Dragomirna Monastery restoration project wins EU prize for cultural heritage. Up for Public Choice Award!

A project for the restoration of the 17th century frescoes of the Dragomirna Monastery (Suceava county) is among the 27 projects honored with the 2014 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards announced by the European Commission and by this civic movement.

The 27 laureates, selected from 160 nominated projects across 30 countries, are honored for achievements in four areas: conservation; research; dedicated service; education, training and awareness-raising.

Six of the winners will be named as Grand Prix laureates, receiving €10 000 each, and one will receive the Public Choice Award, chosen in an online poll conducted by Europa Nostra.

The Romanian award-winning project was declared winner in the “Conservation’ category”, alongside 12 other projects, mainly from Italy and Spain.

According to the presentation on the Europa Nostra website, ‘the Dragomirna Monastery is a substantial, almost fortified, structure some 15 km from Suceava city, in northern Romania.’

The restoration works focused on ‘the early 17th century frescoes in the nave and chancel of the church, which portray scenes from the life of Christ, saints, angels and a massive range of Christian iconography, all in wonderful colour, and in a style of remarkable vigour and energy. Yet as the quality and visibility of the murals had become very seriously compromised over the 400 years of their existence, the restoration project – part of a major restoration and conservation programme at the Monastery – had an uphill task. The conservation team comprised 50 professionals and students from various countries, under the leadership of a Romanian expert. A consequence of the work has been a considerable increase in the number of tourists and school groups visiting the site – understandably, because the meaning of these great frescoes is now more clear and visible than at any time since their first creation,’ the presentation reads.

‘The Jury were deeply impressed with the high level of professionalism in the sophisticated restoration and conservation of this enormous artwork, covering some 900 sqm of wall surface. The work was carried out in situ in a remarkably short period of time. The restorers have followed and respected techniques using natural and traditional, but also reversible, materials, while the patina and original 17th century ‘mood’ of these unique frescoes have been preserved,’ reads the Jury’s motivation.

The award ceremony will take place on 5 May at the Burgtheater in Vienna, under the patronage of the President of Austria, Heinz Fischer. Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and Plácido Domingo, the internationally-renowned opera singer and President of Europa Nostra, will jointly present the awards.