anniversary of the inscription of first russian sites on ... · sources – the kremlin, st....
TRANSCRIPT
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Anniversary of the Inscription of First Russian Siteson the World Heritage List
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Russian World Heritage Sites – 16 cultural, 10 natural properties
1990 – 2014
1988 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2010 2012 2014
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
2014BolgarHistoric and Archeological Complex
2000Historic and ArchitecturalComplex of the Kazan Kremlin
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
Leningradskayaoblast
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
KizhiPogost,Karelia
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
State Protection: zoning, restrictions, control and
supervision
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Preservation
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Management Plan, Heritage
Impact Assessment, Buffer Zone
Legislation
The Federal Assemblyof the Russian
Federation
The President of the Russian Federation
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
CoordinationRussian
versions on http://mkrf.
ru/
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
14-16 December 2015
Year of Literature in Russia
UNESCO 70
Welcome to Saint-Petersburg International Cultural Forum
14-16 December 2015!
Anniversary exhibition: learn more about the First Russian Sites on the World Heritage List
Saint Petersburg Administration
39th Session of the World Heritage Committee, Bonn, 3 July 2015
Photo by A.Pashkevich
3 July 2015
Address by H.E. Ms Eleonora Mitrofanova, on the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of first Russian cultural monuments’ inscriptions in UNESCO
World Heritage List
Photo©Russian Delegation to UNESCO: Konstantin VOLKOV
Dear members of the World Heritage Committee, Dear representatives of States Parties and advisory bodies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am pleased to welcome you on behalf of the official delegation of the Russian Federation at the presentation organized by Russian Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of first national cultural monuments’ inscriptions on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Today we celebrate with you major events of the year of 1990 that is already far away from us. Let us recall that this was the year of a radical restructuring of the internal system of administration and management and the subsequent disintegration of the USSR. That year was a harbinger of a severe socio-economic and political crisis, and the people of our country had to pass through its ordeal.
In these most difficult circumstances Soviet specialists in cooperation with UNESCO carried out a profound research and preparatory work that resulted into the inscription of the first three Russian cultural monuments on UNESCO World Heritage List. It is no coincidence that the most symbolic and globally recognizable Russian sites were selected – the Moscow Kremlin, the Historical Centre of St. Petersburg and the architectural ensemble of Kizhi.
For our multinational country and for other peoples, these monuments are inextricably linked to its historical grandeur, unique cultural code and spiritual heritage. These three major cultural and spiritual sources – the Kremlin, St. Petersburg and Kizhi – possess profound unifying and humanistic capacities, both within the country and beyond it, in the Eurasian and global spaces. All of them are indisputable examples of monuments with an outstanding universal value for mankind.
I am pleased to note that the 25th anniversary of the inscription of our sites by the World Heritage Committee coincides with other anniversaries of major world historic events. Key among them are the 70th anniversary of UNESCO and the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory over Nazism. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the process of the final reunification of Germany, the friendly and welcoming host country of Committee's current session. In this crossroad of historic dates and events we can clearly see certain symbolism that is very important today, as well as the evidence of UNESCO unique mission and global role.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the inscription of the Kazan Kremlin on the World Heritage List. This being so, allow me to welcome the members of our delegation from Tatarstan. Moreover, their jubilees are celebrated today by several other Russian sites – the Virgin Komi Forests (20 years), the Ferapontov Monastery and the Curonian Spit (15 years), Yaroslavl and the Struve Arc (10 years) and, finally, the Putorana Plateau (5 years).
Speaking of anniversaries, I cannot but mention the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, which was brilliantly organized in St. Petersburg in the framework of the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2012. Russian and international partners who organized this celebration received the highest ratings for actually carrying out the best of the international fora in the history of the Convention. Of course, this would not be possible without the participation of Moscow and other colleagues.
The recognition of the above-mentioned Russian sites by UNESCO paved the way for Russia’s active participation in the protection of the World Heritage and highlighted the global value of its monuments. It also ensured, in collaboration with international experts, a rigorous conservation of our sites that, together with the whole of the country, were passing through a crucial period in its development. In this context, I would like once again to express my deepest appreciation to UNESCO experts and Russian representatives embodied by those present here today for their invaluable contribution to the protection of these and many other Russian monuments.
