Restoration as a cultural project: dynamics of approaches

The paper considers restoration activities in the historical and cultural context. The authors proceed from the position that restoration is not just a set of technical means and methods for strengthening and restoring damaged monuments of culture and art. This, which is especially important, is another reflective way of dealing with cultural heritage, along with history and memory. That is why it seems important to turn to the dynamics of theoretical concepts that define the content and framework of restoration strategies. This perspective allows to understand not only what the attitude towards cultural heritage was at different times but also what values are created and transmitted through preserved and restored artifacts. Having built up the evolution of the key concepts of restoration from the origin of practice to modern scientific restoration, the authors were able to trace how its value symbolic load changed. As a result of long searches and discussions, the idea was formed that the object being restored is a memory carrier, and therefore it is important to find a balance between the «aura of authenticity» (Walter Benjamin) and cultural significance.