Models of Kizhi wood churches to be mabe in Germany

A delegation from Neubranderburg (Germany), the twin-city of Petrozavodsk (the capital of Karelia, Russia's north), advanced an interesting proposal to the Karelian authorities. The Germans offered to make models of monuments of Russian wood architecture - the churches of the cemetery in the Kizhi island (a museum of folk wood architecture and ethnography of the 18-19th centuries is situated in the island in the Onega Lake) and to place them in Neubrandenburg park as a symbol of twin ties.

The German delegation visited Petrozavodsk in connection with the City Day celebrations. Petrozavodsk and Neubranderburg are maintaining friendly relations for some 20 years. The delegation included representatives of the municipal parliament, who visited Russia for the first time. They were greatly impressed by the beauty and originality of Kizhi churches and it occurred to them to make copies.

The proposal is informal, but it will be realised, because it has found response. The museum of models is expected to open in Neubranderburg in the end of 2003. It will be timed to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Petrozavodsk.