M. N. Sitkin
Speech of welcome
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen!
It is a great pleasure for me to express our welcome to the participants and guests of the
International Barents Euro-Arctic Region Conference “Culture. Tourism. Information:
Coordinated Actions for Sustainable Development”.
The Conference theme is seen by all of us as highly urgent. More and more often
the future of our civilization is considered to be connected with the embodiment of the idea of
sustainable development. At different levels the answers to the question how to meet the needs
of present-day generation without “depriving future generations of this possibility” are sought
for. This problem is also vital for the preservation of cultural, historical and natural heritage of
which the Barents Euro-Arctic Region is so rich.
As an example I should mention that there are over 600 architectural monuments on the
territory of the Arkhangelsk Region only, 200 of them are under the federal authority. The
Solovetsky State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, the Maly Karely Wooden
Architecture Museum, the National Historical and Natural Park “Kenozero” are listed as the
world heritage by UNESCO.
The Arkhangelsk North is the forbidden and truly Russian land. The beauty of many Siya
lakes is complemented by the rare monument of the Russian stone architecture of the 16th
century, the Antony of Siya Monastery of the Holy Trinity, which was reopened for the monastic
life in 1992. The main place of interest in the unique river valley of Kurtyayevo is the ancient
Aleksy Church and Chapel as well as a famous mineral “holy” water spring which has attracted
thousands of believers since long ago. Ancient stones, silent keepers of the Solovetsky
Monastery mysteries, soft and full of charm nature cannot but win people’s hearts. Fairy-tale
underground world is found in the carst caves of “Golubinsky Proval” – halls and galleries,
streams and black water lakes, glittering ice crystals.
At all times Arkhangelsk, a beautiful northern city, a starting point for many tourist
routes, has been famous for its hospitality, generously shared the beauty and special character of
the Russian North with its guests. The city of white nights and climatic contrasts is stretching
along the banks of the Northern Dvina which has always been the centre of all the city’s events
and celebrations. Founded in 1584 on the order of Ivan the Terrible as the first sea port to trade
with western countries, as a safeguard on the border of the White Sea lands, Arkhangelsk has
become a large economical, research and cultural centre of the European part of Russia. Its
history is marked by the events that had had a special impact on the whole of the Russian State.
Our city is an ideal place for tourists who are interested in the distinctive architecture and
culture of the Pomor Land. A stately Gostiny Dvor, stone buildings of the Solovetsky, Nikolay
of Karely and Sura Monasteries, city houses and churches preserve the variety of architectural
styles known to Northern architects. Treasures of the Arkhangelsk libraries, museums and
archives, Folk Art ensembles, the Northern Russian Academic Choir, famous all over the world,
have brought fame to the city as a cultural capital of the Pomor Land. Arkhangelsk has long ago
become a centre of international and Russian folk art, theatre and music festivals.
Natural resources and cultural monuments make our Region a territory with a good
potential for developing the in-coming tourism which in turn can make a substantial contribution
to the economy of the Region. With the support of the Committee on International Relations and
Tourism Development of the Arkhangelsk Region Administration a Regional Tourist
Information Centre has been opened, its activity is directed at developing the local in-coming
tourism. The Arkhangelsk Regional Tourism Association which unites the biggest companies
working in tourism and hospitality has been organized. All these are a proof of the fact that
tourism in the Arkhangelsk Region has risen to a higher level of quality services. The tourism
development will assist in having quite new perspectives for the Pomor Land. It will help to
make ecology better, to preserve and develop traditional northern cultures, to create an image of
the Region.
Tourism can become an important resource for preserving and developing cultural heritage
if only it is aimed at it and develops in cooperation with cultural institutions. The Barents Region
cooperation opens new and not yet completely realized possibilities.
Both culture and tourism need high quality information because it can activate both of
these spheres, their influence on each other, their cooperation and integration. Among social
institutions functioning in information field libraries have an important place. They ensure the
access to socially significant information, choosing, evaluating and navigating it. Libraries can
play an important role in creating information resources, too, making them accessible, reliable and
complete, at the same time positively influencing the emotional side of people. The proof is the
activities of many libraries of the Arkhangelsk Region.
I hope the Conference will assist in developing social and economic aspects of our life, in
strengthening ties between people living in the Barents Region, will give a new impulse to
developing tourism and preserving cultural, historical and natural heritage. Let the main ideas
discussed at this outstanding forum get practical application in new joint projects directed to
cooperation development in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region.
Opening this Conference I would like to thank its organizers for all the preparations for it, as
well as all those whose efforts made this important forum possible.
I wish you, dear friends, successful and fruitful work, unforgettable impressions, interesting
and beneficial communication!