Library for Foreign Literature and the IFLA Preservation and Conservation Centre in Eastern Europe (IFLA PAC) have launched another international exchange programme for preservation specialists. This year, the focus was on the professional experience of Bavarian libraries and museums.

Training programme «Cultural heritage as a basis for intercultural dialogue. Preservation Strategies in Russia and Germany» was held from 20 to 26 October. It included lectures, visits to restoration workshops, visits to the collections and exhibitions of the Institute for Conservation and Restoration of the Bavarian State Library, the Restoration Centre of the Bavarian Palace Administration and the Schaezlerpalais.

The program involved participation of restoration specialists from: Library for Foreign Literature, Sverdlovsk Regional Library named after V.G. Belinsky (Ekaterinburg), Library of the Ibero-American Institute of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (Berlin), Regional Document Preservation Center of the Tomsk State University and Fundamental Research Archaeological Laboratory of Ural Federal University and the largest museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

German colleagues have been very generous in sharing their professional experience and specific techniques for the conservation of paper and leather bindings, photographs, graphics, applied arts and oil paintings.

The Bavarian State Library prepared the most intensive program: there was a detailed tour for the Russian colleagues with a presentation of the work of all departments of the library, including the Department of Eastern Europe and its new reading room.

Cooperation agreements within the Strategic Programme on reservation and Conservation were reached with the participation of German specialists in international scientific conferences organized by Library for Foreign Literature and the School of Restoration, which traditionally take place within the framework of the Russian Congress of the RBA by the International Cooperation Section.

The professional programme also included visits to local cultural heritage sites such as Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and the charming village of Obermmergau, famous for its Luftmalerei -style decorated buildings. Those world-famous sights of Bavaria created a unique atmosphere during the training and left no one indifferent.

In 2020, Library for Foreign Literature and the IFLA Preservation and Conservation Centre for the CIS and Eastern Europe (IFLA PAC) plan to continue running international exchange programmes. Negotiations are currently underway with major foreign document conservation centres. Of particular interest as part of the Russian chairmanship of BRICS in 2020 are the countries of that group. A professional exchange visit to Brazilian preservation and conservation centres is being considered.  The National Library of Brazil is the member of/hosts IFLA Strategic Programme on Preservation and conservation for/in Latin American and the Caribbean is  the regional representative of the IFLA PAC Centre for several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Experts in cultural heritage preservation from Russia, CIS countries and Eastern Europe are welcome to participate in international exchange programmes and other events. Russian translation is available during professional visits.

Also in 2020, it is planned to hold the next special event – School of Restoration – within the framework of  All-Russian Library Congress of RBA in Petrozavodsk (17-21 May); Annual Interdisciplinary  Research-to-Practice Conference “Book Monuments in the aspect of preservation” (Library for Foreign Literature, October). Throughout the year, Center for Preservation and Conservation of Documents  conducts professional development programmes.

Contact information:

+7 (495) 915 01 65, international@libfl.ru – for the participation in visiting training programmes and schools of restorer;

+7 (495) 915 78 85, academy@libfl.ru – for the participation in professional development programmes in the Center Preservation and Conservation of Documents of Library for Foreign Literature;

+7 (495) 915 36 96 roza.m.salnikova@libfl.ru – for the participation in conferences and seminars of Center for Preservation and Conservation of Documents of Library for Foreign Literature.