Preservation Of Historical Heritage Research Articles

Urban Transformation in Old Cities of China: From Heritage Preservation to Urban Renewal

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and the continuous growth of the economy in China, old urban areas face unprecedented challenges. Issues such as urban renewal, preservation of historical heritage, and relocation of residents have become crucial factors constraining sustainable urban development. Addressing these issues not only concerns the appearance and function of cities but also involves the inheritance of social and cultural values and the quality of life for urban residents. This article delves into the current status, challenges, and future directions of the transformation of China's old cities. Research indicates that while there have been some advancements in the revitalization of old cities in recent years, a series of complex and urgent challenges persist. In terms of historical heritage preservation, the main issues include inadequate policy safeguards, insufficient funding, and low societal participation. Urban renewal grapples with conflicts between historical preservation and development needs, balancing costs and benefits, and challenges related to resident relocation and social stability. Looking ahead, it is recommended to strengthen policy and regulations, diversify funding sources, and enhance societal participation. Regarding urban renewal, efforts should be made to strike a balance between preserving historical heritage and meeting development demands, emphasize cost-benefit evaluations, and formulate humane relocation policies. Future development directions encompass enhancing planning and design, promoting participation from social organizations and residents, fostering technological innovation and sustainable development, and strengthening oversight and evaluations.

Reconstruction of vanished cities

The preservation of historical heritage has the potential to act as a means of regenerative design in line with the concept of sustainable architecture. The idea of revitalising monuments is a tool to preserve and restore large green spaces and biodiversity. It is possible to create a multiplicative effect between historical and requested values of the contemporary environment: revival of dervish hotels – “hanakas” for digital nomads, wine taverns for tourists, craft workshops, gardens, art etc. to preserve crafts and natural environment, while participating in climate change mitigation.

Механізми публічного управління розвитку сферою туризму та їх вплив на визнання історичної спадщини

The article is dedicated to the study of the role of public administration mechanisms in tourism development and their impact on historical heritage recognition. The aim of this article is to determine the mechanisms for public administration of tourism development and how this affects the recognition of historical heritage. The article analyses the scientific literature on this issue. The article provides statistical data on damage to historical heritage as a result of Russian aggression. It is noted that today cultural and historical heritage is actively used to organise various types of cognitive tourism. An important component of cultural and historical recreational resources of a particular region is its historical and cultural heritage. According to the authors, historical heritage should be considered in conjunction with cultural and historical heritage, as history and culture are complementary elements. Preserving cultural and historical heritage sites is important for the tourism sector development. In this case, public administration mechanisms of the tourism sector and its impact on the preservation of historical heritage are of great importance.

National football leagues as a source of soft power

ABSTRACT This study seeks to determine if the development of a country’s national football league is significantly correlated with its soft power. Moreover, this research aims to provide a better understanding of the factors that contribute to the cultural soft power of a country besides sporting mega-events and develops a novel soft power managerial perspective. We first estimated the model using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and then applied the General Linear Model (GLM) to enhance the robustness of the analysis. The results suggest that investment in football development can powerfully influence soft power. The league’s cultural heritage and its talented players contribute more than the rest of the variables to increase the soft power score. Institutions and organisations from countries with relatively low soft power could still benefit from investment in football development. Finally, this study highlights the importance of the football industry and its historical heritage preservation as critical elements within a country’s soft power strategy.

Creative Strategies for the Development of Modern Cities: Features, Essence of the Concept and Approaches to their Understanding

