State Hermitage and UNESCO to protect cultural values together

Agreement of understanding was signed by the State Hermitage and UNESCO, RIA Novosti informs. The gala ceremony took place in the French capital. The document was signed by the Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovsky and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

The parties agreed to implement joint projects in the field of cultural values’ protection situated in the emergency regions especially in the Middle East.

The Hermitage and UNESCO plan to evaluate harm caused to the cultural values, to work out plans for securing the damaged cultural values and to restore these objects.

This memorandum is another great contribution of our country into protection of culture in the conflict zones.

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Gennady Gatilov, permanent representative of our country to UNESCO Alexander Kuznetsov and other officials were present at the ceremony.

It is worth reminding that Hermitage puts many efforts into restoring of Palmyra – an ancient city in Syria, damaged by the terrorists of the Islamic State banned in Russia.

As per the Russkiy Mir Foundation, last summer, Russian experts attended Palmyra and assessed the condition of its monuments. They prepared the report on restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage objects and the volume of necessary financing. Specialists of the State Hermitage are ready to render help on restoration of the historical buildings. Mikhail Piotrovsky has offered to establish a special committee on coordination of the restoration works.

Russkiy Mir