Presentation by Mr Vladimir TSVETNOV,
Director of the Department of Control,
Supervision and Licensing in the Field of
Cultural Heritage
Russian Ministry of Culture
(Bonn, 3 July 2015)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Being a representative of the Russian Ministry of Culture, I am happy to
welcome you at the presentation devoted to the 25th anniversary of the first Russian
sites on the World Heritage List.
Beginning, I would like to briefly cover the history of the issue.
In 1988, Russia completed the procedures necessary to join the World Heritage
Convention, and two years later, it was able to submit three nominations to the World
Heritage Committee: The historic center of St. Petersburg, the Kizhi Pogost, and the
Moscow Kremlin.
When received the unconditional support of the Committee, these sites were
included in the World Heritage List in 1990 and put forward the highest standard for
the rest of the Russian nominations – 13 cultural and 10 natural ones, listed in the
following years, for example, the Kazan Kremlin and Ancient Bolgar included in the
List in 2000 and 2014.
The historic centre of Saint Petersburg and related groups of the monuments is
a nomination, unprecedented in complexity and the number of components. The site
area is twice larger than Luxembourg is, it consists of 37 components and over 130
elements, includes the palaces and parks, memorial objects connected with the
blockade of Leningrad, natural landscapes, forts, historical roads and a lot of
monuments from different ages.
The Kizhi Pogost and the Moscow Kremlin are the ensembles, which are
smaller, but not less important in terms of history and culture.
St. Petersburg is the imperial capital; it is Moscow with its heart, the Moscow
Kremlin - the capital of Russian tsars and soviet leaders, the Kizhi Pogost is a kind of
the peasant capital, the center of the local government for the peasant communities of
the Onega region.
My colleagues will tell more details about these unique objects, reflecting the
different stages of our country’s life, in their speeches, and I would like to say a few
words about the problems related to the World Heritage sites the Russian Ministry of
Culture have got.
Firstly, it is a state protection. The majority of the Russian world cultural
heritage has the highest protection status under the Russian legislation. Any work on
their territory shall be carried out only with the permission and under the supervision
of the Russian Ministry of Culture.
Secondly, it is the conservation. The Russian Ministry of Culture regularly
allocates the significant funds to restore the World Heritage sites. In 2014-2015, over
10 million Euros were allocated to restore a number of the World Heritage sites.
The restoration work is carried out in accordance with the internationally
accepted principles, including enshrined in the Charter of Venice.
Thirdly, it is a legislative provision. The presence of the legislation provisions,
enshrining the Convention and the Operational Guidelines, is very important for the
efficient operation. In 2014-2015, the Russian Ministry of Culture prepared a new
version of the Russian law on the facilities of cultural heritage, where such things as
"Management Plan", "Heritage Impact Assessment", Buffer Zone are enshrined.
Fourthly, it is coordination. The Russian Ministry of Culture is the National
Focal Point for the World Cultural Heritage and provides the information and
interaction of all stakeholders in solving the issues related to the implementation of
the UNESCO recommendations and requirements.
The Russian Ministry of Culture also coordinates the preparation of new
nominations and translates UNESCO documents into Russian. The Russian
guidelines and the other materials are available on the web site of the Ministry of
Culture.
25 years later, since the moment of including the first Russian sites in the
World Heritage List, we can say that Russia continues to pay great attention to the
work of the World Heritage Convention and seeks to raise awareness and provide the
availability of their monuments for a wide range of the people interested in our
history and culture.
So, at the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum on 14-16 December 2015
the exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the first Russian facilities in the
World Heritage List will be held. The guests of the exhibition will be able to see the
unique layouts, multimedia installations, photographs of St. Petersburg, the Moscow
Kremlin, and the Kizhi Pogost.
I would like to take this opportunity of inviting all the present people to visit
this exhibition.
Thank you!
1
Presentation by Ms Tatiana Krasheninnikova
Head of Department for Monuments
protection at
the Moscow Kremlin Museum
(Bonn, 3 July 2015)
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow: 25 years with UNESCO
The ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square is a masterpiece
of human creative genius and the main symbol of the country. It took more than
500 years to form, reflecting the history of Russian architecture as well as its
relationship with the European cultural traditions. Architectural monuments of the
Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square are the finest examples of national
architectural school. The Moscow Kremlin was the residence of the Great Princes,
then, later the Tzar’s residence. Currently it is the seat of the President of the
Russian Federation.
