7. The Purring Warden: Cats of the Hermitage Museum
Renowned globally for its large collection of art and relics, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, houses masterpieces by some of the most eminent artists from history including Raphael, Michelangelo, and El Greco. Given its more than three million collection items—from prehistoric times to the present—one would expect guests to be totally preoccupied with the valuable displays. But the Hermitage has a special and lovely secret that usually grabs the interest of both residents and visitors: its own cat protectors.
Cats have been kept in the Hermitage since 1745 when Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great, issued an edict directing that “fine house cats” be sent from Kazan to the Winter Palace to apprehend mice. Cats have remained a continual feature of the museum since then, surviving revolutions, wars, and sieges. There are perhaps 50–70 cats living in the Hermitage now, all of which are very important in safeguarding the valuable relics from rats.
These feline guardians are official members of the Hermitage workforce, not merely stray animals that happened to find their way into the institution. Maria Haltunen, the cats’ personal press secretary, oversees their public relations and guarantees their narrative is shared with the globe. They also have committed caretakers who maintain their living quarters in the museum basement, feed them, and administer medical attention. To provide their best possible treatment, the cats even have their own kitchen and hospital.
The Hermitage cats have grown so well-known that they have a holiday. The museum honours “Day of the Hermitage Cat,” every spring, when guests may meet some of the feline guardians and learn about their background and place in the institution. Drawing cat enthusiasts from all around, this festival has grown to be a treasured custom in St. Petersburg.
Although their main responsibility is pest control, the cats have also become to be a main attraction of the museum. Often seen lazing in sunny courtyards or roaming throughout the grounds, visitors help to bring the old institution some aspect of living history. The museum even offers a “adopt a cat” program, letting cat aficionados fund one of the Hermitage felines because the animals have grown very popular.
The fact that these cats live in such a famous university begs fascinating issues regarding the junction of nature and culture. These creatures remind us of our relationship to the natural world in a setting set to honour human artistic accomplishments. They also show how the straightforward, age-old technique of cat pest management may help even the most sophisticated cultural establishments.
The Hermitage cats provide a special illustration of how high culture may coexist with practicality and history. These little animals have become treasures in their own right, appreciated by staff and guests alike, in a museum full of valuable artefacts. Their presence gives the great halls of the Hermitage some warmth and energy, reminding us that there is always space for a little feline appeal even in the most royal of surroundings.
zi ang