Finding a Balance Between Tradition and Innovation

The 8th International Seminar “Document Restoration: Conservatism and Innovation – 2026” was held at the Russian State Library from 6 to 10 April.

Photo: Maria Govtvan, RSL

The Seminar reaffirmed its international status, bringing together experts from across the Russian Federation and eight other countries — Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The participation of foreign delegations was made possible through the support of the Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund for of the CIS Member States and the Library Assembly of Eurasia.

A total of 382 professionals from more than 200 organisations, including libraries, archives, museums, research and restoration centres attended this event. The Seminar’s broadcasts received over 2,200 views on the RSL’s VK video channel. The programme of the Seminar consisted of theoretical and practical sections. The theoretical track covered issues in document conservation and restoration, the role of scientific research in ensuring document preservation, and the application of new materials and technologies. The practical track featured hands on workshops, exhibitions, and an interactive practicum dedicated to the functioning of the network of Regional Centres for Conservation and Restoration of Library Collections.

At the official opening, a welcome address by Zhanna Alekseyeva, Stats Secretary-Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, was delivered to the audience. She congratulated the organisers and participants: “Our library collections hold countless cultural heritage items and valuable documents that reflect centuries of knowledge, culture and traditions of this country. Rare books are a cultural treasure and require special attention. Our shared task is to preserve these priceless collections for future generations. The experts in our centres are not just saving books – they are preserving history. Every document they restore is a voice from the past, a living link to our common history. I am confident that through their painstaking work they will safeguard this heritage for posterity.” She also highlighted the enormous amount of work carried out by restorers for the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Thanks to their skill, hundreds of wartime posters, newspaper runs, books and personal letters have been preserved. The Deputy Minister stressed that their work is especially significant today, when preserving historical memory is more important than ever.

The opening ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests: Vadim Duda, Director General of the Russian State Library and President of the Russian Library Association and the Library Assembly of Eurasia; Dmitry Antonov, Director of the State Research Institute for Restoration; Mikhail Afanasyev, Director of the State Public Historical Library; Marina Zakharenko, Director General of the M.I. Rudomino All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature; Svetlana Malinina, Head of the Press Service of the CIS Executive Committee; and Elvira Dolya, Deputy Executive Director of the Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund for of the CIS Member States.

A total of 61 papers were presented at the Seminar. The business programme was organised into three thematic tracks covering key areas in document conservation and restoration. These tracks featured a variety of formats: four thematic sessions, two case-study labs, 17 hands-on workshops led by Russian and international colleagues, an expert session, a panel discussion, and an interactive practicum focused on the network of Regional Centres for Conservation and Restoration of Library Collections.

Photo: Maria Govtvan, RSL