Mintimer Shaimiev, Vice-governor of Central Macedonia and ICCROM experts visit the island town of Sviyazhsk

Tatarstan’s State Counselor and Chairman of the Board of guardians of the Republican Foundation “Vozrozhdenie” (“Renaissance”) Mintimer Shaimiev, first Vice-governor of the Central Macedonia (Greece) Mr Kostas Karapanagiotidis, chief of the UNESCO Greece department for preservation of architectural monuments Mr Avraam Kassiteridis, Director-General of ICCROM Mr Stefano De Caro and special adviser of Director General of the United Nations Organisation on issues of education, science and culture Mr Munir Bushenaki have visited historical monuments of the island town of Sviyazhsk.

Stefano De Caro and Munir Bushenaki arrived in Tatarstan as experts of ICCROM, the organisation providing support in the sphere of preservation of objects included in UNESCO World heritage list.

After studying methods of restoration works in Sviyazhsk and Bolgar they will pass their final statement to the World Heritage Committee. Members of the Committee will consider the issues of including these objects in UNESCO World heritage list.

Guests visited the Trinity church, Joy of All Who Sorrow Church, the Dormition Cathedral and brethren's building of the Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery.

Munir Bushenaki said that he was glad to see the scope of works fulfilled under the guidance of Mintimer Shaimiev.

“I am pleased to see the attentive and careful attitude of Mintimer Shaimiev to recommendations of the international society, governmental and nongovernmental organizations in the sphere of preservation of the cultural heritage. We want Sviyazhsk and Bolgar to be announced the objects of the world heritage,” Munir Bushenaki said.

Saying about the recent trip to Central Macedonia, Mintimer Shaimiev said that he was impressed by the people’s attitude to archeological works notwithstanding any hardships.