International Council on Cultural Heritage Held in Moscow
The 8th International Council on Cultural Heritage took place in Moscow from December 2 to 5. Participants included representatives of the Government of Moscow, international and Moscow‑based cultural heritage experts, members of the National Committee of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), and UNESCO. The event was organized by the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow and the Department of Cultural Heritage of Moscow.
On December 3, as part of the Council, a conference titled “The Roundhouse: Architecture of the Past and the City of the Future” was held at the Main House of the N.N. Demidov Estate. The conference focused on a new chapter in the history of the Roundhouse of the Nikolaev Railway – a 19th‑century engineering architecture monument. The conference aimed to demonstrate the importance of preserving historical forms when creating new public spaces and to explore how the architecture of the past can inspire the city of the future. Participants discussed ways to preserve the character of a place and how architecture can serve as a tool for public dialogue.
Igor Tkach, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, spoke at the plenary session, wishing all participants productive work and noting that the conference provides an opportunity to gain new knowledge and exchange experience. He emphasized that Moscow cares for its cultural heritage and gives historical buildings a new life. the Department for External Economic and International Relations is actively working to support initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage. Sergey Cheremin, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, was awarded a Certificate of Honour from ICOMOS for his contributions to international cooperation in cultural heritage preservation, active engagement with foreign partners, and promotion of Russia’s cultural values on the global stage.
Also speaking at the plenary session was Alexander Alimov, Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Ties of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted that the Russian Federation has 23 cultural sites on the World Heritage List, including Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow. In his view, this places great responsibility on site managers and regional administrations. In preserving cultural heritage, it is essential to create synergy between safeguarding historical landscapes and shaping a modern environment for locals and tourists. “In the era of globalization and urbanization, it is important to strike a balance between innovation and respect for tradition, between the solidity of contemporary spaces and the authenticity of historical forms,” he emphasized.
Stepan Orlov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, noted that experts face the challenge of making historical heritage a driver for new and modern projects, not only restoration‑related ones. “Historical heritage can become an excellent basis for projects in creative industries, cinematography, design, contemporary art, and photography. Of course, it is also a magnet for the vast numbers of tourists who come to Moscow from all over the world,” he said.
Leonid Kondrashev, First Deputy Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage of Moscow, Chief Archaeologist of Moscow, and President of ICOMOS Russia, drew attention to the international participation in the conference, which included Luka Gašević, Deputy Mayor of Niš (Republic of Serbia); Abderrahmane Rahmani, Secretary General of the Algiers Wilaya (People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria); Süheybe Meryem Arslan, Director of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Department of the Fatih Municipality (Republic of Turkey); and Thabo Manetsi, Director General of the National Heritage Council, Chair of ICOMOS South Africa, and research fellow at the University of Pretoria (Republic of South Africa). Kondrashev noted that around 200 people had registered for the conference.
Specialized sessions followed. The session “The City as an Open‑Air Museum: How Heritage Shapes Modern Identity” explored how to balance restoration and contemporary use. The session “Industrial Heritage and New Functions: From Depot to Art Cluster” presented successful cases of transforming former industrial sites into new urban hubs. Architecture students also presented their visions for the Roundhouse, demonstrating how it could be turned into a new public space with a modernized surrounding area. Following the project presentations, an awards ceremony was held. The winning project came from the State University of Land Management. Laureates received diplomas and commemorative awards. Conference participants also viewed two photo exhibitions – “Pushkin and Moscow” and “Preserving Moscow’s Cultural Heritage.”
On December 4, Council participants visited the 4th specialized exhibition “PROrestoration: Import Substitution in Restoration Materials and Technologies” at the Sytin Printing House. The exhibition featured over 100 innovative solutions and technologies for preserving architectural monuments, all produced in Russia.
On December 5, international experts held meetings with representatives of leading higher and secondary specialized educational institutions in architecture and restoration – the Moscow Institute of Architecture (State Academy) (MARCHI), the Ilya Glazunov Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, and the Yuri Luzhkov Moscow Metropolitan Governance University.
A cultural program was organized for Council participants. They visited the Ostankino Estate, a cultural heritage site, and toured the Kauchuk Factory Club, which reopened after restoration in 2024. During the works, the architectural design of the facades and interiors was restored to its original appearance from 1927‑1929. This constructivist monument has been adapted for modern use, now housing the theatre and concert hall of Sechenov University. Council participants also took a walk in Zaryadye Park, where they highly praised the space, landscaped by an international team of architects, engineers, and designers. The group also visited the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, where a concert was held for them.
The International Council on Cultural Heritage helped strengthen international ties among industry professionals. The events allowed participants to exchange experience, present promising ideas and technologies for restoration and revitalization, and highlighted Moscow’s outstanding achievements in cultural heritage preservation.