Royal treasures from Moscow Kremlin Museums to go on display at Hong Kong Heritage Museum (with photos)
"Tsar of All Russia. Holiness and Splendour of Power", one of the major exhibitions to be presented by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) this year, will be open to the public from tomorrow (May 29).
Speaking at the opening ceremony today (May 28), the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, said, "We are delighted to showcase this amazing exhibition at the HKHM, with a fine selection of exquisite court treasures from the Moscow Kremlin Museums. The exhibition not only provides a rare opportunity for visitors in Hong Kong to appreciate the imperial grandeur of Russia, but also enables the public to interact with other cultures when international travel restrictions are in place."
The exhibition will showcase 170 sets of imperial artefacts from the collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, including staffs, holy relics, harnesses, weapons, articles from foreign diplomats, ornaments worn by queens and toys of princes. By illustrating the life of the Russian court, namely the monarch coronation ceremony, ceremonial departure, military power, diplomacy and court life from the 16th to 18th centuries, the exhibition demonstrates how the political, religious and cultural environment of that era created the glorious monarchy of the Tsar of All Russia.
Highlight exhibits include a "Jericho cap" ceremonial helmet which accompanied Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich on his campaigns; a diamond and emerald pectoral cross of Tsar Peter the Great, which was regarded as a symbol of imperial power; a sabre and a scabbard decorated with jewels; a resplendent jug in the shape of a female bust and the "St Alexius the Man of God" measured icon crafted by court painters.
Other officiating guests today included the Deputy Consul General of the Russian Federation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Rinchen Rakshaev; the Head of the Arms and Armour Sector and Curator of Arms, Armour and Artillery of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, Dr Sergei Orlenko; The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities and Community, Mr Cheung Leong; the Chairman of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Ms Anita Fung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Ms Fione Lo.
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Moscow Kremlin Museums and jointly organised by the HKHM and the Moscow Kremlin Museums. Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, it is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series. ​The exhibition will run from tomorrow until August 29 at the HKHM (1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin).
According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and date and time of entry before being allowed to enter museums for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. Appeals are made to visitors to download the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app before entering. Visitors who opt for registering their personal information at the scene are reminded to arrive earlier to avoid delaying their visits as a longer time is required for such registration.
In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult. For details of the exhibition and admission arrangements, please visit
www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid268.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
