UNESCO Makes Research on the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Crimea

05 June 2011

On May 18, 2011 the leading consultant of UNESCO – United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization – professor Bernd von Droste came with the working visit to Ukraine.

The goal of Bernd von Droste’s visit to Ukraine – one of the most recognized international experts in UNESCO, former CEO of the UNESCO Center of World Heritage is to examine the cultural and natural heritage of Crimea that has value to all mankind.

The main objects of Professor Bernd von Droste’s research in Crimea are Khan’s Palace (Bakhchisaray) and Chersonese (Sebastopol).

During Professor Bernd von Droste’s working visit to Crimea he is accompanied by the Ukrainian scientists – deputy director on scientific work of the Scientific Research Institute on protection of monuments of the Ministry of culture and tourism of Ukraine, candidate of historical studies Timur Bobrovsky, head of the department of research of the monuments of science and technology, architecture and urban planning, Candidate of Architecture Valeria Ievleva and head of department of protection of archeological heritage Ruslan Osadchy.

On June 4, 2011 Professor Bernd von Droste held meeting with the Vice-Chairman of Crimean Tatar Mejlis, President of the World Crimean Tatar Congress Refat Chubarov and the head of Mejlis’ foreign relations department Ali Khamzin in Khan-Saray – single preserved monument of Crimean Tatar palace architecture. The participants of the meeting discussed the questions related to today’s condition of Khan-Saray and steps that have to be taken in order to preserve and popularize this unique historical monument.

The same day Professor Bernd von Droste along with his Ukrainian colleagues met the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, MP of Ukraine Mustafa Jemilev and the Head of Bakhchisaray Regional State Administration Ilmi Umerov. During the meeting that was also attended by the CEO of Bakhchisaray Historical – Cultural Reserve Evgeny Petrov, deputy CEO of Bakhchisaray Historical – Cultural Reserve Olexa Hayvoronsky, Vice-Chairman of Crimean Tatar Mejlis Refat Chubarov and the head of Mejlis’ foreign relations department Ali Khamzin its participants exchanged opinions on a wide range of problems and issues related to return, resettlement and restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people.

In conclusion of the meeting the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev thanked the high guest for research made on the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Crimea and expressed hope that Khan-Saray will be included into the list of the UNESCO World Heritage.

The working visit of Professor Bernd von Droste to Crimea was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine in the framework of the program of co-operation between the EU and Ukraine with a special role given to Crimea – the role of the pilot project in broadening of co-operation between the EU and Ukraine.