The Moscow Kremlin is situated high on the left bank of the Moscow River
on the Borovitsky hill. Kremlin walls have the shape of an irregular triangle and
surround an area of 27 hectares. The southern wall is facing the Moscow River,
north-western - the Alexander Garden, the eastern - the Red Square respectively.
According to the XV century chronicle, the first wooden fortress was erected
here as early as in 1156.
In the second half of the 14th
century a young Moscow Prince Dmitry, later
to be nicknamed Donskoi, decided to build a new stone fortress. It took only one
year to erect walls and towers of white stone. The territory of the fortress has been
expanded northeastward, almost up to the present day size. Since then Moscow has
been referred to as "the white-stone city".
The present-day red-brick walls and towers of the Kremlin were built in the
late XV century. Prince Ivan III, who was nicknamed the Great, invited architects
from northern Italy to perform renovation works. The construction project got
started in 1485. The first tower Tainitskaia was erected under the supervision of
the Italian architect Anton Fryasin. By 1495 new walls and towers had been
completed. More than 100 Italian craftsman and architects had been working in the
Moscow Kremlin. In the 17th century the beautiful stone marquees on top of the
2
Kremlin’s towers were built, they changed considerably the outlook of the
medieval citadel.
Aristotel Fioravanti from Bologna build in 1479 the Assumption cathedral,
the greatest cathedral of the Kremlin.
In 1487, the Grand Prince Palace construction was started by Marco Fryazin
and Pietro Antonio Solari. The Faceted Chamber is the only part of the palace that
survived to our days.
In 1505-1508 the greatest Moscow Bell Tower of about 80 meters high was
erected under the supervision of Bon Fryasin. This Bell Tower was named "Ivan
the Great Bell Tower".
The Archangel's cathedral was erected in 1508. The Italian architect who
was known in Russia under the name of Alevis Noviy, was specially invited to
Moscow from Venice to supervise the construction project. From the outside the
Archangel's cathedral looks very much like a Venetian palazzo. Also well
recognizable elements of Renaissance architecture were used in its decoration.
Close to the Spasskaya tower, on the Red Square’s southern side, you can
see the magnificent Pokrovskiy cathedral on the Moat. It was erected on Czar Ivan
the Terrible’s order in the mid XVI century to commemorate the taking over Kazan
and the conquest of the Astrakhan Khanate.
The Arsenal, the Senate, the Grand Kremlin Palace were built in the Kremlin
in the 18-19th centuries.
According to the decree of the Soviet government some Kremlin buildings
including the Ascension Nunnery and the Chudov Monastery were destroyed in
1929. The Kremlin Military School was built instead of the two monasteries.
The Architectural Complex of the Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square
were included to the List of the World Heritage of UNESCO in 1990.
One of the most important aspects of the Kremlin museum’s activity is the
preservation of the unique architectural monuments of the Moscow Kremlin.
Pre-project studies, including archival, architectural and field studies precede
all the restoration works.
3
Among the recent restoration projects undertaken by the Kremlin Museums
we should mention the restoration of the Annunciation Cathedral which had been
the Moscow Great Princes' and Czars' personal confessor for centuries.
The most interesting discoveries were made in the underground part of the
cathedral (in Russian it's called podklet). Here the lower parts of the walls and
foundations of the cathedral of 1416 were found.
More than hundred white stone blocks with a carved ornamentation or
fragments of the mural painting on the surface were found under a northern back
steps. White stone with carvings previously decorated facades and interiors of the
temple. Fragments of monumental painting of the interior of the cathedral dates to
the beginning of XV century and is attributed by experts as painting of the
Rublev's circle.
The Patriarch's Palace with the Cathedral Church of the Twelve Apostles is
the most interesting example of civil architecture of the mid XVII century in the
Kremlin. Built by order of Patriarch Nikon, the palace was rebuilt many times.
