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A
World Heritage Committee session, held in Durban (South Africa), has approved
the addition of the Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the
Radziwill Family at Nesvizh and the Struve Geodetic Arc (a trans-border chain of
survey triangulations — 19 of which are located in Belarus) into the World
Heritage List
Belarus has awaited
this news for some time. Now, the Radziwill Palace in Nesvizh stands alongside
the Great Wall of China, the Roman Coliseum and the Giza Pyramids. The list now
includes not only the palace — which is undergoing scrupulous restoration —
but the entire architectural and cultural complex. The whole country’s past is
closely related to Nesvizh and its owners. The rich family archives include
documents from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — one of the first court theatres
was opened there; the ‘Radziwill map’ was created there and, for three
centuries, remained the most accurate. The dynasty burial-vault is located there
and is unique in Europe. Two years ago, the republic was visited by experts from
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). They viewed the 15
historical and cultural sites of Belarus and concluded that the Architectural
and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Residence in Nesvizh deserved top-priority
in being added to the list.
Many specialists admit
that they worried greatly while awaiting the ICOMOS verdict. To earn its place
on the list, the site should have obvious world significance. For instance, at
the previous meeting, the World Heritage Committee declined to add Polish Jasna
Gora — a monastery complex which holds Catholic relics for Poland such as the
image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa. They considered the site to be
insufficiently important to the world or at least European heritage.
The UNESCO World
Heritage List is not usually replenished by more than one site per country per
year. However, Belarus was doubly lucky in being able to add the second site (the
trans-border Struve Arc). It stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Danube
estuary, from Norway to Moldova. 19 survey triangulations are located in Belarus.
The Russian-Scandinavian Arc is the most accurate and the longest. It dates back
to the first half of the 19th century and its numerous station points which mark
the meridian represent the beginning of earth science and topographic mapping.
All these factors preconditioned the UNESCO decision to add it to the World
Heritage List.
The conference of
World Heritage status brings responsibilities; it should spur us to greater
efforts to maintain and restore these fine sites and promote them globally.
“UNESCO has a long elaborated concept that natural and cultural heritage
should be not only protected but also taken advantage of,” says Vladimir
Schastny, Chairman of the National UNESCO Committee. “It should be used for
educational, cultural and economic purposes; any world heritage site represents
a huge interest for tourists.”
Undoubtedly, it is a
great honour for the country and a huge responsibility not only for Belarus, but
for the whole world.
Based on publication in "The Minsk Times"
July 2005