scientific institutions, museums, archaeological expeditions and relevant departments of Russian and foreign higher education institutions.
It is gratifying that you treasure the unique creative legacy of your predecessors, contribute significantly to studying the most important sources of information about Russia’s key historic events and the priceless spiritual and cultural heritage of our ancestors, and bring sought-after research, educational and awareness-raising projects to life.”