Introduction. Creative strategies are strategies for activating the development of urban agglomeration, built on innovative projects, usually with an emphasis on the active development of local culture, the preservation of historical heritage and experience, the development of the uniqueness of the agglomeration, and may also include the ideas of a “smart city”. In agglomerations, creative strategies are implemented according to different scenarios, since urban spaces have different cultural and infrastructural contexts. The purpose of this article is to analyze approaches to understanding creative strategies in urban planning and urban space management; to consider the experience of a number of creative cities of the Russian Federation, including the city of Krasnodar, which will allow developing a number of measures within the framework of creative strategy as the most universal and promising approach to urban creativity. Materials and Methods. The presented research is based on the results of the works of authors studying various aspects and approaches to the development and use of creative strategies within the urban environment, engaged in the search for promising universal strategies that contribute to the development of the potential of the cultural, social, economic sphere of the creative city. Diagnostics of the state of the urban cultural environment, assessment of the creative activity of the largest Russian cities, identification of threats and justification of priorities for the development of the urban creative environment are based on the use of retrospective analysis, comparison, synthesis, analogy, generalization. Results. The features of modern creative strategies based on the concept of new urbanism are identified and analyzed. A comparative characteristic of the indices of creativity of urban spaces is given, the problems of their use are analyzed. The experience of creating and implementing projects of creative urban space of Russian cities is analyzed. A comprehensive analysis of internal and external factors, significant challenges and significant threats to the active development of the creative sphere of the city of Krasnodar has been carried out, which makes it possible to develop a number of measures within the framework of the creative strategy as the most promising approach to urban creativity. Discussion and Conclusion. The study allowed us to identify approaches to understanding creative strategies based on innovative ideas, a creative approach to solving problems with an emphasis on the development of art, local culture, preservation of historical heritage and the uniqueness of urban spaces. The conclusions and suggestions of this study can be used as a universal matrix for the development of activities within the framework of a creative strategy for the development of modern urban space.

Developing Forest Coffe Cultural Tourism and Historical Heritage Megalitic Sites in Social Innovation Governance: How Does it Work in a Sustainable Way?

This article examines the tourism potential of megalithic civilization and forest coffee from a historical and cultural standpoint. Both have new values, as they provide cultural experiences of Indonesian identity, historical heritage preservation, and local cultural practices. The study investigates the issues of collective value system governance and stakeholder participation using qualitative case studies in determining tourist development success. The study's findings revealed that the program's policy difficulty was incremental rather than transformative innovation. Community groups have linked stakeholder cooperation by acting as innovation champion, liaising with administrative and political leadership, adopting reforms, and creating innovation spaces. Both issues are relevant in terms of governance quality. Organizational changes in the public sector are an important aspect of systematic innovation and entrepreneurship. The topic of values, when approached in a civic-minded iterative manner under collaborative governance, can result in several innovative policies that enable responsible and sustainable tourism development.

Modeling Approaches for the Assessment of Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Structures: The E-PUSH Program

The assessment of seismic performance of existing masonry structures is a key aspect for the risk mitigation strategies of existing buildings and preservation of historical heritage. The increasing availability of modelling approaches for the assessment of seismic response of masonry structures calls for the need of verifying their reliability and correct use. In fact, these procedures are very sensitive to modelling hypotheses, so that the results of the assessment could vary in a wide interval depending on the adopted software and on the user’s skill. Aiming at enhancing the classical software packages for the structural analysis of masonry buildings, especially in terms of easiness of use, simplicity of modelling and limited computational demand, the authors developed a reliable and sound push-over program, called E-PUSH, which allows a quick and nearly user-independent assessment of the seismic risk index. In the paper, available commercial codes for the seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings are illustrated and discussed, in comparison with the E-PUSH program, highlighting the differences in terms of modelling assumptions, choice of masonry mechanical parameters and failure criteria, focusing on the impact of the assumptions adopted for the estimation of capacity curves and seismic risk index of a simple benchmark structure. Then, a relevant case study, consisting in the assessment of the “Niccolò Machiavelli” masonry school in Florence, is investigated adopting two different software packages, the original E-PUSH and a commercial one, discussing the sensitivity of the results on the assumptions made by the user in the modelling phase.

Охрана исторической памяти как институт конституционного права: российский и зарубежный опыт

