It is no surprise that almost all historical and cultural sites of Ukraine of both national and international importance are in a poor condition and require urgent restoration. The state doesn’t always help solve such problems. Therefore, the general public is hoped to play an active role in preservation of the historical heritage. Recent days saw a briefing dedicated to establishment of the Advisory Board of Sofia Kievskaya National Reserve that aims to build a strategy for the reserve development, help resolve various problems and raise required funds. The project was initiated by Anatoliy Zabolotny, director of the Foundation for the Development of Ukraine. His ideas were naturally supported by the reserve management headed by Neonila Kukovalskaya, and by prominent public figures of Ukraine that accepted invitation to join the Advisory Board. The new structure comprises 19 people and will be headed by Nikolay Zhulinskiy, a Member of Parliament of Ukraine, Head of the National Council on Cultural and Spiritual Issues, and Director of Taras Shevchenko Institute of Literature of the Academy of Science of Ukraine. This decision was made at the first Meeting of the Advisory Board held in the Reserve on 30 June, 2006. The list of other members includes Anatoliy Kinakh, Yuriy Belokon’, Markiyan Lubkivskiy, Petr Tolochko, etc.
 
Neonila Kukovalskaya, Director General of Sofia Kievskaya National Reserve, has a rather optimistic view. ‘I believe we will accomplish all the tasks’, she said. ‘Following the decree of the President of Ukraine about restoration of Sofia Kievskaya, we have developed a 3-year work schedule’.
 
The director also said she was happy about regular financing. The first portion of funds has been already invested into restoration of the Metropolitan’s House. Anatoliy Zabolotny provided UAH 15m of the amount. The other share will finance finishing work, gilding, etc. The administration scheduled to invite restorers from Greece and Italy but it requires huge amount of money. Ms Kukovalskaya hopes to get help from Kiev City Council and various influential organizations. Also, there are other difficulties including the negative impact produced by the adjacent fitness center and engineering activities for pipeline shifting that are being done on the area of the Reserve. Implementation of the 3-year plan requires UAH 105m. The amount is relatively small for the state, yet it is not able to finance it.
 
If the project to establish the first ever Advisory Board in Ukraine turns out to be effective, it can be a shining example of urgent problems resolution with help of the society that cares for its history, its past, which is also its present and can become its future.
 
Newspaper Den'
By Alexey Kostyuchenko

3.07.06