Restoration of One-Pillar Chamber in the ground floor of the palace began in
2003. In the course of complex researches were revealed two wall-stairs leading to
the second floor of the palace. The lost metallic bonds of the interior of the
chamber were restored, they strengthened the walls and vaults. After completion of
the restoration the Chamber was opened as an exhibition hall of the museum.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower was opened to the public in 2005. The interior of
the Bell-Tower remained unique white stone spiral staircases, initial cornices and
white stone rosettes.
Now the Bell-Tower hosts an exposition dedicated to the centuries-old
history of development of the Moscow Kremlin architectural complex. Here our
guests can see the original architectural fragments of ancient buildings that were
destroyed, the ancient Kremlin plans and images.
The Archangel's Cathedral, is Russia’s first state necropolis is one of the
most original monuments of the Cathedral Square.
4
The most interesting architectural details of the Archangel's Cathedral are
certainly the white stone Renaissance portals. Unfortunately they were heavily
destroyed due to the high salination and bad ecology in general.
The restoration works of the unique portals of the Cathedral have been
carried on since 2005. The white stone details were desalted and the lost carvings
was reconstructed. Genuine parts of the central portal were replaced by copies.
Later restored columns and pilasters of the portals were transferred to the fund of
the architectural details of the museum.
The restoration works in the South Annex of the Archangel's Cathedral
began in 2008. Interfloor overlappings, metal stairs and walls, built in the soviet
period were dismantled. Now we can see again the vaulted roof structure, copper
roofs and facades with reconstruction in its previous form of window openings. At
the north and east walls of the South Annex brickwork of the XV century is
demonstrated with fragments of rebuild of XVII-XVIII centuries. As a result of
long-term restoration and research work of the Moscow Kremlin, the Museum has
created an exhibition dedicated to the history of the famous Ascension Convent.
The Assumption Cathedral, erected by Aristotle Fioravanti, is a unique
monument of the ancient Russian architecture. During the last years the facades
and the roof of the Cathedral were restored. At the same time the restoration was
conducted on the north and south portals, with the replacement of the destroyed
white stone blocks in the socle. During the restoration of the portals, new door
frames were built and installed according to the remaining samples. Old metal
doors were also restored.
The facades of the Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Holy Virgin,
were also restored in 2014.
The Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square is a unique artistic ensemble, a
masterpiece of creative genius of many generations of outstanding artists. Now it is
a world-famous museum, which is visited annually by more than two million
guests.
Presentation by Mr Serguei Makarov,
Head of the Heritage Protection Committee,
the Administration of St. Petersburg
(Bonn, 3 July 2015)
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I am very happy to have this opportunity to speak to you here today. All of us
gathered here are united by our partial attitude to heritage, to landmarks that are the
bearers of historical memory, a kind of cultural genetic code uniting all of the
humankind.
Let me welcome you on behalf of the Government of St. Petersburg, the city that
became the first Russian site inscribed on the World Heritage List.
St. Petersburg, recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world,
constitutes a unique phenomenon in the history of culture.
Founded by the will of Emperor Peter the Great in the swampy delta of the Neva
River because of its strategic location, the new city seemed unsuitable for
habitation; yet it was declared the capital of the Russian Empire just a decade after
its foundation.
The majority of large cities in the world took shape over time, gradually growing
in size around the original historical nucleus, and this process took centuries.
St. Petersburg had no such core. Development of the area began at once and
proceeded simultaneously in various points of the huge amphitheater formed by
the coastal terraces of the ancient sea.
Palaces appeared, as did state establishments, living quarters, barracks, country
residences, shipyards, factories, and fortifications. But Peter I did not stop there.
He built many roads and waterways, tying all these elements together and forming
a planning framework for the future agglomeration.
The compositional foundation of the city plan, created during the lifetime of Peter
I, did not change significantly during the subsequent development of the city and
was brought to relative completion through the efforts of several generations of
architects.
The urban fabric of St. Petersburg is saturated with architectural ensembles. These
ensembles, flowing from one into another and grouped into larger ensemble
formations, create a complex multilevel system. As they move around the city,
from one organized space to another, city guests start perceiving the whole city as
a single ensemble, proportional for the human experience and possessing a great
power of artistic influence.
The city’s regular planned structure began forming as early as during the reign of
Peter I, and so did the famous St. Petersburg triaxiality. Nevsky Prospekt became
2
the key city thoroughfare, intersecting the city from east to west. During the reign
of Empresses Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, and Catherine the Great, the
cityscape of St. Petersburg became a monumental seat of luxury, attaining
international recognition as the “Venice of the North.”
