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

The World Heritage Site “Kizhi Pogost” (Kizhi Pogost, С544), the object of Federal ownership, is in day-to-day management of the Kizhi Federal Museum of Architecture and Cultural History, which is subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of RF. All kinds of management of Kizhi Pogost are controlled by the Russian Federal Surveillance Agency for Compliance with the Law in Cultural Heritage Protection, and Russian branch of the Committee of the World Heritage UNESCO.

The site is managed according to the legislation in force and the recommendations of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage on the basis of strategic and current planning to be undertaken by the Kizhi Federal Museum of Architecture and Cultural History.

Requirements for specifications in the development of a management plan for the World Heritage Site – Kizhi Pogost have been worked out in 2010. A contract for the development of a management plan for Kizhi Pogost based on the requirements for specifications will be signed with a specialized organization in 2011–2012.

On 29^th of October, 2010, the meeting of Section for wooden architecture within the Federal methodical council of Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation was held in Moscow. The restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration was discussed, and it was decided to establish the Federal Committee for coordination of restoration work. Now the document is submitted for the endorsement.

On 27^th of January, 2010, the Russian Federal Surveillance Agency for Compliance with the Law in Cultural Heritage Protection officially permitted (by license № 05–4/141) to continue works of the first stage of complex restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration in 2010.

On 9^th of March, 2010, the Russian Federal Surveillance Agency for Compliance with the Law in Cultural Heritage Protection officially permitted (by license №05-4/15) to implement repair and emergency works on the roof and the porch of the Church of the Intercession.

On November 2^nd, 2010, a special web–page for exchanging the information with the World Heritage Committee experts was created on the museum web–site. The concise report on restoration works of the Church of the Transfiguration implemented in 2010 and the project of Statement of the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site – Kizhi pogost were published on this web–page.

In 2010, state budgetary financing in the amount of 40 632,3 thousand RUB was secured for the restoration of the Kizhi pogost monuments including:

• complex restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration, 1 st stage — 26,2534 mln RUB
• restoration of the iconostasis of the Church of the Transfiguration — 3585,2 thousand RUB.
• development of research and design works for complex restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration — 2725,0 thousand RUB
• engineering supervision for the implementation of the 1 st stage of complex restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration — 740,9 thousand RUB
• preparation of the 1 st lot of measurement drawings for the refectory and cost estimation for restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration foundations — 92,0 thousand RUB
• development of a project for protected (buffer) zones of the Federal heritage Site «Kizhi Pogost architectural ensemble» — 184.8 thousand RUB
• development of a project «Alarm system of the Kizhi pogost perimeter» — 95,0 thousand RUB
• Mounting of an alarm system of the Kizhi pogost perimeter on Kizhi — 4 573,8 thousand RUB.
• Completion of development of fire — fighting water pump station for Kizhi Pogost — 445,3 thousand RUB
• 3 d scanning of the Church of the Transfiguration structural elements — 1592,1 thousand RUB
• developing requirements specification for the management plan of the WHS — Kizhi Pogost — 95.0 thousand RUB
• monitoring of wood biodestruction for the Pogost monuments and its architectural surroundings — 90,0 thousand RUB
• monitoring of deformations of the Kizhi Pogost monuments — 60,0 thousand RUB
• description of «Protected values of the heritage site — monument of Kizhi Pogost architectural ensemble» — 99,8 thousand RUB

On 8^th of December, 2010, the museum submitted the project of protected (buffer) zones of Kizhi Pogost which was approved by State historical and cultural expertize for consideration and confirmation to the Russian Federal Surveillance Agency for Compliance with the Law in Cultural Heritage Protection. After the consideration, Federal organization responsible for the protection of culture «Rosochrancultura» submitted the documents for endorsement to the Ministry of natural resources of Russian Federation.

Protected zones of the World Heritage Site – Kizhi Pogost include Kizhi island and adjacent Onega lake basin. Four regimes of land use and town planning were fixed for Kizhi island to secure the development of the Kizhi museum infrastructure.

Boundaries of protected nature landscape coincide with the boundaries of the museum protected area fixed by Decree of the Supreme Council of the Repubic of Karelia N Х П-16/484 as of February 19, 1993. Zones with regulations for land use and town planning were fixed within the boundaries of protected landscapes in historic villages.

