The message reads, in part:
“Your devoted and multifaceted work, your entire life are bound by strong creative ties to the famous Pushkin Museum, and to the preservation of our invaluable historical, cultural and spiritual heritage. Over your years of devoted service to your profession, you have done much to make this museum a world centre of the arts and education”.
Soviet and Russian art historian Irina Antonova was Director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts from 1961 until 2013, and has been President of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts since 2013.