The splendid design of city buildings by architects Rastrelli, Rinaldi, Quarenghi,
Cameron, and Vallin de la Mothe rivaled luxurious palaces, monasteries, and
imperial and princely suburban residences in Peterhof, Oranienbaum, Tsarskoye
Selo, Pavlovsk, and Gatchina, which were being built at the same time as the new
city.
During the reign of Empress Elizabeth the old country residences of Peter the
Great were rebuilt and improved. Rastrelli’s genius helped turn humble palaces
reminiscent of small homes of Dutch and German bourgeoisie into splendid
palaces that are impressive with their Baroque style and radiant gilding. Peterhof,
Strelna, and Oranienbaum are considered among the best of palace and park
ensembles in Russia.
The palace and park ensembles of Peterhof, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, and Gatchina, like
many buildings and structures in the city itself, were reduced to rubble during the
Second World War.
The works on the preservation of the monuments were a major feat during the
siege of Leningrad. In these terrible years, the famous Leningrad School of
Restoration was born, which has recently celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Restoration projects, which began as early as in 1944, restored Leningrad, its
suburban palaces and parks to their pre-war splendor in a short time.
St. Petersburg has traditionally served as a connecting link between Russia and the
European cultural space. In the 18th century, St. Petersburg became the home for
the Academy of Sciences, a University, the Academy of Arts, the School of
Theatre (Dance), and the first museums in Russia – Kunstkammer and the
Hermitage.
These developments turned the new capital into major centers of Russia’s culture
and science. It was here that literature and music blossomed and where Pushkin,
Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Akhmatova and Shostakovich created their art.
The twentieth century was a time of turmoil for St. Petersburg. It was here that all
Russian revolutions had started.
The defense of Leningrad during WWII became a part of world history as an
example of unrivaled heroism and indomitable fortitude. Famine and cold, shelling
and bombardments had claimed around a million lives during the years of the
siege.
In 1913 the development of the historic centre of St. Petersburg was practically
halted. World War I and the ensuing revolutions and the civil war put an end to all
construction in the city. In 1918 the country's capital was moved to Moscow.
3
In the post-revolutionary period, new construction developed mostly in the
outskirts of the city, but the historic centre did not undergo any substantial
changes.
In St. Petersburg today a set of measures is being successfully implemented that is
aimed at conserving cultural heritage properties in their historical environment
which together constitute the basis of the World Heritage Site.
A system of protection zones for cultural heritage properties has been in formation
since 1988. This work has been continuing uninterruptedly ever since.
By 2009 the comprehensive system of protection zones in St. Petersburg took its
final shape taking into account the boundaries of the World Heritage Site. A
corresponding law was passed which formalized the requirements for conserving
not only individual monuments but the surrounding historical environment as well.
In 2013-2014, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, the
composition and the boundaries of the World Heritage Site were clarified. These
materials were approved by decisions of the 38th and 39
th sessions of the World
Heritage Committee.
In 2014 a number of provisions for perfecting protection zones were amended,
above all, for the purposes of preserving individual historic buildings that are not
cultural heritage properties.
Requirements for placing advertising constructions were made more stringent.
The height limit for constructions near the city’s centre was lowered to 33 meters.
Since 2014, in order to ensure comprehensive protection measures for the city
skyline as well as its planning structure, work has been underway on delimitation
of boundaries of the historical settlement and the objects under protection (i.e. the
elements making up the historic urban environment).
In 2014 work on improving the requirements for protection zone regimes was
started. The goal is to prepare block-by-block requirements for the city centre with
full details within the boundaries of the main component of the World Heritage
Site – the Historic Centre of St. Petersburg. The need for these works was reflected
in the decision of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee.
The management system for the World Heritage Site is being continuously
improved. On October 20, 2014 and Agreement on Cooperation was signed
between the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Government of St.
Petersburg and the Government of the Leningrad Region. It covered the issues
related to conservation, management and promotion of the Historic Centre of St.
Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments.
Over the past several years, the World Heritage Committee has recommended the
development of a comprehensive management framework for the entire inscribed
property.