Introduction. Identification and analysis of factors influencing the transformation of the main institutions of constitutional law, the emergence and development of new constitutional and legal institutions are considered to be an urgent problem for the science of constitutional law. One of the dynamically developing institutions of constitutional law is, in our opinion, the protection of historical memory. The article uses formal legal, historical and comparative methods. Their application will allow for a comprehensive study of the constitutionalization of state memorial policy in Russia and abroad. Theoretical analysis. The protection of historical memory is a multi-component constitutional and legal institution that includes at least three levels: creation and consolidation of the state memorial concept (national image of history); preservation of historical heritage; protection of historical memory from encroachments and distortion. The authors study them in more detail, first, by examining constitutional law of foreign states, and, then, by looking at the constitutional law of the Russian Federation. Empirical analysis. The research into constitutional and legal acts of foreign countries makes it possible to identify a steady tendency towards increasing social and political significance of understanding one’s own national history, which contributes to the formation of a constitutional and legal institution for the protection of historical memory in many foreign countries. Legislation aimed at protecting historical memory was gradually being formed in Russia, including both measures of positive legal regulation and prohibitions on publicly challenging historical facts related to the Second World War. The task of developing a unified political and legal concept of the national image of history and its constitutional and legal legalization turned out to be more difficult. Results. The establishment of the state memorial concept at the constitutional level is aimed at solving the tasks of determining the axiological foundations of development of society, formation of national identity, preservation of cultural identity and spiritual and informational sovereignty. The high social significance of regulated public relations, their relative isolation and internal structural unity give reason to conclude that a new constitutional and legal institution for the protection of historical memory is being formed. This process is typical of both Russia and foreign countries. The controversial issues of the formation of this institution are related to its relationship with the already established principles and institutions of constitutional law.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ СОЦИАЛЬНО-КУЛЬТУРНОЙ ЖИЗНИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В МОНОГОРОДАХ

The qualitative certainty of a mono-town, its distinctive and peculiar socio-economic environment, differs significantly from other cities and settlements, emphasizing the specific features of urban society inherent only to them. The reasons for the appearance of mono-towns on the territory of Russia are different, for example, industrial mono-towns appeared during the development of the Urals and Siberia, and are related to the geographical features of the location and natural resources (minerals) of the territories, what was subsequently taken into account for the development of the national economy, but without regard to the social infrastructure and characteristics of the population of those territories. The collapse of the USSR marked the beginning of a reduction in the number of mono-towns on the territory of Russia, dividing those territories into zones depending on their socio-economic situation: dynamically developing, with risks of deterioration and critical (complex). At the same time, the challenges of all single-industry mono-towns are the same – they are production, technological, and social issues. The continued existence and development of mono-towns comes to the fore, influencing the level of well-being and quality of life of the population. The state’s policy in the field of cultural development and preservation of historical heritage, including mono-towns, is aimed, among other things, at strengthening civic identity, continuity of generations, strengthening traditions and customs, accessibility, as defined in Article 44 of the Constitution of Russia (paragraphs 1–3). It defines the accessibility of cultural values and goods, necessary knowledge in the field of education and information support.

ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ КИТАЙСЬКИХ ТУРИСТІВ ЯК ПРІОРИТЕТНИЙ НАПРЯМОК ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ ТУРИСТИЧНОЇ ГАЛУЗІ УКРАЇНИ

International tourism is a major driver of the contemporary global economy. Despite the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, tourism will undoubtedly continue to contribute a significant part of the world’s GDP and will remain a principal industry for numerous nations across the globe. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the largest tourist market and the primary source of outbound tourism. Despite the devastating effect of the pandemic, the PRC is considered to be instrumental to the recovery of the global tourism industry. It is projected that the countries that will be first to attract Chinese tourists after the removal of travel restrictions will gain a significant boost in the development of their national tourism. The purpose of the article is to study the current state of inbound tourism from China to Ukraine; identify promising areas suitable to attract Chinese tourists; develop recommendations for creating a tourism product that will be tailored specifically to match the preferences of the citizens of the PRC. In the article cooperation between Ukraine and the PRC in the field of international tourism is analyzed; the main factors influencing the flow of Chinese tourists arriving in Ukraine are identified; the connection between the growing number of tourists from China and visa liberalization is established; the preferences and expenses of Chinese tourists were studied. Using the obtained data author proposed ways to attract Chinese tourists to Ukraine in such areas of tourism as ecotourism, recreational tourism, historical tourism, film tourism, and dark tourism. The author concludes that the growth of inbound tourism from the PRC will provide opportunities to the citizens of Ukraine, including the creation of new jobs, strengthening social protection of the population of depressed regions, restoration of infrastructure, and preservation of historical heritage. To exploit these opportunities, the Ukrainian tourism business must develop an innovative approach to attract Chinese tourists. At the same time, a national strategy should be developed, to address problems that cannot be effectively solved by the private sector, specifically, language support.

