To be a Friend of the Hermitage is an honourable status. The traditional celebration of the International Day of Friends of the Hermitage took place in the State Hermitage on the 8th of December 2012 - the general holiday, to which Friends of the Museum from all over the world are annually invited.

The action took place in the Staraya Derevnya, where a new building of the Hermitage – the building "X" of the Depository of the State Hermitage, by the good tradition, was presented to the Friends first.

The general director of the Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky welcomed his guests. He presented honourable diplomas and personal cards of the Hermitage Friends' Club to sponsors. The general director of Radio Guide Company Sergey Davletshin received the honourable diploma for museum projects support.

Friends could independently examine new rooms of the Depository, and also delight in the concert program and ballroom dances in the Central Hall of the new building.

The support free of political strings, which is lent by Friends across the world to the Museum, promotes the preservation and development of the State Hermitage.

Their high-minded activity is united by the special international program "The Hermitage Friends' Club" its members are represented by many known Russian and international companies, charity funds and individuals. The Hermitage Friends' Club was founded in November 1996 and became the first society of Friends of the Museum in Russia. Since then being a Friend of the Hermitage has become a good tradition.