denkmal Moscow 2011
International Trade Fair of Heritage Preservation, Restoration and Museum Technology
(29 September – 1 October 2011)
Moscow/Leipzig, 1 October 2011
Final report
Successful debut for denkmal Moscow
denkmal Moscow – Russia’s first ever trade show devoted to heritage preservation, restoration and museum technology – was a resounding success. About 2,700 trade visitors from 15 countries attended the fair to see the goods and services displayed by more than 60 exhibitors from 6 countries. The show was hosted in Moscow from 29 September until 1 October 2011 by Leipziger Messe International (LMI) and the Culture & Heritage society.
“It was a successful debut and our expectations were met,” declared Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. “We will continue to endeavor to turn this event into the top meeting place for the entire Russian heritage sector.”
The exhibitors praised in particular the specialist nature of the exhibition and emphasized the fact that visitors had very specific questions and requests. Moreover, in their view the timing of the show was excellent with Moscow now giving a fresh boost to its heritage policy. The city council is currently revising its town planning programs for over 860 districts throughout the city and paying close attention to the preservation of its cultural heritage, earmarking €400 million for a special action plan over the next few years. “We’re doubling our budget for heritage conservation,” announced Sergey Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, at the opening ceremony of denkmal Moscow.
denkmal Moscow was made even more attractive by the addition of seminars, lectures and round table discussions. Prominent experts from Russia,Germany, the Netherlands and Italy debated issues such as the treatment of historical buildings in a modern urban setting. During the round table debate on this subject, the congress forum was filled to capacity. Furthermore, the animated discussions focused on areas such as new technology and the application of innovative materials for restoration as well as modern museum and exhibition display systems. Firms likeRheinzink and Caparol explained their products and reported on the projects they had performed in Russia.
Taking a leaf out of Leipzig’s book, in connection with denkmal Moscow a competition was held for students from all over Russia. Budding architects were invited to submit designs for the conversion of historical buildings to meet modern requirements. The initiative was launched byDrees & Sommer Russia, whose CEOSteffen Sendler once took part in the student competition atdenkmal in Leipzig. The best entries won prizes and were displayed at the exhibition. In the view of jury member Natalia Troskina from theZNRPM Central Scientific and Restoration Workshops, the competition was an important addition to denkmal. Prof. Manfred Gerner, CEO of the German Half-Timbered Towns Association and a member of denkmal Leipzig’sInternational Committee, praised the competition as a source of ideas for Moscow and other Russian towns and cities. Prof. Gerner, an acknowledged heritage expert, described the content and presentation of the entries as being “on an international level”.
At the start of denkmal Moscow, Burkhard Jung (the Mayor of Leipzig) andAndrei Busygin (Russia’s Deputy Minister of Culture) agreed that the Russian Federationwould be the official partner country of denkmal in Leipzigin 2012. Russia as well as the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg have been among the regular exhibitors at denkmal Leipzig ever since Europe’s foremost conservation and restoration exhibition began 17 years ago. “In my view, denkmal Leipzig is world-famous,” stated Andrei Busygin. “It brings together experience from all over the world.” He added that the Ministry of Culture would do everything in its power to support Russia’s participation in the trade show. denkmal will next be held in Leipzigfrom 22–24 November 2012, while the next denkmalMoscow is scheduled for autumn 2013.
Exhibitors’ feedback
Gunter Lorenz, Belo Restaurierungsgeräte (Germany)
“One potential customer actually brought a sample with him to denkmal in order to try out our technology.”
Uwe Reier, CEO of Vitrinen- und Glasbau Reier (Germany)
“The visitors were heritage professionals. The show was excellently geared to trade visitors and suited our foreign strategy.”
Rüdiger Lugert, CEO of Keimfarben (Germany)
“The atmosphere was very upbeat. The show was great for networking. Even Russia’s Deputy Minister of Culture visited our stand. Moreover, our visitors came from not justMoscow but all over Russia. Our reference projects in Russia include the Kremlin wall. All in all, the standard of heritage conservation work here in Russia is very high.”
Steffen Wegener, CEOof Stein Wegener (Germany)
“Our networking was very successful at denkmal. It seems there are hardly any suppliers of natural stone in Russia. That opens up great opportunities for us on the Russian market.”
Dott. Lorenzo Vescovi, Soluzioni per L’Umidita (Italy)
“Demand for advanced technology is high in Russia. In January we’ll be able to test our technology on two churches in Moscow and Yaroslavl.”
Anna Zhukowa, BaltStroy AG(Russia)
“Being a building and restoration firm, we’ve already carried out several important projects, such as at the Kremlin. That’s why it was important for us to be at denkmal. We met many potential clients from other cities and regions. And the show was also very interesting for our subcontractors.”
Grant Hawthorne, ClickNetherfield (UK)
“We’re very pleased and came into contact with clients from places such as St. Petersburg. We’ll be back next time.”
Dr. Martin Pracher, Consolidas Kunst & Kulturgut (Germany)
“The standard of the visitors was excellent, and they came to the exhibition with very specific questions. I met most of the representatives I had been planning to, partly because of our presentation.”
Alexander G. Elfimov, SpezProjektRestavratsia, Ministry of Culture (Russia)
“All in all, the trade show went very well. There’s never been an international exhibition like this in Russia before and our aims were fulfilled. However, I would like to have seen more exhibitors from Russian regions.”
Maria Sennecke, Caparol (Germany/Russia)
“We welcome the fact that denkmal is now being held in Moscow, too, and are very satisfied. The Moscow Manege was an ideal venue for this sort of exhibition. The show was interesting and only drew trade visitors interested in restoration and seeking solutions for historical buildings and churches.”
Vladimir Raitman, Halbe (Germany/Russia)
“I’m absolutely satisfied.The first denkmal Moscow went very well.”
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