A Special Restoration Department to Be Created as Part of Uzbekistan’s Megaproject

At the latest extended meeting of the Scientific Council of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan — held in an atmosphere of lively debates, critical remarks, and deep analysis — it was announced that a special Restoration Department would be established at the Center.

As part of this important project, Igor Malkiel, Head of Department at the State Hermitage Museum of Russia, presented his report. As noted, it is planned to deliver exhibits related to the history and culture of Uzbekistan currently stored at the Hermitage to the Center, as well as to create a major specialized laboratory there.

“I am pleased to participate in such a responsible mission as enriching the exhibitions of the Center for Islamic Civilization — a megaproject that is the result of a major and extremely important initiative by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Today, this grand initiative is at the center of attention of the global academic community and is sincerely supported by it.

I would like to express my gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the trust placed in us, as well as to the government of Uzbekistan, the leadership, and staff of the Center for Islamic Civilization for their support in our cooperation. Participating in such a large-scale project and living up to the trust placed in us is our main goal, and we are sincerely striving toward it.

It is worth noting that the Hermitage has more than a century of experience in organizing laboratories. I believe it is extremely important for similar opportunities to be developed specifically in Uzbekistan. Previously, restorers were invited from abroad, but having domestic specialists in this field is far more important. We proposed a slight change in the structure of the laboratory because we plan for the Restoration Department to focus primarily on research. Physicists, chemists, climatologists, and microbiologists will work in this laboratory.

At the initial stage, of course, express-analysis equipment will be necessary, since analytical instruments are currently very expensive. However, at later stages, we will be able to transition to more advanced tools. A total of nine laboratories will be created. Among them will be a photo laboratory for documentation and a 3D center with scanning and modeling capabilities. Here, restorers will engage in virtual restoration and reconstruction.

The work will cover almost all materials found in Uzbekistan. In particular: carpets and textiles, books and manuscripts, stone and sculptures, metal and coins, as well as many other items. We have developed a roadmap and submitted our proposals. Further actions will be determined based on the decisions of the Center for Islamic Civilization. Of course, advisory support will be needed. If necessary, the Hermitage can participate both online and offline. This is very important, as many archaeological expeditions are being conducted in Uzbekistan, and we will have the opportunity to restore discovered artifacts directly in this restoration center.          If our project is implemented as proposed, the area of the Restoration Department at the Center will be approximately one thousand square meters,” said Igor Malkiel, Head of Department at the State Hermitage Museum.