Государственная национальная политика и молодежные объединения на Юге России

The article analyzes the activities of youth public associations as subjects of national policy in Russia, which is a new research direction carried out at the junction of two subject areas of scientific knowledge – ethnopolitology and ethnosociology. The strategy of the state national policy of Russia, as a priority task, formulated the activation of the participation of public organizations in the development and regulation of interethnic relations. However, civil organizations themselves show insufficient activity in the implementation of this task. The authors present the results of their own survey of the youth of the Rostov Region, Krasnodar Region and the Republic of Crimea, within the framework of the project "Youth public associations in the implementation of priority areas of state national policy in the South of Russia". According to results of the survey, it was found that the student youth is the most active in the activities of youth public associations, which, in addition to implementing state policy, initiates its own projects in the areas most interesting to it, in particular, the preservation of historical heritage, mediation in interethnic conflicts and charitable activities. Register of youth public organizations has been compiled that include the implementation of the State national policy in their charters. Diagnostics of the activity of youth public associations of three subjects of the Southern Russian region: Rostov region, Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Crimea, participating in the implementation of the national policy of Russia; an assessment of their social effectiveness in this area was carried out. In-depth interviewing of leaders of youth associations and subjects of national policy implementation, representatives of state and municipal structures was conducted.

Digital Placemaking for Urban Regeneration: Identification of Historic Heritage Values in Taiwan and the Baltic States

The active use of modern technology has affected the relationship between people and place. The “digital environment” and the “digital community” are becoming an increasingly important factor in people’s daily life, leading to a loss of belonging to a place, an entire neighbourhood, and a community. In the long run, this poses risks to the unification of values and the loss of identity. In this context, the involvement of the local community in the identification and preservation of historical heritage and defining the specific values of each site is particularly important. Thus, both the attraction of the local community to specific places and the revealed potential of local tourism are promoted. Digital placemaking enters urban regeneration as a logical approach to mixing digital and physical environments and involving the local community. Several GIS-based platforms and other tools are used to identify heritage values, both tangible and intangible. Although digital placemaking is emerging worldwide, its manifestations are closely related to specific local circumstances. The article focuses on the key characteristics and configurations of the digital placemaking tools within particular communities. The study tests digital placemaking practice in the historical districts of three cities: Taipei (Taiwan), Riga (Latvia), and Kaunas (Lithuania).

Goals, obstacles and focus of heritage preservation activists in Ukrainian cities

Preservation of historic heritage is a prevalent question in urban social movements in Ukraine. This article focuses on heritage preservation activists’ experiences, including both movements to preserve specific historic sites and monuments, and movements against destruction of the historic environment more generally. We begin by conceptualizing key concepts of heritage preservation movement and offering a background of heritage preservation in a post-soviet setting. This overview is followed by a summary of research findings based on eleven semi-structured interviews with heritage protection activists in major Ukrainian cities. Their activity can be classified firstly based on the strategy of impact (top-down or bottomup); secondly, on the type of historic monuments that they want to preserve (classical architecture, modern (Soviet) architecture and small architectural forms); thirdly, on the territorial scale of their activity (local, municipal or regional); and finally, on their activities (cultural and artistic, political, media and awarenessraising, community-building, etc.).Challenges, identified by activists in their work, were classified as external (related to structural and contextual difficulties), and internal (individual challenges and group dynamics, related to lack of time, resources and institutional knowledge). More generally, the heritage preservation movement in Ukraine is identified by activists as fragmented, reactive, and marked by high institutionalization of grassroots activities and their cooptation. Activists are reflexive of their role in historic preservation and present themselves as the voice of the general public. They identify their impact as creating public resonance, a wide network of passive allies, institutional (as well as internal management) experience for activist initiatives. At the same time, however, they have little faith in the possibility of achieving broader strategic goals. Thus, despite their impact and efficiency in defending specific historic sites, activists are unable to preserve historic heritage in Ukrainian cities on their own. Potential future research includes conducting interviews not only with activists of large cities, but also of smaller towns, as well as using a multi-method approach and supplementing interviews with content-analysis of activists’ public statements, as well as taking into consideration the voices of other interested agents in the heritage preservation movement.