Buffer zone for Kizhi Pogost will include all protected zones of the Kizhi Pogost.

Management of the Site security system is accomplished by the personnel of the Security of the Kizhi Museum, Subdivision of the General Board of Ministry for Civil Defense, Emergency Management, and Natural Disasters Response of the Republic of Karelia, and Subdivision of Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Karelia.

In 2010, the project of the Kizhi pogost alarm system with infrared scanners and annunciators located along the perimeter was developed. The mounting of the system has started, all necessary equipment was purchased and delivered to Kizhi. The mounting is scheduled prior to the tourist season in 2011. The alarm system enables round–the–clock watching of territory adjacent to the Kizhi Pogost.

In May and October 2010, seasonal testing of fire–fighting system and changes of their winter/summer operating regime were done. Testing and maintenance of fire–fighting system is done on regular basis.

Systems of alarm, fire–alarm and people evacuation were tested two times by commissions through the year.

Touchpen Commander system was installed on the security patrol route on the safeguarded territory.

In summer, when the museum territory is overcrowded with tourist groups, safeguarding was reinforced by additional patrols and the museum security post guards.

«Stroy Project» Co Ltd performed works on modernization of electric supply system for all the monuments on the main exhibition sector of the museum in line with the State contract. They are scheduled for operation for the year 2011. As a result, the Kizhi Pogost has two independent sources of power supply – from the basic and alternative diesel generators.

In 2010, maintenance and repair of the equipment were done to provide the reliable work of the alternative diesel generator.

In 2010, the reconstruction of external electric power supply to Kizhi island was continued within the framework of the contract with Public Corporation «Inter–regional distributive network of the North–West». The completion of this work and bringing into service the upgraded electric communication networks is scheduled for the year 2014.

In 2010, the project of outdoor fire–fighting system for Kizhi Pogost was corrected by the suggestion of Co ltd «Spetsprojectrestavratsia» Institute (St. Petersburg). According to the remarks made, all the buildings and facilities will be buried deep in ground to preserve visual panorama of the Kizhi Pogost. The project was corrected by «Sever Stroy Project» Co Ltd. In November, the museum submitted a request to the Ministry of Regional Development of Russian Federation for performing the State examination of the project. The Kizhi Museum plans to start the project in 2012.

Timber flooring in the Church of the Transfiguration were treated with fire retardant agent.

In July 2010, Karelian subdivision of the General Board of Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergency Management, and Natural Disasters Response in cooperation with respective museum services and non–departmental security agency of Petrozavodsk and Medvezhiegorsk district performed the training of «Extinguishing simulated fire in the Church of the Intercession»

The office of a centralized TV monitoring system which integrates alarm, fire protection systems and video monitoring operates near Pogost and works round–the–clock year–round.

Museum employees received training and instructions for emergency situations and use of fire fighting equipment during the year.

The Kizhi Museum in cooperation with researchers from the Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences (Petrozavodsk) and «Spetsprojectrestavratsiya» Institute (Moscow) continued a complex monitoring of Kizhi Pogost monuments.

Reference points on church facades were allocated during complex geodetic survey of the monuments (the Church of the Transfiguration, the Church of the Intercession and the bell–tower). The investigation has not revealed changes in heights and turns of the monuments. The ascertained changes in coordinates lie within the measurement error and have seasonal character.

Microclimate was monitored in main premises of the monuments including idle ones – basements and attics. Regular airing of monuments during warm period of the year as well as in–time conservation for winter helped to create optimal service conditions.

The general condition of the Church of the Intercession and the bell tower can be estimated as a stable one. New defects of the structural elements, new zones of high wood moisture content and zones destructed by fungi and insects and water leakage were not revealed.

Permanent monitoring, preventive conservation and maintenance was carried out during the year.

In October–November, the restoration company Co Ltd «Atrium» (St.Petersburg) made 3d laser scanning of the Church of the Transfiguration in line with the contract with the Kizhi museum. As a result, a high–precision measurements of all the monument structural elements in its today position was done.

High–precision three–dimensional fixation of the today position of logs was done by the means of electronic tacheometer before the dismantling of the lower restoration tier.

