Between October 6 and 30, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan hosted the inaugural restoration mission by French specialists, focusing on the preservation and recovery of historical and artistic artifacts from the renowned Romanov Palace collection. This collaborative effort highlights ongoing international cultural exchanges aimed at safeguarding endangered heritage assets.

During the mission, a team of nine experts from France operated across two main sectors. Specifically, a group of five specialists led by Delphine Hélie-Lefebvre undertook the restoration of seven historical pieces of furniture. Concurrently, a four-member team headed by Patricia Verger-Libail restored four paintings and their corresponding antique frames from the same collection.

The overarching objective of this initiative is to ensure the authenticity and longevity of the Romanov Palace's artistic treasures. However, the broader context of the palace remains fraught with local sensitivity, as the architectural monument has been closed for extensive renovation works since 2021, leading to prolonged public exclusion. *

Controversy previously surrounded the site in May, when a closed fashion show held on the premises sparked sharp criticism from local residents and civic activists. Critics condemned the commercial use of a restricted heritage landmark while it remained inaccessible to the general public. In response, the Culture and Art Development Foundation claimed that the event was restricted to the exterior grounds and did not impact the interior, while promising that the site will eventually reopen as a modern museum space upon completion of the purported renovations.

Source: podrobno.uz