Saint Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum marked its annual Hermitage Cat Day on May 31st, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of its feline residents. The event featured themed exhibitions, contests, and master classes, providing a festive atmosphere for cat lovers of all ages.

The Grand Courtyard of the Winter Palace became a hub of activity, hosting free master classes, quizzes, and competitions. Attendees had the opportunity to paint wooden cat figures and even venture into the museum’s basements, the primary residence of the Hermitage cats.

Around fifty cats call the Hermitage basements home, serving as natural protectors of the museum’s invaluable collections from rodents. The cats are free to roam in and out through open basement windows, maintaining their independence while fulfilling their important role.

The “Cat House” in the basement proved to be a major attraction, with a long queue of visitors eager to meet the museum’s loyal guardians. Inside the Winter Palace, ticket holders could engage in the “Cats in the Hermitage, or a Journey with an Hermitage Cat” themed game.

Several exhibitions added to the day’s festivities. The “Cats, Flowers and Butterflies” exhibition opened, showcasing artistic interpretations of feline beauty alongside other natural elements.

The Jordan Gallery featured an exhibition of winning entries from the “Portrait of an Hermitage Cat” drawing competition. This year’s theme, “Cat – human helper. Dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War,” highlighted the supportive bond between humans and felines. The winning artworks were reproduced on postcards and bags.

In the General Staff Building, the “Once Upon a Time There Was a Cat” exhibition displayed twelve works by “New Urban Artists.” This social initiative aims to foster the creative abilities of individuals with mental disabilities, providing a platform for their artistic expression.