Dutch-Russian cooperation on Lefortovo Park

A Dutch team of heritage experts visited Moscow from 12 to 19 October 2015 for an extensive advisory mission on the revitalization of built and ‘green’ heritage. This mission was part of the Dutch policy framework on Shared Cultural Heritage in which Russia is one of the priority countries. The extraordinary Lefortovo Park in Moscow, designed in 1721-23 by the Dutch physician of tsar Peter the Great, Nicholas Bidloo, was one of the major topics. The mission was executed by the Dutch Embassy in Moscow and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands in close cooperation with the City of Moscow and the MGOMZ Kolomenskoye.

The advisory mission was partly related to Denkmal Moscow. During this important heritage fair, lectures were given about education, financing, maintenance and restoration of built and green heritage in the Netherlands and a Round Table discussion was held about the Lefortovo Park in Moscow. Additionally, a contribution was given to the Urban Heritage Strategies workshop for Russian heritage experts. In this workshop the fortified city of Rostov and Lefortovo Park were selected as a case for study and action-planning for the the Russian participants.

As a fringe activity, a visit was also paid to Rostov Veliki, a historic city in the famous ‘Golden Ring’ which is surrounded by fortifications constructed in a Dutch tradition. The Mayor of Rostov was one of the participants in the Round Table session at the heritage fair. All stakeholders benefitted from these direct exchanges of knowledge.

OBJECTIVES
The advisory mission was aimed at:

• exchanging knowledge about legislation, maintenance, restoration and revitalization of cultural heritage in both Russia and the Netherlands;

• investigating and defining the current state of maintenance and needs of Lefortovo Park;

• bringing stakeholders together for interdisciplinary collaboration.

RESULTS
The mission comprised an intensive seven-day programme of activities. The Dutch team members gave several presentations on cultural historical themes at Denkmal Moscow and the Urban Heritage Strategies workshop. The programme also included a Round Table discussion with 25 Russian experts and stakeholders. During the mission, interesting site visits and discussions with local stakeholders took place concerning research, building local community support and other heritage management issues.

See also:
Mariël Kok (Expert)

Government of Moscouw (Organisation)
MGOMZ Kolomenskoye (Organisation)