The Kizhi Architectural Ensemble is the main tourist sight of the Kizhi Museum and the focal point of the main outdoor tourist exposition. Thus, the main research is one way or another focused on Kizhi architectural ensemble. Total amount of tourists in 2010 comprised 167 783 persons.

22 permanent exhibitions were organized in the monuments in the immediate neighborhood of Kizhi Pogost ensemble in 2010. In the Church of the Intercession the following exhibitions were made: interior exposition in the Church proper, Icon painting exhibition in the refectory and History of Kizhi parish in the hall. In addition to that, the Church bells were exhibited in the bell tower.

During the year researchers of the Kizhi Museum developed the following research and development projects: «The History of the Kizhi Architectural Ensemble», «Interiors of Kizhi churches», «History of Kizhi district in peasants genealogy (XVI–XIX cc.)» and «Historical and ethnographic study of villages in Kizhi district».

In 2010, the regular 13th issue of collected research papers «Kizhi vestnik» was prepared in the Kizhi open–air museum. Articles on building and study history of the Kizhi Pogost architectural ensemble will be published in this issue along with the others.

Archeological heritage of the Kizhi Pogost is studied on regular base. In summer 2010, the trench was excavated near the south wall of the Church of the Transfiguration to study cultural depositions. They found remains of the old foundation of the older bell–tower which was dismantled in 1862 due to dilapidation.

In addition to that, a final report on R & D project «Architectural study of medieval villages of Kizhi district» was prepared in 2010.

Information support of works on preservation and restoration of the Kizhi Pogost is one of the main activities of press service of the Kizhi Museum.

In 2010, monthly paper «Kizhi» published 10 materials on restoration of the museum monument No1, and the news bulletin was supplemented with 12 news. In addition, materials focused on the course of restoration works were published in local and federal printed matters. 12 materials were published in local newspapers: «Karelia», «Moskovsky komsomolets» in Karelia, «Molodezhnaya gazeta Karelii», «Karjalan sanomat», «Karel'skaya gubernija». 3 materials were published in Russian printed matters – newspapers «Stroitel'naya gazeta», «Rossijskaya gazeta», in «Dizajn and stroitel'stvo» magazin.

In 2010 the museum press–service prepared six press releases on the course of restoration works done, and these releases were sent to more than 500 addresses.

Sections «Architecture» and «Restoration news» of the official web site of the Kizhi Museum are constantly supplemented with new information, press releases and publications. In 2010 the site was supplemented with 28 materials, 4 videos on restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration: «Mounting of metal constructions», «Reconstruction of historic foundation», «Dismantling of the lower restoration tier», «Transportation of the monument dismantled elements to the Restoration Complex»; 4 videos «One day on Kizhi», «Patriarch Kirill visit to Kizhi», «Inhabited island»; photo album «Restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration. 2010».

A live telecast «National focus» on the topic of the Church of the Transfiguration restoration was broadcasted in the beginning of the year 2010.

Press conference «The results of the UNESCO–ICOMOS mission visit» was organized for the representatives of Karelian mass–media; press tour was made to demonstrate the results of restoration work on Kizhi in 2010.

The restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration during the season is covered by electronic mass media. There were 12 broadcasts on this topic on TV channels of Karelia and 9 broadcasts on Russian TV channels: «NTV–St.Petersburg», TK «Kultura», «Rossia», RTR «Vesti–24» and a broadcast on «Golos Rossii».

Journalists abroad show deep interest in restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration. The Museum press service organized the work of survey squad of TV channel «Russia–Today» (News 24) in 2010.

The majority of press–service materials were published in Internet. 76 references were publised on web–sites of Russian and Karelian agencies, news digests and portals.

Creative interpretaion of Kizhi architectural ensemble was presented on exhibitions: «Harmony of contrast», «Museum in kids' art», «Wooden architecture of Kizhi» and photo exhibitions «Karelia. Image in time», «Kizhi. Seasons», «Kizhi Almost Unreal».

Museum visitors can visit the museum information center and attend 10 lectures on Kizhi architectural ensemble, visit photo exhibition «Summer on Kizhi – 2010» with photos on restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration, watch movie «Kizhi in the Lace of Time», take free booklets «In front of the World (restoration news)», «Carpenter Centre of the Kizhi open–air museum», «Restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration»,

Info materials were distributed during the exhibitions «MATKA» (Helsinki, Finland), «Economics of the Republic of Karelia», and also the All–Russia museum festival «Intermuseum» and during the meeting with tourist companies–partners of the museum. E–catalogs were sent to 160 large tourist companies.

