2 August 2006


Paanajärvi in Karelia (Russian Federation)

Medal "For the preservation of the fine wooden architecture of a remote village, the revitalisation of the traditional building techniques and safeguarding of its unique cultural heritage through sustainable income-generating initiatives."

The ceremony for the village of Paanajärvi in Karelia (Russian Federation) was organized by the Juminkeko Foundation from Finland with the participation of Mr. Vladimir Lavrentyev, head of the State Committee of Republic Karelia on Affairs of National Policy, Ms. Galina Toivovna Berun, Minister of Culture, and Professor Vyacheslav Orfinsky, Petrozavodsk University , specialist in wooden architecture. Europa Nostra was represented by its Council Members, Mr Thomas Willoch (Norway) and Mr Markus Bernoulli (Finland), as well as by Mr Tapani Mustonen (Finalnd), Member of the Heritage Awards Jury. The event was enriched by a performance from the Paanajärvi Childrens folklore group and a performance of runic song, boat-racign on the river and folk-dancing. The Ceremony was followed by the Traditional Ilya Day Village Festival, attended by over 200 people, with boating on the river and traditional music, song and dance performances.