Russia: Publication about Dutch fortification in Rostov with memories of local residents

On 19 January, almost 300 people gathered in the historical building of the Rostov A.L. Kekin Gymnasium for a festive presentation of the book ‘Dutch Fortress in Rostov Veliky’ (in Russian), which was published with support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Moscow.

A shared built heritage

The Rostov earthen fortress, built in the seventeenth century by the Dutch engineer Jan Cornelius van Rodenburg, is part of the heritage of Rostov. A project of the NGO 'League of Heritage Guards', headed by Konstantin Shevkoplyas, included the publication of a book full of living history, with memories of Rostov’s inhabitants who lived near the fortress, a historical description, a guide and a map.

The book features a foreword by Jon van Rooijen of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), who has travelled to Rostov eight times in the context of a multiannual project of the RCE. This project was aimed at increasing the awareness about this unique heritage site and finding ways to use the fortification for the social and economic development of the town’s historical centre.

The digital version of the book (in Russian) is made available by the Dutch Embassy in Moscow. To receive it, please send a mail to mos-ocz@minbuza.nl.