богатство

"From June 20th 2009, 10 a.m., a major new European cultural destination, the greatly expanded Hermitage Amsterdam, will welcome visitors to its elegantly restored 17th-century building in the historic heart of Amsterdam. The new museum will inaugurate its spacious new home with the exhibition At the Russian Court, a dazzling display of more than 1,800 treasures from the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg."

Yesterday I had the honour to be invited to a preview of the opening exhibition of the Hermitage Amsterdam. My friend Conny, who lives opposite the new museum, on her ship, witnessed all the steps of development during two years. The whole event makes me happy. A nice change in Amsterdam cultureland is that this museum is finished in time and within budget. . The historic building is restored beautifully. Outside as well as inside. And yes, the exhibition is dazzling. Glitter and glamour of the Russian Court. Wonderful !