On July 1, 2025, a virtual meeting took place on the online platform of the Russian House in Brussels as part of the “Hermitage Evenings” project. The theme of the event — “Wedding Ceremonies in Russia” — was dedicated to the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity, celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church.

This joint project of the State Hermitage Museum and the Russian House in Brussels brought together Russian- and French-speaking audiences interested in Russian history, culture, and traditions.

The special guest of the evening was Yulia Valeryevna Plotnikova, PhD in History and Senior Researcher at the State Hermitage.

Yulia Valeryevna gave a virtual tour of the exhibition in the Small Church of the Winter Palace, providing detailed insights into the traditions of imperial wedding ceremonies.

Attendees learned how the decoration of dresses indicated whether they were meant for an engagement or a wedding, the symbolic meanings of icons, dowries, crowns, and jewelry, and how these elements reflected the couple’s social status.

Special attention was given to the wedding garments of the imperial family. Guests listened with interest to the story of Nicholas I’s wedding attire and admired the luxurious wedding dress of Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, weighing over 10 kilograms.

Following the tour, a live Q&A session was held, where Yulia Valeryevna answered audience questions, shared little-known facts from the life of the royal family, and offered insight into museum work.

The event took place in a warm and informative atmosphere, receiving enthusiastic feedback and highlighting the importance of family traditions and Russia’s historical heritage.

Join us on August 26 for the next Hermitage meeting — “A Journey through the Grand Hermitage”. The tour will be led by Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky, Director of the State Hermitage Museum — a renowned scholar, expert in art history, and guardian of the traditions of one of the world’s greatest museums.