4
An important step in this direction was the creation of the Coordination Council
with the participation of the Ministry of Culture and heritage conservation
authorities of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region. Among the tasks of the
Coordination Council is ensuring interaction between executive authorities of St.
Petersburg and Leningrad Region in the process of preparing and managing the site
management plan.
Today, taking into account the experience gained over the previous decades in
preserving the cultural heritage as well as those mistakes which were fortunately
avoided, City of St. Petersburg is working systematically to improve its
conservation system, and involve social organizations, the Legislative Assembly of
St. Petersburg, and experts in the field of urban planning and cultural history into
this work.
I am very grateful to the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and the World Heritage
Committee for many years of cooperation aimed at preserving and supporting the
outstanding universal value of the site “Historic Centre of St. Petersburg and
Related Groups of Monuments.”
Thank you for your attention!
Presentation by Ms Olga Titova,
Deputy Director of
the Kizhi Open-Air Museum
(Bonn, 3 July 2015)
Dear colleagues,
It is my honor to welcome you on behalf of the Kizhi Museum.
The Kizhi Museum is the biggest open-air museum in Russia that preserves
national culture, architecture and landscape.
There are more than 80 buildings on the museum territory, including old
chapels, farmers’ houses and household buildings.
The museum manages World Heritage Site – Kizhi Pogost of the 18th-19
th
century.
25 years ago, the Kizhi pogost was inscribed on the World Heritage List of
UNESCO by 3 criteria: (i), (iv) and (v).
First criterion determines the Kizhi pogost architectural ensemble as the
eighth wonder of the world.
Perfectly proportionate buildings are constructed in ideal harmony with the
landscape.
The Kizhi pogost was built and still stands on Kizhi Island, which is a part of
the island archipelago in Lake Onega.
The architectural ensemble of the Kizhi pogost is a traditional church
complex of the Russian North. It includes the summer church of the
Transfiguration, the winter church of the Intercession and the bell-tower.
The complex is surrounded by the fence.
Inside, on the pogost territory there is an old cemetery.
Professionalism of carpenters who built the Pogost is expressed in their
amazing ability to create complex architectural forms in perfect harmony with
nature. And despite their big size the churches look light and airy.
In 2014 the Transfiguration church celebrated its 300th anniversary.
The Church of the Transfiguration is a unique monument. There is nothing
like it in the Russian or world wooden architecture.
Locals think it is a real wonder. They made up a legend that it had been built
without any single nail by carpenter Nestor who worked alone and only used his
axe.
The Kizhi architectural ensemble is the last one left in Russia that includes
two wooden multi-domed churches.
The church of the Transfiguration is covered by 22 wooden domes. The
church of the Intercession is decorated with a crown of 8 domes around 1 big
dome.
The domes of the churches and the bell tower are covered with aspen
shingles.
All domes are positioned in a special way to complement each other and to
create beautiful views from all sides.
The fourth criterion determines the Kizhi architectural ensemble as a typical
one for the Northwest of Russia.
The Kizhi pogost was not only a religious but also a social and administrative
center of peasant life.
Religious services were held in the churches of the Kizhi pogost: in the
Transfiguration church in summer time and in the Intercession church in winter.
Bell ringing, which can be heard from many kilometers away gathered local
people for the service.
Services in the Intercession church are held again after the long break during
the Soviet time.
Kizhi Island has always been both the spiritual center and the symbol of unity
of a big village community.
The Kizhi Pogost was the main gathering place for peasants from surrounding
areas. This was the place where people came to celebrate church holidays,
weddings and christenings. Here they collectively made important decisions on
day-to-day issues of nearby villages.
The main activities of the local people were agriculture, animal breeding and
fishing.
The main mean of transportation in summer was the boat. Local people
learned how to saw special boats, which were both steady and easy to maneuver.
They allowed locals navigating in rough Lake Onegа waters.
The Kizhi Museum pays a lot of attention to preserving the ancient traditions.
Museum specialists restore the technologies of shipbuilding, land cultivating and
creating of traditional costumes and decorations.
The Kizhi pogost united the whole district as an administrative center.
Numerous villages were situated on picturesque shores of the surrounding
islands. Ancient wooden houses and chapels are still preserved in local old
villages.
