News

ATTENTION CALLED TO RUSSIA'S ENDANGERED HERITAGE AT MOSCOW SEMINAR

feb 02

Board member Irina Subotić (RS) and Council member Maria Berza (RO) represented Europa Nostra at the International Seminar “Russia – European Union: Signs on the Road Map of Cultural Cooperation” held in Moscow on 8 December 2009 at the Russian Historical Museum. The conference was the first of its kind, bringing together high officials and specialists from Russia and the European Commission, as well as representatives of civil society from both areas. All expressed their readiness to further deepen their cooperation and mutual relations.

The Europa Nostra representatives called for organising another such specialised conference devoted especially to discussing heritage issues. Considering the importance of the extremely rich Russian history and its heritage of important monuments and exquisite natural resorts almost unknown to Europeans, it was thought that the Moscow seminar could have included more presentations on heritage questions, whereas the majority of the papers dealt with contemporary cultural industries. Although the Russian authorities try to preserve their country’s historical memory, the topic of heritage protection, preservation and restoration must be tackled urgently because of the tremendous threats facing their built heritage by the rapid spread of private initiatives and real estate developments, without sufficient oversight or control. This proposal for such a meeting to discuss heritage issues was included in the final document of the Moscow seminar.

Board member Irina Subotić (RS) and Council member Maria Berza (RO) represented Europa Nostra at the International Seminar “Russia – European Union: Signs on the Road Map of Cultural Cooperation” held in Moscow on 8 December 2009 at the Russian Historical Museum. The conference was the first of its kind, bringing together high officials and specialists from Russia and the European Commission, as well as representatives of civil society from both areas. All expressed their readiness to further deepen their cooperation and mutual relations.

The Europa Nostra representatives called for organising another such specialised conference devoted especially to discussing heritage issues. Considering the importance of the extremely rich Russian history and its heritage of important monuments and exquisite natural resorts almost unknown to Europeans, it was thought that the Moscow seminar could have included more presentations on heritage questions, whereas the majority of the papers dealt with contemporary cultural industries. Although the Russian authorities try to preserve their country’s historical memory, the topic of heritage protection, preservation and restoration must be tackled urgently because of the tremendous threats facing their built heritage by the rapid spread of private initiatives and real estate developments, without sufficient oversight or control. This proposal for such a meeting to discuss heritage issues was included in the final document of the Moscow seminar.