Global Aspiration and Pastiche Identity: Architectural Preservation in Russia

 

This inter-disciplinary conference was held at Queen Mary, University of London on 6-7 November 2010.

 

For a report about the proceedings, click here.

 

To download a programme, click here.

 

For questions, please contact Prof. Andreas Schönle at a.schonle@qmul.ac.uk

 

Description

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, major Russian cities have been undergoing rapid development, which has led to unprecedented destruction of the architectural heritage. Owing to the practice of replacing historical buildings with modern structures built in concrete and disguised by a mock façade in historical style, the cityscape of the Russian capital increasingly looks like a theme park. This conference convened an international group of academics and preservationists to investigate the historical context of this crisis, examine current practices, and identify opportunities for future action. It is hoped that through an inter-disciplinary dialogue, the historical roots of attitudes regarding architectural preservation in Russia can be revealed.

The conference was funded by The Ludwig Fund, New College, Oxford; Queen Mary, University of London; the GB-Russia Society; and the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies.