Moscow “Uzbekistan”. Restoration of Pavilion No. 66 nearing completion at VDNKh | Moscow
Restorers restored the appearance of 1954 to the monument of Soviet architecture of the XX century.
How the historic building has changed over the years of restoration work could be seen during the press tour of the Information Center of the Government of Moscow.
Lost values
The pavilion was built at one time according to the project of the architect Stefan Polupanov. It was built in the style of the Stalinist Empire style with the motives of the Uzbek national architecture and until the mid-1960s was dedicated to the Uzbek SSR. In 1964, all republican pavilions were transferred to VDNKh for other purposes. Since that time, the pavilion was called “Soviet Culture”. Some artistic and architectural highlights were irretrievably lost, part of the building was badly dilapidated.
Restoration began in 2018. The task was to restore the pavilion in the form in which it was built in 1954. Restorers put in order the facade of the building and the roof. Next to the pavilion, cascading fountains were recreated, with their bowls lined with handmade Uzbek tiles. And of course, the main highlight of the pavilion has been restored – the 25-meter rotunda, which was 70% lost.
Recreated from photo
“At first we were engaged in constructive safety, then we carried out scientific restoration, analyzed photographs, historical drawings, archival materials,” explains chief architect of the project Oleg Shurygin. – The painting was lost, the round fountain in the center of the pavilion was partially destroyed, many decorative elements were lost. Now, if we take a photograph of the last century and compare it with the current appearance of the pavilion, I think we will not find any differences.”
It is assumed that in the summer all work at this facility will be completed.
Secret behind the door
So far, almost everything that is hidden behind massive doors (also repeating the old ones) is a big secret. Photography of interiors is strictly prohibited, but we still managed to scout something.
“The decoration uses carving, elements of stucco decoration, painting in oriental motifs,” said Deputy General Director of VDNKh Alexander Tarasov.
The most remarkable thing about this pavilion is the combination of traditional Uzbek architectural motifs and Soviet symbols. The interior space of the one-story building contains three halls. They will house an art cafe, a museum and an exhibition of paintings dedicated to Uzbekistan. Entrance everywhere will be free.