5 kinds of printed matter which was published by the Museum Publishing Centre referred to the restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration. UNESCO logo was used in 20 kinds of advertizing and info matter (10 145 copies).

The museum has produced 40 kinds of souvenirs and published goods (calenders, notebooks, magnets, tableware, textile, books, etc.) with the image of the Architectural Ensemble of Kizhi Pogost and its short description.

Preservation of landscapes, natural and architectural environment is one of the important tasks for the Kizhi open–air museum.

The Commission on preservation of the historic landscape annually evaluates the extent to which trees and bushes are overgrown on the territory, and it records other changes as well.

Program on clearing Kizhi landscape is going on; it is aimed at preservation and reconstruction of historic landscape.

The next stage of landscape research was performed within the program of ecological monitoring of nature in Kizhi museum. It resulted in the development of a complex landscape map for protected area of the Kizhi open–air museum.

The construction of loading terminal on Kizhi which had started in 2008 was continued. In 2010, «Gidrostroy» Co. Ltd. won the State contract for 115,8 mln RUB and drew 36,0641 mln RUB.

The construction works will be continued in 2011.

In 2010 the Kizhi museum repaired roads on Kizhi island to improve security of the World Heritage Site and provide comfort for visitors. The amount of contract was 5,5 mln RUB. After that, real arrival time of a fire–fighting brigade and the personnel of Subdivision of Ministry of Internal Affairs from their headquarters to Kizhi Pogost was cut a half. It raised the efficiency of reaction to emergency situations on Pogost and museum territory.

UNESCO–ICOMOS reaction monitoring mission visited Kizhi in April 2010. The decision of the mission was approved on the 34^th session of the World Heritage Center and it gives some recommendations both to the State Party under the Convention on World Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and to the Kizhi museum. The Kizhi museum did their best to implement the decisions, but more active participation of the State Party is required to solve certain problems.

Thus, the 1^st stage of the restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration was continued in 2010.

The development of the management plan for World Heritage Site – Kizhi Pogost has been started in collaboration with the Institute of Economics of the Karelian Research Centre, RAS. Detailed requirements for specifications have been developed, and the management plan will be made in 2011–2012 in line with the contract which will be signed with a specialized organization.

The Kizhi museum has developed «Project of protected (buffer) zones for Federal Heritage Site Kizhi Pogost» and submitted it for endorsement to the Russian Federal Surveillance Agency for Compliance with the Law in Cultural Heritage Protection.

On October 29, 2010, the meeting of wooden architectural section of Federal methodical council of Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation was held in Moscow. The restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration was discussed and it was decided to establish the State Committee for coordination of restoration work. Then the Kizhi museum addressed the Ministry of Culture RF to establish special State Committee for coordination of restoration work.

Since 7^th till 21^st of September, 2010 a training course for Kizhi museum carpenters was organized. Leading restorers, wood scientists from Petrozavodsk State University, Russian Academy of Sciences, design and restoration companies lectured at the course.

In November 2010, a special web–page was created on the museum web–site to exchange information on Kizhi Pogost preservation between the museum and WHC experts. The page can be upgraded according to wishes of parties. The access to the page is provided to WHC experts and authorized museum specialists.

Technical feasibility for installation of additional web–cameras on Kizhi Pogost and the Restoration workshop will appear later than mid–2011. However, we can place technical photos and videos of all restoration processes on the special web–page in order to provide necessary information on restoration of the Church of the Transfiguration to WHC.

«Spetsprojectrestavratsija» Institute in collaboration with the Kizhi museum experts develops the manual «Approaches for repairing and restoring logs and elements of the Church of the Transfiguration» on the basis of UNESCO experts recommendations and Russian experience. The proposed approaches will be presented to UNESCO–ICOMOS mission experts in February, 2010 on Kizhi.

Translation of documents for World Heritage Centre is done by specially appointed Kizhi museum employee.

The project of Statement of Outstanding Universal Value of WHC has been developed and submitted to World Heritage Centre in January 2011.