PRESENTATION OF RECONSTRUCTED METROPOLITAN'S RESIDENCE AND FIRST UKRAINAN ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 23, 2006 IN KIEV IN THE TERROTIRY OF SOFIA KYIVSKA
 
UNIAN. A solemn presentation of the reconstructed Metropolitan's Residence will be held in the territory of the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska" on October 23, 2006. The presentation of the first Ukrainian Architecture Museum will be held on the same day. The Architecture Museum will be the central exposition of the Metropolitan's Residence. This information was reported to the UNIAN news agency by the press service of the Foundation for Development of Ukraine which co-financed the reconstruction of the Metropolitan's Residence.
As UNIAN was told by the Foundation for Development of Ukraine, after reconstruction, the Metropolitan's Residence, being a monument of architecture of the 18th century, will be used as a place for formal summit presentations. In addition, exhibitions and expositions will take place there.
According to information provided by the Foundation, up to now the principal reconstruction has been completed inside the Metropolitan's Residence, the first floor of the building has been completely restored. Presently, the restoration and special works continue under approved performance schedule. As of October 1, 2006, UAH 14,673,736 were spent, the works are conducted by "Kiev Inter-Regional Special Scientific Restoration Design and Production Department" of Ukrrestavratsia corporation (the restoration was started in winter 2005/2006. Under the agreement for charitable endowment to carry out repair and restoration works of the Metropolitan's House dated January 12, 2006, the Foundation for Development of Ukraine transferred UAH 15 million to the budget account of the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska" -UNIAN).
The Foundation representatives added that after restoration financed by the Foundation is completed, further control over the project and search for the funds will be completely vested in the Advisory Board of the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska", which was established at the initiative of the Foundation.  
As for the State Architecture Museum, it is a structural part of National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska" and will be located in the Metropolitan's Residence after all restoration and finishing works are completed. The representatives of the Foundation stressed that it will the first Ukrainian Architecture Museum (there are similar museums in many countries: Russia, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, etc - UNIAN). During the presentation on October 23 the furnishings of the halls for solemn governmental receptions will be demonstrated. Until now, these furnishings have been partially completed
According to the Foundation, the creation of exposition of the Architecture Museum will be based on the library materials of the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska": sample collection of the building materials of Х - ХХ centuries. (original plinths, resonators, mosaic coating, mosaics and fresco fragments of  Х-ХІІ centuries), copies of the monumental painting of ХІ-ХІІ centuries as well as collections of the architectural graphics of the Soviet period and prototypes of the architecture monuments.
The Museum will also be provided with the restored architectural prototypes of famous architecture monuments: unique hand-made miniatures. In addition, it will be provided with the Photo collection of architecture cards of Ukraine which will form the basis of a project for encyclopedia of architecture "Ukraine. A country of live architecture". The Museum will also have unique exhibits from the archive of the Reserve, in particular, draft designs of key architects of XIX and XX centuries.
It is planned to hold architecture exhibitions in the Museum: solo exhibitions of modern architects, exhibition of designs of architecture contests as well as exhibitions dedicated to the creative heritage of architects forming the gold reserve of Ukrainian architecture.
The Museum will be open for all visitors after the restoration and rehabilitation of the Metropolitan's Residence are completed and all exhibits are placed there, the representatives of the Foundation added.  
 
Reference by UNIAN. Foundation for Development of Ukraine is a non-profitable organization founded by SCM Group (SCM Company and FC Shakhtar) on July 15, 2005. The budget of the Foundation is formed at the expense of SCM Company. The areas of activity of the Foundation include contemporary education, nation's health and cultural property.
The Foundation participates in restoration of the Metropolitan's Residence in the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska" within the framework of the "Cultural Property" program.
The Metropolitan's Residence was built in 1722-1730 in Ukrainian baroque. First, it was a one-floor building; the second floor was built in 1731-1748, later, a mansard and a new creased roof were added. There are luxurious baroque gables at the eastern and western facades. It looks like a luxurious palace, with the eastern façade facing the cathedral square and the western façade facing the former Metropolitan's metochion.

16.10.06