Structure of the villages and the landscape reflecting the traditional
agriculture system have been preserved to the modern day.
Considering the importance of the surrounding area for preservation of the
WHS, a buffer zone was set up.
The buffer zone covers the most picturesque parts of the Kizhi archipelago,
including Kizhi Island.
The fifth criterion determines the Kizhi architectural ensemble as an example
of traditional wooden architecture of the Russian North and skills of local
carpenters.
Apart from the architectural ensemble, the museum exhibition includes farmer
houses and other buildings.
Beautiful examples of village architecture demonstrate skills of carpenters
and patterns of everyday life of villagers of the 19th
century.
Both churches and houses are decorated with carved wooden elements. They
combine symbols of pagan and orthodox cultures, which co-existed and
complemented each other in the minds of peasants.
Today carpenters and restorers put a lot of effort into preservation of
traditional crafts, tools and techniques. Using traditional methods, they make
wooden elements for restoration of churches and houses by hand.
The Church of the Transfiguration is being restored with the use of traditional
methods of harvesting, processing and preparation of wood.
Management of the World Heritage Site:
In order to ensure efficient management of the World Heritage Site according
to the UNESCO recommendations the museum worked out a Management Plan.
The major principle in the Management Plan development was involvement
of all stakeholders including local residents.
Conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the WHS:
In 2003, the Kizhi museum started restoration of the church of the
Transfiguration.
The goal of the restoration is reconstruction of the architectural look of the
monument and conservation of historic material to the utmost together with
ensuring its stability and steadiness.
A special lifting technology is used for restoration. It was designed
considering the complicated construction of the church. Each element that has been
restored is thoroughly registered.
It was recommended by the experts to disseminate the unique experience of
restoration of the Transfiguration church.
It could be a valuable helping hand in the conservation of wooden architecture
monuments in Russia and abroad.
To this end, the Museum established training center for conservation of
wooden architecture monuments.
This year in cooperation with Petrozavodsk State University the museum
applied for establishing a UNESCO chair for study and conservation of wooden
architecture.
Every year experts from ICOMOS and UNESCO visit Kizhi Island to monitor
the progress of the restoration.
At present the Kizhi museum needs consultations regarding the project of
reinforcement of the church structure. For this purpose, the museum invited the
UNESCO experts in September this year to organize the following steps in
accordance with their advice.
Sustainable development of the territory
The Kizhi pogost has always been the center of religious and social life of this
area and the purpose of the museum is to keep and restore this role.
Therefore, in 2013 the Kizhi Museum elaborated the Development Concept. It
suggests sustainable development of the area considering its historic and cultural
potential. It is done in accordance with the UNESCO requirements.
Social and economic well-being of an area is a key condition for preservation
of a world heritage site and historical authenticity.
Considering rich cultural heritage and beautiful nature, one of the few ways
for the development of the area is promotion of different forms of cultural and
environmental tourism.
For development of touristic services, the museum collaborates closely with
local inhabitants, for example with the owners of local guesthouses, situated
around Kizhi Island.
Kizhi is one of the most beautiful places of the Russian North. The unique
nature of the island is one of its main treasures carefully preserved by the
specialists of the Kizhi Museum.
Kizhi is a very popular museum not only for Russian visitors, but for foreign
tourists as well.
In winter and in summer the museum offers sightseeing tours, theme
excursions and educational programs for visitors of all ages from all over the
world.
Traditionally all the issues related to construction or repairs of the churches
were discussed at local residents meetings.
At present, this tradition has been preserved. Same as before headmen of local
villages gather in the church to discuss community problems.
Also the Public Council has been established for discussion of the issues
related to management, development and conservation of the World Heritage Site
and the historic landscape.
Members of the Public Council are representatives of local communities,
public organizations, authorities, church and business.
The Kizhi Museum is a modern and dynamically developing museum that
seeks to comply with international law in the field of cultural heritage management
and conservation.
Every effort of the museum is aimed at conservation of the Outstanding
Universal Value and particular historic, cultural and natural environment of the
site.
We express our gratitude to UNESCO and ICOMOS for active assistance in
World Cultural Heritage conservation.
We invite you to visit the gem of the Russian North – the Kizhi Island!
Thank you for your attention!