At a conference in the Public Chamber, they discussed how Novgorod businesses help preserve historical monuments

One of the topics of the XIV International Scientific and Practical Conference "Law and Business" held in Veliky Novgorod was inter-industry management of cultural heritage sites. The discussion of aspects of preserving historical and cultural monuments took place at the site of the Public Chamber of the Novgorod Region. It was attended by experts in the field of law, representatives of the authorities, business, public figures and students.

Welcoming those gathered, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Public Chamber Andrey GOLOSHCHANOV noted that the preservation of historical and cultural heritage in the form of monuments involves not just the restoration of buildings, but the protection of national identity.

“The exchange of experience between regions and countries is extremely important in order to find effective solutions,” he stressed.

In turn, the experts, speaking with reports, identified the key problems of the industry:

legal aspects – confiscation of cultural heritage sites, termination of ownership rights, regulation of their use;

financial and administrative barriers complicating restoration;

involving businesses in the preservation of historical monuments.

Doctor of Law, Professor, Head of the Department of Civil Law and Procedure at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno Igor MARTYNENKO in his report noted the unity of approaches of Russia and Belarus in matters of preserving historical memory, paying special attention to the constitutional norms of both countries aimed at preserving the facts about the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

According to Kirill VOLCHUGIN, Deputy Minister of Construction, Architecture and Property Relations of the Novgorod Region, there are currently more than 5,000 cultural heritage sites in the region, including those included in the UNESCO list. Meanwhile, our region already has established successful experience in integrating objects under the jurisdiction of the ministry into the regional economy.

Alexey MAKASHOV, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Culture and Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Public Chamber, spoke about the mechanisms for preparing project documentation and restoration work being implemented in the region. He emphasized the need to reduce the bureaucratic burden to speed up the restoration of monuments.

As a striking example of a successful public-private partnership, the implemented project of restoration of the "House of Ponomarev and Kiseleva with shops" in Staraya Russa by entrepreneur Yulia Komarova was presented. Thanks to her, the building described by Fyodor Dostoevsky in the novel "The Brothers Karamazov" was renovated. The entrepreneur spoke about all stages of the project implementation - from the development of the concept and the search for financing to the creation of a multifunctional space on the basis of the monument, uniting a store, a gastronomic museum and a hotel. The participants of the meeting noted that such a practice allows not only to preserve cultural heritage, but also to make objects points of growth for the local economy.

Following the conference, the participants outlined ways for further cooperation, emphasizing the need for flexible regulation, support for private initiatives and the development of public-private partnerships in the field of historical heritage preservation.

Photo by the Public Chamber of the Novgorod Region