On May 27, 2023, on the occasion of Korosten City Day, the regional local history and archeology conference “Wooden castles – from heritage to sustainable development” was held in the city Palace of Culture under the patronage of the Honorary Ambassador of Zhytomyr Oblast Andrii Petrauskas. The event was also attended by representatives of the First International Development Fund of Ukraine and experts of the NGO “Nevrida Center”.
One of the main tasks of the conference was the actualization of the issue of preservation and popularization of the historical heritage of Polissia of Zhytomyr region. Thus, Iryna Pasichnyk-Prokopenko, a specialist in the department of culture and tourism of the Korosten city government, presented the project “Drevlyanski Hradi Ecotourism Route” (Korosten-Malyn-Ovruch-Olevsk). The participants of the conference lively discussed the prospects of its implementation, which will be of great importance for educational activities, first of all, for children and youth.
In addition, during the event, the authors – A.V. Petrauskas, S.A. Khomenko and Tarabukin O.O. presented their book “Wooden Castles”, which contains vivid illustrations made in using the latest technologies. Everyone could buy a copy of the publication complete with a map of the region and souvenir products. NGO “Nevrida Center” purchased a book, the entire proceeds from the sale of which go to finance the project “Polish Body Armor”, which consists in the purchase of body armor for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The famous national archaeologist Leonid Lvovich Zaliznyak, doctor of historical sciences, professor, head of the Department of Archeology of the Stone Age of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Kyiv National University named after In his speech, T. Shevchenko presented the program of archaeological research of Stone Age monuments in the Polish region. The scientist also drew attention to the difficulties faced by Ukrainian archeology due to the ongoing Russian aggression, as well as due to the activities of “black archaeologists”.
The presentation of the public organization Atira Ruthenia fencing club, which is engaged in historical fencing and reconstruction of historical events, was interesting. At the conference, they performed in stylized Drevlyan clothing, demonstrated weapons made according to ancient sketches.
According to the results of the conference, a resolution was adopted, which was unanimously supported by the conference participants.