In memory of Savva Yamshchikov - French volunteers joined the restorers of the House of Palibin

"You have to do what is easiest for you. But do it with all your might, "Savva Yamshchikov once said in an interview. And he lived, making the purpose of his existence the revival of ancient art. The second house for the restorer was the exhibition hall of the Restoration Institute, located in the Palibin House. Symbolically, on the Day of Memory of Yamshchikov, restoration work began there. They are volunteers.

Under the old paint - a two-century tree. His appearance fascinates four French volunteers. Claire Barkhba works in prison as a social psychologist. Volunteering for her pleasure.

"I have long dreamed of visiting Russia. I wanted not so much to relax, but to change the situation. I happened to find information on the Internet about the organization "Rempar" - it's like the Russian Society for the Preservation of Monuments. And for the first time my vacation passes in useful work ", Claire Barkhba told.

Last year, the French "Rempar", which annually deploys up to 300 campuses around the world, and VOOPIiK concluded an agreement on the exchange of experience.

"We are interested in techniques. Not the methods of restoration, since our restoration school is one of the best in the world. We are interested in the methods of attracting people who are ready to work free of charge, and are interested in working on cultural heritage sites, "Artem Demidov, chairman of the Central Council of VOOPIiK, shared.

The restoration of the Palibin House, a building in 1818 in the style of the Moscow Empire, involves and public organizations. After the fire in 2012, such a typical house was built massively. Now they are almost gone. The mansion was preserved thanks to restorers - here and now the exhibition hall of GosNIIR - and personally to Savva Yamshchikov.

"He was a warrior, a fighter, very few people who so selflessly and so truly defended Russian culture," said the actor, director Artyom Mikhalkov.