Italian experience of preserving archeological monuments can be widely used in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk

Tatarstan delegation led by State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev is on a working trip in Italy on November 20-21.

Mintimer Shaimiev has met with Counsellor of the Italian President on cultural heritage Luis Godart, Director-general of the Department for development of the Italian Ministry of foreign affairs Mauricio Melanie, President of Salerno province Edmondo Chirielli, Director-general of the International Centre for the Study and the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Munir Bushenaki.

The main topic of negotiations was expansion of cooperation between Tatarstan Republic and Italian Republic in particular within the framework of National Year of Russia in Italy and Italy in Russia, and study of Italian experience in the sphere of preservation and restoration of heritage.

Italian officials and scientists highlighted that Tatarstan is known in the world as the example of tolerance, inter-ethnic and inter-confessional harmony. In their opinion this statement is proved by the activity of the Fund “Vozrozhdenie” on restoration of Orthodox monuments in Sviyazhsk and Muslim monuments in Bolgar – the place of voluntary adoption of Islam by Volga Bolgars in 922.

On November 20 Tatarstan delegation arrived in Southern Italy, province of Salerno, Paestum town. The delegation was received and accompanied by Director-general of the International Centre for the Study and the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Munir Bushenaki who took part in International Museum Forum and session of inter-departmental expert board of “Vozrozhdenie” Fund in Kazan in October 2011.

Visit to national archeological museum and the object of World cultural heritage of Paestum town – a famous ancient Greek town Poseidonia was especially useful and practically significant for Tatarstan delegation. This place is a unique example of restoration, conservation and museumification of archeological objects. Mintimer Shaimiev marked such experience can be used in works on preserving monuments in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.

At the meeting with President of Salerno province Edmondo Chirielli agreement was reached about establishing mutually beneficial cooperation and participation of Tatarstan in XIV Mediterranean Exchange of archeological tourism in 2012 in order to present hisotircal and cultural heritage of Republic, experience of historical reconstruction of archeological monuments, and creation of “live” museums and virtual archeology.

Mediterranean Exchange of archeological tourism is a large exhibition held in Paestum since 1998. Tatarstan delegation examined displays of the exhibition. The latest international studies in the sphere of virtual reality and computer graphics used in archeology especially drew the interest of the delegation.

In the evening on November 20 Tatarstan delegation arrived in Rome, the capital of Italy. Next day Mintimer Shaimiev met with Counsellor of the Italian President on cultural heritage Luis Godart and Director-general of the Department for development of the Italian Ministry of foreign affairs Mauricio Melanie. Potential areas of cooperation between Tatarstan and Italy in the sphere of preservation of historical heritage were debated at the meeting.

Later on members of the delegation went to HQ of ICCROM and talked to Italian specialists, world-known scientists who revealed their secrets, practices and warned about possible mistakes upon restoring archeological objects.

According to Mintimer Shaimiev meetings with international experts are very important for coordination and proper organization of activity at two Tatarstan objects - Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in the process of their promotion for inclusion in the list of UNESCO world heritage.

One more essential problem was discussed – return of Russian Federation to the list of countries – members of ICCROM, for after USSR breakup cooperation came to an end.

RT State Counsellor is accompanied by Aide to RT President on social issues, CEO of the Republican fund of historical and cultural monuments Tatiana Larionova, Chairman of the Russian national committee of world cultural and natural heritage at the RF Commission for UNESCO affairs Igor Makovetsky, plenipotentiary of RT on French Republic Iskander Yusupov, Chief of Volga division of the UNESCO Department for preservation of urban and architectural monuments Rafael Valeev.