Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 March (BelTA) – The UNESCO World Heritage Center gives much importance to cooperation with Belarus, Director of the World Heritage Center Kishore Rao said as he met with Belarus’ Permanent Representative at UNESCO Pavel Latushko, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian Embassy in France.

Pavel Latushko informed Kishore Rao about Belarus’ efforts to restore the properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Mir Castle Complex was restored in 2010; the restoration of the Nesvizh Castle Complex was concluded in 2012. Pavel Latushko told Kishore Rao about the state program Castles of Belarus that envisages restoration, conservation and renovation of 38 historical monuments.

Kishore Rao underlined that the UNESCO World Heritage Center highly values cooperation with Belarus and appreciates Belarus’ efforts to restore the monuments included in the list. He emphasized that the Center is willing to expand cooperation with Belarus.

Two international seminars were held at the National History and Culture Museum Reserve Nesvizh and the Mir Castle Complex in 2012 to discuss plans to preserve the world heritage. Taking part in the seminars were experts of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, representatives of Belarus, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Poland, Ukraine and other countries. They agreed to hold more seminars in Belarus to discuss the matter.

Pavel Latushko and Kishore Rao shared views on a possibility to inscribe more Belarusian properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Belarus has compiled a Tentative List of properties that might be suitable for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are the Augustow Canal, the Brest Hero-Fortress, the Kamenets Tower, the Kolozha Church in Grodno, tangible and intangible property of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble and other properties.

The Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center assured that he is willing to help Belarus with nomination procedures.

The sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue fruitful cooperation.

Kishore Rao was given a book “Belarus’ Heritage” and a textbook “International and National Legal Framework for Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage in the CIS” published in 2012 with assistance of the CIS Humanitarian Cooperation Fund.