C&I Newsletter, February 2019

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg remains one of the most romantic cities in Russia. Among the many poetical names applied to St. Petersburg the most common are “Northern Venice” and “Northern Palmyra”. The fascinating palaces and cathedrals, beautiful bridges over Venice-like canals, spacious squares and wide streets decorated with edifices of flourished baroque and impressive classical styles, monumental sculpture and lacy iron grilles and, of course, the special spirituality of this city infects everyone who visits it. In 1991 the city was placed on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage. We offer you some venues options for gala events in the city.

Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva

Ethnography Museum (up to 400 guests) - Marble Hall for a gala evening

Ethnography Museum Just across the square from Grand Hotel Europe there is one of the most interesting museums of St. Petersburg.
The museum is devoted to the culture and everyday life of the peoples of Russia. One of the world's largest Ethnographic museums.
The tools, domestic items, folk costumes, utensils and objects of ritual that are exhibited in the 24 halls of the museum, give an idea about the occupations of the population, their dwellings, holidays, rites and religious beliefs. We are happy to offer it as venue for welcome or gala event.
Marble Hall A cocktail is served in the entrance hall in front of the magnificent marble staircase. String quartet accompanies cocktail. “Catherine the Great and Peter the Great" meet the guests at the entrance.
Delicious seated dinner awaits for the clients, accompanied by string quintet or small string orchestra.
ballet performance During dinner the guests enjoy ballet performance (15 min performance, recorded background music) – pieces from classic ballets. Kids ballet concert can be offered as addition.

Interc ative elements – involving the guests in traditional dances, games are included in the evnneing performance.
Folkore group OR “Russian Evening” dinner – the guests sink in the atmosphere of the traditional folk art in Russia Folkore group meets the guests at the entrances. The guests proceed to one of the halls decorated specially for the event.
The tables are decorated with famous Russian shawls.
At dinner the guests enjoy the concert of the group performing Russian and Cossack dances as well as Russian army choir.

Imperial Grand Hall in Taleon hotel (up to 200 guests)

Taleon Imperial Hotel Taleon Imperial Hotel 5* is located in the historical centre of St. Petersburg, in the former palace of the Russian aristocratic family, the Eliseevs, it is the only hotel in the city which provides accommodation in a czarist-era palace. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Palace Square, the State Hermitage Museum, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Kazan Cathedral.
Taleon Imperial HotelThe Imperial hall of the hotel perfectly suits for the farewell dinner. The magnificent ballroom was built in the 1840s, and later enlarged and redecorated by the architect Nikolay Grebenka.
In the 1850s the piano manufacturer Lichtenthal began to organise musical evenings; and the composer Franz Lizst performed here. The Russian Musical Association, founded by the composer and pianist Anton Rubenstein, held concerts and meetings in this famous room.
Taleon Imperial Hotel The Society of Noble Dancing (later the Society of Nobles) put on lectures here, gave literary readings and concerts. Famous writers read their compositions in the ballroom, including Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ivan Turgenev, Dmitry Pisarev, Mikhail Saltykov-Schedrin.
Taleon Imperial Hotel String quartet accompanies dinner (It is possible to dress the musicians in costumes of the epoch). The guests proceed to the Imperial hall where seated dinner is arranged for them.

Or/and opera 15 min performance by soloists (tenor and soprano) of the city music theatres or world famous Mariinsky theatre is arranged for the guests.

Yussupov palace – exclusive rent of the whole palace, short tour, welcome cocktail, private performance in the theatre palace, seated dinner in White Column Hall

Yussupov palace The Yussupov Palace is arguably the most interesting and beautifully preserved palace in the city. Built in the 1740s and then bought by Catherine the Great for one of her ladies in waiting, it was eventually purchased by Prince Nikolai Yusupov in 1830 for 250,000 roubles. A fortune at the time. Subsequently it was here that Prince Felix Yusupov planned and carried out the murder of Rasputin. All the rooms are beautifully restored and full of art, while the highlight must surely be the exquisite private theatre, built for Zineida Yusupov, where such renowned artists as Anna Pavlova and Shaliapin have performed.
Yussupov palaceWe recommend this venue as this is one of the most beautiful palaces of the city and it is venue that played great role in history of Russia – it is the site of murder of Rasputin/plot of aristocracy of Russia. Beside this is the only palace which has its own theatre – real gem!
Yussupov palace Gala dinner in Yusupov Palace:
Actors dressed in period costumes meet and greet guests at the huge entrance doors and flank the white marble staircase which leads to the next floor. As you walk up to a reception, the strains of music float down from a chamber orchestra playing above.
Yussupov palace After a welcoming glass of champagne, there will be a short tour of the main rooms before descending to the miniature theatre for a private concert of your choice.

Dinner will be held in the magnificent white columned Banquet Hall.
String quartet accompanies dinner.