The event will not merely bolster up cultural monument protection but spectacularly promote Russia's national progress. Mikhail Shvydkoi, in charge of the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography, is sure on that point.
"It is not an aim in itself to study and protect our cultural heritage. With that, we are adding to the national treasure trove," he said.
As Mr. Shvydkoi pointed out, the cause had not been receiving sufficient attention within the previous few years. "I think today's session will come as a major stimulus to regional and federal authorities to enhance their attention to historical and cultural heritage preservation. That's a national cause. If we care about the future, we ought also to care about the past-or it will shoot us in the back."
He went on to quote telling statistics. Russia currently needs 380 billion rubles to protect its monuments. Meanwhile, respective federal allocations make an annual five billion rubles (R27.58/$1 is today's Central Bank rate).
Nevertheless, the burning matter demands not a mere funding increase but reliable practical patterns to work out, Mr. Shvydkoi emphasized.
He also dwelt on property-holding relations between federal and regional authorities. "To merely include cultural heritage in the economic turnover does not mean to solve the problem. The state is bearing huge responsibilities here. We are to draw at least the shortest possible list of monuments to stay in federal holding."
As the speaker explained, he was referring to projects necessary to cope with official state functions, and unique cultural monuments.
It is hard to overestimate a landmark purport of today's session, Yuri Laptev, presidential adviser and Secretary of the Presidential Council for Culture and the Arts, said to the media. "The higher ruling echelon is eager to tackle the problems of preserving our historical heritage. Today's session dotted all i's and crossed all t's to highlight the points all conferees are to digest, whether functionaries of central offices, regional governors or members of the public."
