This is a Huge Honor for the Janpoladians and Ter-Pogossians: Mikhail Piotrovsky

You are already aware that, upon the proposal of Mayor Hayk Marutyan, the renowned Orientalist and director of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Mikhail Piotrovsky, has been awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan.

The spokesperson for Yerevan City Hall, Hakob Karapetyan, wrote: "Mikhail Borisovich just sent us a message in response to the Council's decision: 'I am touched, happy, and flattered. This is a huge honor that would have delighted my mother, my father, and all the wonderful Yerevanians with whom I have had the privilege of interacting throughout my life, all the Janpoladians and Ter-Pogossians.'

'I love the Yerevan of Karmir Blur and Erebuni, the Yerevan of Alexander Tamanian and Martiros Saryan, and I have a great fondness for the Yerevan that no longer exists— the streets near Old Baths where our home was, and where today there is a memorial plaque in honor of Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky, who was called the 'son-in-law of the Armenian people.' Thank you to everyone on my behalf and in memory of my late mother, Hripsime Janpoladyan.'"