Prof. Mikhail B. Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage Museum, Mr. Amir Gross Kabiri, President of the Hermitage Museum Foundation Israel & the M.T. Abraham Foundation and Mr. Nicolas Iljine, Advisor to the General Director of the State Hermitage Museum, met with Mr. Israel Hasson, Director of the Israel Antiquity Authority, to discuss the Dead Sea Scroll Exhibition at the State Hermitage Museum, and the next steps to be taken for the realization of this ambitious and historic exhibition which is scheduled to open in 2019.

The discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in the Judean Desert, is the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century. Ever since their discovery, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been the focus of archeological research, scientific research and public fascination. Comprising thousands of fragments in various sizes, the Dead Sea Scrolls include the earliest examples of biblical compositions – the same texts that are still read by millions today. As opposed to other temporary exhibitions, the appeal of the Dead Sea Scrolls has not faded over the years. They still awaken in audiences feelings of identification, intellectual stimulation and excitement. The Scrolls have been exhibited in four continents and have yet to be presented in Russia.

Israel Antiquities Authority’s duty to conserve and preserve the scrolls in optimal conditions, achieved by displaying only selected scroll fragments for short periods of time while maintaining a strict preservation and security measures, alongside the everlasting demand for the scrolls to exhibited in new locations, intensify the rare Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition’s worldwide public interest and the exposure it receives.