Construction of the Aleksandro-Nevsky Temple in Irkutsk, as aspect of spiritual safety of the region, through broadcast of historical memory in architectural forms

In article questions of continuity of architectural styles and continuation of traditions in approaches to construction of Temples in the territory of the Pribaykalsky Region of the Russian Federation on the example of the Temple to the Saint Blessed prince Alexander Nevsky in Irkutsk are considered. Need of preservation and transfer of universal values, traditions, historical events, myths and legends it became significant for people as for community, the nation, the people at the end of XX – the beginning of the XXI centuries. The decree of the president of the Russian Federation in 2009 accepted the document which is called «About Strategy of national security of the Russian Federation till 2020». The document mentions a number of aspects of life of society, including: confessional consent; investments into the human capital; preservation of cultural and spiritual heritage; spiritual safety, preservation of historical heritage, etc.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES IMPOSED ON OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF LISTED HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

The worldwide concern regarding sustainable urban development has been increasing as the populations of countries increase and demand more consumption of the already scarce natural resources. According to the United Nations, it is estimated that 55% of the world population lives in urban centers, with the perspective of surpassing 68% in 2050. In Brazil, 84% of the population today live in the cities. One of the goals of sustainable development is to make cities more sustainable and inclusive and, to accomplish such goal, many variables need to be accomplished, among which is the strengthening of efforts to protect and safeguard cities’ cultural heritage, for the present and future generations. Seeing as São Paulo is the 10th urban city in the world, and its historical heritage preservation policies are recent and in the process of being outlined, this research strives to answer: What are the main challenges identified by owners/managers of listed historical buildings in São Paulo, which stand in the way of conserving/preserving their properties? Results revealed that the main challenges are a lack of knowledge about what interventions can be done to the property, lack of knowledge on incentive laws and more feasible ways for the conservation of historical sites and dealing with excessive bureaucracy. Such results contribute to the implementation of urban development policies focused on the sustainable goal of safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage, in order to propitiate advancements in preserving the memory and identity of the city through the conservation of properties listed as historical heritage.

Tourist Destinations of the Industrial Era (on the Example of the Development of the P.I. Tсhaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine and Academician Oleg Tymoshenko’s Management)

The research concerns some tendencies of both cultural tourism development and tourist destinations in the industrial epoch. The author proves the relevance to involve a new concept of cultural tourism and tourist destinations on the example of the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music of Ukraine and its development in the second half of the 20th – early 21st centuries under the leadership of Academician Оleg Tymoshenko. This investigation examines specialized forms of tourism, one of which is creative tourism. It is determined that the study of current issues within cultural tourism in tourist destinations requires the use of an interdisciplinary approach, which acquires clear features when choosing the subject to consider. It is revealed that the problems of interaction between culture and tourism, cultural trajectories of modern tourism serve as a structure for the analysis of identity and multiculturalism. It is proved that socio-cultural practices of modern tourism, developing in the context of global processes, provided an opportunity to systematically analyze and identify ways of positive practical implementation of cultural tourism and tourist destinations. One of the popular approaches to improving the quality of life of urban residents is creative urban development strategies that use certain innovative ideas, a creative approach to solving problems with an emphasis on the development of art, culture, preservation of historical heritage and uniqueness of the city. The industrial heritage of urban regions, which has shaped the cultural space of cities for a long time and is a growing segment of the tourism industry, is considered by many researchers as a resource for the development of creative experience. Tourism development and cultural regeneration are becoming part of the citywide restoration and it is no coincidence that the object can be considered one of the first symbolic objects of the transition from the old industrial to the new post-industrial stage of urban development.

The phenomenon of the 100-year Professor Stepan Stoyko – a famous Ukrainian environmental preservationist

