Russian Revelry Various Events Celebrate Russia, Founding of St. Petersburg by Anna Gawel The Russians are coming! Russian exhibits, that is. And the exhibitsóas well as various discussions, trips, festivals and other eventsóare coming in droves this month as the Washington area tips its hat to Mother Russia and her enduring creative spirit. The homage comes on the heels of a major historical event: the 300th anniversary of the founding of the legendary and mythic city of St. Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg was intended to be Russiaís "Window to the West," providing a gateway for European art, science and philosophy. The city has since been built into one of the grandest neoclassical cities in the worldócomplete with its share of epic dramas and historic upheavals along the way. The Hillwood Museum and Gardens kicks off the festivities with "The Myths of St. Petersburg: Impressions of the City From the Hillwood Collection," which begins Feb. 4 and runs through the end of the year. Already a haven for Russian imperial artówith the largest such collection outside of Russiaóthe museum has taken more than 50 objects from its perma nent collection to examine the symbolism behind St. Petersburg and its place in Russian history. "Myths" also focuses on Russian perceptions of St. Petersburg and the famed cityís paradoxical nature, debating whether it was actually a sanctuary for science, reason and culture, or a forced creation that steered the nation away from its true identity. Featured objects include a chalice by Iver Windfeldt Buch and an 18th-century gold box fashioned with a profile of Catherine the Great as Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. The piece, commissioned by Catherine II, highlights the enlightened monarchís legacy as a champion of the arts and sciences and her mission to modernize Russia in the grand tradition of her "great" predecessor, Peter. In addition, the Hillwood is planning two trips to St. Petersburg in late June and early September. For those who prefer to study the city a bit closer to home, the museum is also offering various discussions and programs, including a spring symposium and a "White Nights Festival" in June. If you are, however, willing to venture slightly outside of Washington for some more Russian diversions, then youíre in for a treat. Starting Feb. 12, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) opens its exhibit "Art of the Ballets Russes," which explores the dynamic and daring dance company of the early 1900s that, under the helm of Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev, fused radical choreography and music with brilliant sets and costumes. The BMA exhibit features rarely seen stage designs, artistsí notes and costume sketches from the Ballets Russes, as well as more than 30 lavish costumes designed by such artists as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and LÈon Bakst. And on a grander scale, Baltimore is paying tribute to St. Petersburgís 300th anniversary with "Vivat! St. Petersburg," a citywide celebration of Russian art, music and culture. The BMA is actually rolling out the Russian red carpet this month with two other related exhibitsó"The Brilliance of Bakst: Theater and Textile Designs From Baltimore Collections" and "Gregor Piatigorsky: Virtuoso as Collector"óthough "Ballets Russes" should be the main attraction for museum visitors. While at the museum, be sure to also check out the refurbished Jacobs Wing. Newly reopened after a three-year, $1.9 million makeover, the stately Beaux-Arts-style wing showcases five centuries of European art and provides an ideal backdrop to the BMAís Russian festivities. Back in Washington, the National Museum of Women in the Arts reflects on Russian history with a look at the women who contributed to St. Petersburgís artistic tradition, both as painters and as patrons. "An Imperial Collection: Women Artists From the State Hermitage Museum" starts Feb. 14 and contains nearly 50 oil paintings, watercolors and sculptures, many of which have never been viewed outside of Russia. And with works by Elisabeth-Louise VigÈe-Lebrun, French sculptor Marie-Anne Collot and a string of other notable artists, "An Imperial Collection"ówhich travels to the Frye Art Museum in Seattle after its D.C. runóshould prove to be a stellar exhibit sure to please both genders. For a more interactive approach, Russian enthusiasts can turn to the wide array of discussions and seminars taking place around the city in February, many of which are being sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates. In "Portrait of the Hermitage: 300 Years of Collecting," Mikhail Piotrovsky, world-renowned director of the Hermitage Museum, makes a special Washington appearance to discuss his hugely influential museum and some of the major painting collections it houses. Providing an American angle to the Russian discussions are three former U.S. ambassadors to Moscow. In "American Ambassadors to Moscow: Reflections on two Decades of Change," Arthur Hartman, Thomas Pickering and James Collins share their observations on Russian current events and the roles they played in Moscowís complex and continuing transformation. In addition, cultural expert Karen Kettering takes audiences on a tour of the Kremlin in "The Moscow Kremlin," and scholar Pamela Kachurin paints a picture of one of Russiaís most beloved artists in her lecture on "Chagall in Russia." The Corcoran Gallery of Art is also hosting an intriguing talk with "The Kitchen Boy," author Robert Alexanderís suspenseful account of a boy who became the lone witness to the Romanov murders. And for the music aficionados looking for some classical Russian rhythms, the Kennedy Center satisfies that craving with a double helping of performances: young Russian piano phenom Alexander Ghindin on Feb. 8 and Mstislav Rostropovich conducting the National Symphony Orchestra in all-Sergei Prokofiev program on Feb. 27. All in all, whatever your inclination, the Washington area is the place to be this month to experience some rousing Russian revelryóso prosit! For more information on these events, please refer to the Events page on B-26. Anna Gawel is the assistant managing editor of The Washington Diplomat.