Translated with AI
From April 6 to 10, 2026, the Russian State Library hosted the 8th International Scientific and Practical Seminar "Document Restoration: Conservatism and Innovation," according to the library's press service.
The event was organized by the Russian State Library, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the Library Assembly of Eurasia, with the support of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States.
The seminar brought together leading experts from around the world working in the field of cultural heritage preservation, including restorers, curators, and staff involved in ensuring the safety of documentary collections.
This seminar has been running since 2016. During this time, a strong tradition of combining theoretical and practical components has developed. As part of the program, experts from restoration centers with significant scientific experience presented participants with modern methods, materials, and equipment used in their professional work.
The program included roundtables and discussions on key industry issues, as well as the exchange of experience and professional interaction with partners from restoration departments of institutions in Russia, the CIS, and abroad.
The practical part of the seminar consisted of original master classes and training sessions organized by Russian and foreign specialists for small groups of participants.
Experts from major libraries and restoration centers in the CIS countries—Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—presented master classes on hand-casting Iranian paper, mulberry paper production, oriental headband weaving, and the creation of "Zarafshan" endpaper. Participants also gave presentations on restoration practices at their institutions and visited the restoration facilities of the Russian State Library.
Representatives of the National Library of Tajikistan, Salima Rajabova, First Deputy Director, and Zokirjon Rabiyev, Head of the Department of Document Restoration and Conservation, participated in the seminar.
Following the seminar, Salima Radzhabova and Zokirjon Rabiyev will conduct refresher courses and a training seminar for National Library staff, presenting best international practices in the preservation and restoration of documentary heritage.
