International workshop seminar Wooden architecture as a phenomenon of national culture

International workshop seminar Wooden architecture as a phenomenon of national culture was held in Petrozavodsk State University. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Public Relations of the Republic of Karelia, experts of Research Institute of Historical and Theoretical Problems of National Architecture, Universities of Florence (Italy) and Valencia (Spain), Mimar Sinan University (Istanbul, Turkey) and Petrozavodsk State University have taken part in the seminar.

Professor of Chair of Architecture, Building Units and Geotechnics of PetrSU, full member of Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, Doctor of Architecture, Director of Research Institute of Historical and Theoretical Problems of National Architecture Vyacheslav Orfinsky has welcomed the seminar participants. He has told about creative and fruitful cooperation between PetrSU and University of Florence concerning wooden architecture and has expressed hope for further constructive dialoguing.

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Public Relations of Karelia Galina Brun has welcomed the audience. She has thanked Italian colleagues for participation in actions significant for the republic and Petrozavodsk State University - for organization of the seminar, and has also invited everyone to take part in a large conference devoted to issues of wooden architecture preservation in 2010.

Vice-rector for Education Vladimir Syunev in his welcome speech has noted that it is no mere chance that the seminar is held in PetrSU, as the university is one of the largest universities in the Northwest of Russia where wooden architecture is actively supported and developed.

During the seminar its participants have discussed both large-scale issues of preservation of wooden architectural heritage by example of implemented projects, and considered some particular issues of research of traditional wooden chapels in the Russian North, prevention of destruction of wooden monuments, classification of log constructions, etc.

Specialists from Italy have told about technology of studying log constructions in the village of Bolshaya Selga, as well as in the village of Panozero where features of flora and fauna have been studied in addition.

Researchers from the University of Valencia at the meeting have considered aspects of studying and preservation of traditional log buildings of agricultural purpose in Spain, Turkish specialists have told about preservation of wooden architecture in the area of Lake Iznik.

Professor of the University of Florence Stefano Bertocchi has expressed hope that joint work with Karelian colleagues and exchange of opinions and experience will continue in the future and will lead to essential results in solution of tasks of preservation of cultural objects of wooden architecture in Russia and in Europe.