The Center will function as an educational, presentational and expo facility.
The new office is headquartered at Krylosov's House – one of the oldest houses in Sviyazhsk. It was a part of Kazan University – as Sviyazhsk District Trade School – in the 19th century. Now, after being reconstructed by the Revival Foundation, the whole building is expected to be transferred to Kazan Federal University.
Director of the Institute of IRHOS (which is the administrative body now heading the Heritage Center) Ramil Khayrutdinov showed the premises to students and educators on January 17th. There are several rooms for different purposes – a Kids’ University classroom, a small assembly hall, Kazan University UNESCO World Heritage Department, and restoration labs for students of Tatarstani universities and trade schools. Ongoing archeological works in Sviyazhsk provide plenty of new material for the restorers. The Sviyazhsk Assumption Cathedral renovation project is also mostly based here.
Director of the KFU History Museum Svetlana Frolova presented an expo room. The collection will include some storage units from the KFU’s main campus, local findings, and – for the most part – works by the currently existing Sviyazhsk Artist Commune.
Dr. Khayrutdinov added, «Also significant is that this opening happens right before the 80th birthday of the Head of the Revival Foundation, First President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev. Thanks to the close cooperation between him and Rector Ilshat Gafurov Kazan University has become a very significant player in the effort to revitalize historical towns of Sviyazhsk and Bolgar. Every step akin to this handover of the Krylosov’s House and its new facilities creates new growth areas for the University».
Prospective KFU enrollees and general tourist population will also be frequent visitors here – everyone will find something to their taste.