Kizhi Museum
Federal State Budget Institution “Kizhi State Open Air Museum of History, Architecture and Ethnography”

Dates of the course: 11-30 September 2017

10 September – arrival day;

1 October – departure day

Venue:

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Kizhi Island (11 days) and Petrozavodsk (10 days)

Organizer:

Kizhi Open Air Museum

Justification:

Wooden architecture is a unique part of the world historical and cultural heritage. Wooden architecture monuments of different countries were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, it is a very fragile and vulnerable part of the heritage. Conservation of wooden monuments is possible only under the condition of preservation of traditional carpentry techniques and use of traditional tools. At the same time, professionals in wooden architecture conservation should know the most contemporary preservation and restoration techniques, work with leading experts in the field of wooden architecture conservation and study the international experience.

The Russian North is a treasury of wooden architecture. More than 1300 wooden monuments have been preserved on the territory of the Republic of Karelia. The unique tradition of vernacular wood construction have been developed and highly preserved here, also rich experience in wooden architecture conservation have been accumulated.

The main part of the course “Wooden architecture conservation and restoration” will be held in the largest open air museum of Russia, the Kizhi museum, the collection of which includes 83 wooden architecture monuments. The basis of the museum collection is the UNESCO WHS Kizhi Pogost (XVIII- XIX cc.). Currently, the Kizhi Open Air Museum is carrying out the unique restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration built in 1714. The works are being performed with the use of the unique technology, customized to the complicated configuration of the structure. International experts participating in annual ICOMOS/UNESCO missions to the island of Kizhi have repeatedly noted the high professional level and the high quality of the restoration works. They have recommended to disseminate this experience in order to preserve wooden architecture monuments in Russia and the world.

In the process of training visits to the most interesting wooden architecture sites of Karelia will be organized, as well as acquaintance with the unique project of the Church of the Transfiguration restoration, lectures and practical lessons on wooden architecture conservation and restoration according to traditional carpentry techniques.

Goal and objectives of the course:

The goal of this course is to acquire professional knowledge in the field of conservation and restoration and to prepare the participants for the practical work on preservation of wooden architecture monuments in their countries.

Objectives:

• to introduce the features of Russian wooden architecture and carpentry traditions.
• to train wooden architecture monitoring and maintenance techniques.
• to provide knowledge and practical skills on traditional and modern wooden architecture restoration techniques.

Methodology:

The course is an intensive program combining theoretical and practical parts as well as participation in the current restoration projects of the Kizhi museum and visiting the most interesting wooden architecture monuments in Karelia.

Requirements to participants:

The course invites professionals in the field of wooden architecture conservation and restoration with practical experience in the area of not less than 3 years; specialized education is desirable.

Trainers:

Classes are conducted by experts of the Kizhi museum as well as Russian and foreign experts of educational, scientific and restoration organizations having the unique knowledge and practical experience in the field of wooden architecture monitoring, conservation and restoration.

Working languages:

English, Russian

Certificate:

1. Participants will receive certificates of completion of the ICCROM course «Wooden architecture conservation and restoration»
2. The total course program consists of 144 hours (4 ECTS), including practical and theoretical classes, presentations of the program participants, independent work with educational materials and preparation for the exam. A written test is held in the end of the course. In case of successful completion of the test a participant gets 4 credits in accordance with the university program of the additional professional education.

Students can be admitted to the exam and awarded by certificates only if they attended all the classes.

Course fee:

30 000 rubles. The course fee includes training as well as all program transfers.
Additional expenses:

• travel expenses from the place of residence to Petrozavodsk and back
• accommodation expenses in Petrozavodsk and Kizhi island
• meals expenses

For details please contact course coordinators.

Contacts:

We welcome all questions by email.

Letters concerning organizational issues should be sent in English or in Russian to the following address: international@kizhi.karelia.ru.

Contact persons – Olga Titova, Ksenia Kuznetsova

See also:

• Application form
• Preliminary programme ICCROM course