On 26 February 2020, there took place the VIII Awards ceremony of The Art Newspaper Russia. The Moscow Kremlin Museums won the ‘Conservation of the Year’ nomination. The award was given “for a painstaking work of reviving unique artifacts and bringing the names of the modest heroes of the conservation studios into repute”.

The award in the shape of white crossing Big Ben and Spasskaya (Saviour) Tower of the Kremlin was granted to Director General of the Moscow Kremlin Museums Elena Gagarina and colleagues from the Conservation Department. The prize was presented by Director General of the TASS Agency Sergei Mikhailov. The awards ceremony was accompanied by a multimedia show related to museum pieces been conserved over the last five years, and the performance of the musicians of the ‘Kolokol’ band.

“There is nothing what can be done without conservers – nor an exhibition can be arranged, nor artifacts can be studied, nor scientific researches can be made. That is because we make up the shortfall of the information during the restoration process. I’d like to congratulate all those professionals who spent much strength and creative vitality on reviving ruined objects virtually from remains, which come out to us in wonderful, magnificent and perfect appearance”, said Elena Gagarina at gala ceremony.

The Art Newspaper Russia Award was established in 2012 and it celebrates the most significant events in five nominations in the field of art — Museum of the Year, Exhibition of the Year, Book of the Year, Conservation of the Year and Personal Contribution.