On October 23, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Researchers from five countries will discuss models of existing systems for the protection of historical and cultural heritage at the scientific and practical conference "Experience of Preserving Historical and Cultural Heritage and Cross-border Cooperation in Cultural Tourism" at the Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov, the university informed a BELTA correspondent. The focus of scientists and specialists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Germany will be on the problems of the effectiveness of current systems for the protection of historical and cultural heritage, the choice of the future fate of architectural monuments – conservation or reconstruction, the so-called "new-build", discussion of the prospects for the development of cultural tourism and strengthening the role of museums in this process. For the first time, the plenary session of the scientific event will be held in the format of a panel discussion, which will feature well-known specialists from Belarus and neighboring countries as experts. Honorary guests of the conference will be Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Alexander Kovalenya and Director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vyacheslav Danilovich. The forum will feature a presentation of the book by the famous Vitebsk local historian Nikolai Pivovar "Museums of Vitebsk". The publication contains information about more than 100 museums in the city and has no analogues in the country. The conference will be held on October 24-25 with the information support of the Central European Initiative. -0-

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