8 wooden churches in Velyky Berezny district cry for help (PHOTOS)

In Velyky Berezny district, there are 37 sites belonging to cultural heritage – 8 wooden churches, 6 local nature reserves, a natural monument of national importance, natural monuments of local importance, parks, gardens and monuments of local architecture, a geological monument and 13 springs. 
The main problem now is the lack of passports for each of the Cultural Heritage site, the participants of the meeting on the protection of cultural heritage in the region, held at Velyky Berezny District State Administration said.

For example, about 10,000 are required to make passports for each of the wooden churches (for all eight sites – 80,000 UAH). In addition, the sites need restoration, including repair of roofs, walls and foundations.
In general, almost all of the cultural heritage sites of the district belong to the village council or religious community. But today there is a situation when neither religious community nor village council provide at least partial maintenance of sites in good condition.   

There are also problems with maintaining the traditional architectural heritage. Since temples are restored usually by religious communities, works are carried out mostly without the consent of the cultural heritage protection body. Although the Law of Ukraine "On Protection of Cultural Heritage" clearly treats that any repair, restoration or rehabilitation work shall be carried out only subject to the approval of the cultural heritage protection body and the works must involve minimal alterations of the site and ensure its material authenticity.