An article describes the multifaceted practice of the professor, doctor of biological sciences Stepan Stoyko who celebrated 100 years on the 14th of March 2020. Professor continues his work on Ukrainian environmental, ethnographic, cultural and historical heritage preservation. The scientific work of Professor Stepan Stoyko covers many areas: the preservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, culture, and historical heritage, forest ecology, floristics, the biology of wood species, forest terminology, conservation of virgin forests, the history of science, geosozology, harmonisation of the relationship between society and nature, rationalisation of the nature management. This research became the basement for a list of active measures in the field of rationalisation of the renovation and conservation of the natural resources in the Carpathian Mountains. Professor Stoyko became a famous pedagogue in Ukraine and beyond borders. Stepan Mykhailovych is fluent in seven foreign languages. Under the professor's supervision, 13 postgraduates prepared and defended their dissertations in biology, geography, forest crops. Three of them became doctors of science. In 70-s years of the XX century professor Stoyko, for the first time, among universities in the Western region of Ukraine, began to teach an academic course “Nature preservation” for students of geography faculty at Ivan Franko Lviv National University. Stepan Stoyko has played an important role in the preservation of the unique ecosystems of the Western region of Ukraine. Professor Stoyko personally was engaged in the justification of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, Nature Reserve of “Roztochchia”, Carpathians National Park, Shatsk National Park, Uzhanskyi National Park, Synevyr National Park, Yavorivskyi National Park, National Park of “Skolivski Beskydy”, regional landscape parks of “Nadsianskyi” and “Ravske Roztochchia” and many smaller natural reserves. Thanks to the efforts of the Professor the transborder biosphere reserves of “Eastern Carpathians”, “Roztochchia”, “Western Polissia” were created. Professor Stoyko justified the need for preserving nature and developing the historical landscape reserves within the areas where, important for Ukraine, historical events happened. Including the ethnographical reserves in Hutsul region, Boyko region and Lemko region. Professor Stoyko believes that the philosophy of each intelligent person is to create kindness for your nation. He considers that the intelligent person has to raise the Ukrainian national consciousness. And he posits the day of the proclamation of Ukrainian independence as the brightest in his life. Until now, professor Stoyko is actively publishing his scientific works in different publications, writes monographs, consults the young scientists and lectors, participates in scientific conferences and writes articles in the media. Key words: nature protection, ethnocultural heritage preservation, geosozology, nature conservation.

Programas federais de preservação ao patrimônio histórico em Pelotas/RS.

Há uma gama de projetos, ações e programas federais de preservação relevantes na história da preservação do patrimônio brasileiro, uma vez que possibilitam maior visibilidade, principalmente, por serem políticas de requalificação, na busca de melhorias das condições econômicas, culturais e sociais. O presente artigo buscou descrever a atuação de programas federais de preservação ao patrimônio histórico em Pelotas/RS, a saber: o Programa Monumenta e o PAC Cidades Históricas. Ambos atuaram na preservação e restauração de imóveis públicos e privados, na elaboração de projetos e ações voltadas à preservação do patrimônio histórico e cultural.

The Impact of Climate Change on Material Degradation Criteria in Heritage over Iran: Regional Climate Model Evaluation

Understanding how climate change accelerates or slows down the process of material deterioration is the first step towards assessing adaptive approaches for the preservation of historical heritage. Analysis of the climate change effects on the degradation risk assessment parameters like salt crystallization cycles is of crucial importance when considering mitigating actions. Due to the vulnerability of cultural heritage in Iran to climate change, the impact of this phenomenon on basic parameters plus variables more critical to building damage like salt crystallization index needs to be analyzed. Regional climate modelling projections can be used to asses the impact of climate change effects on heritage. The output of two different regional climate models, the ALARO-0 model (Ghent University-RMI, Belgium) and the REMO model (HZG-GERICS, Germany), is analyzed to find out which model is more adapted to the region. So the focus of this research is mainly on the evaluation to determine the reliability of both models over the region. For model validation, a comparison between model data and observations was performed in 4 different climate zones for 30 years to find out how reliable these models are in the field of building pathology.

A cultural heritage for national liberation? The Soviet-Somali historical expedition, Soviet African studies, and the Cold War in the Horn of Africa

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the conception, execution, and outcomes of the first Soviet-Somali histori-cal expedition, in 1971. In due course, the Soviet-Somali Expedition set out to create a ‘usable past’ for Somali nationalism, rooted in the history of Mohammad Abdullah Hassan, a reli-gious and military leader who had fought against the British in Somaliland between 1900 and 1920. The paper investigates how Soviet ideas about the preservation of historical heritage were grounded in Central Asian modes of practice and how these became internalised by Soviet Africanists in their attempts to help reinforce foundational myths in newly independent African states. The paper argues that the Soviet model for the preservation of cultural heritage, as envisioned by Soviet Africanists, aimed to reinforce Siad Barre’s national project for Somalia. Their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, however, because of Cold War constraints and mis-understandings of local realities.