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11. Cultural Heritage Management in Russia
- University Press of Florida
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11 Cultural Heritage Management in Russia Nick Petrov The English term “cultural heritage” corresponds in Russian to the word combination pamyatniki istorii i kul’turi, meaning “objects of history and culture.” At the same time, there are important semantic differences. The primary meaning of the Russian word pamyatnik goes back to the word pamyat, meaning “memory.” So the best direct translation of pamyatnik would be “memorial.” As such, the word combination pamyatniki istorii i kul’turi covers the full range of cultural heritage, including buildings, monuments, pieces of art, archaeological sites, and any other non-natural sites. At the same time, pamyatnik istorii i kul’turi (singular) means “some particular material object.” The term “cultural heritage” was borrowed from English and is currently in use in Russian. For example, the relevant state department of the Ministry of Culture and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation is called the Federal Service on Supervision under the Observance of Legislation in the Sphere of Mass Communications and Protection of Cultural Heritage. “Cultural heritage” is used most commonly as a formal substitute for the words pamyatniki istorii i kul’turi. That is the reason, for example, that Federal Law 73–F3, the Russian law of 2002 dealing with cultural heritage is entitled On the Objects of Cultural Heritage (Historical and Cultural Sites) of the Peoples of the Russian Federation. The main feature of modern Russian history, which has affected heritage management, is the absence of political and developmental continuity. This can be traced to heritage management’s swift development during the nineteenth century, which was then interrupted by the political events of 1917. The formation of heritage management during the Soviet period of Russian history took place, but it was developed within the context of specific political and economic conditions of the Soviet state. For example, the absence of private property on the lands in Russia at that time significantly influenced the development of heritage management. The history of heritage management in Soviet Russia can be considered the history of good intentions. In spite of various laws and rules, actions were taken, with the approval of Soviet authorities, that were not in the best interest of heritage management. Extensive international sales of pieces of art from Russian museums took place during the 1920s and there was 154 Nick Petrov mass destruction of medieval Orthodox churches during the 1960s (Formozov 2004:272–78, 293–99). Although developers have been required to bear the expenses of archaeological research in the Soviet Union since 1934, in most cases excavation was the result of individual archaeologists’ efforts and not implementation of the law (Smirnov 2006). Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the fast formation of new political and economical conditions during the 1990s necessitated essential changes in heritage resource management. New federal laws dealing with “objects of cultural heritage” began to appear in the 1990s. Without this legislative base, Russian cultural heritage management would be in serious peril. Currently, these laws are working within the context of very complicated public and legal issues and opinions. Current heritage management in Russia, with its fresh legislative backbone, forms the legal basis for heritage management within the context of appropriate state institutions . With additional supporting documents and instructions regarding heritage resource management, the legal process will become more effective and efficient in its application. Historical Background The protection of cultural heritage in Russia can be traced to the early eighteenth century. Before the eighteenth century there were isolated instances of efforts to protect the past, such as the reconstruction in 1471 of St. George’s Cathedral, built in 1234 in the town of Yuriev-Polskoy (Formozov 1990:12; Yermolinskaya Letopis’ 1910:159). Systematic research and protection of cultural heritage started during the period of Peter the Great’s reforms, as part of his efforts to integrate Russia into Europe. There are three events that stand out with respect to the development of cultural heritage management in Russia: 1) the decree of 1718 that founded Kunstkammer, the first Russian museum (this decree mandated that all “old and unusual” finds, found in the ground or water, be handed over to this museum; see Laws of the Russian Empire 1830:541–42, no. 3159); 2) the Russian research expedition to Siberia in 1719, which was led by the German doctor and biologist Daniel Gothlib Messerschmidt (Formozov 1986:20); and 3) the first questionnaire for the collection of geographical and historical information (including archaeological data), which was prepared by the historian Vasiliy Tatishchev in 1737...