The Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aida Balayeva, met with Luigi Oliva, Director of the Central Institute for Restoration of the Italian Ministry of Culture. The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Central Institute for Restoration of the Italian Republic.

According to the document, a Restoration Center will be established on the basis of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The new institution will become the basis for further exchange of experience, joint seminars and training of qualified specialists.

"The creation of an institutional base in this vein is a strategic issue. Kazakh-Italian relations are exemplary. We are witnessing how the leaders of our countries meet, support each other and develop cooperation in all areas - economic, foreign policy, cultural and humanitarian. Cultural interaction plays a special role, because it is culture that helps our peoples to get to know each other better," said Aida Balayeva.

The experience of Italian colleagues, according to the Minister, will have a positive impact on the development of museum work, restoration activities and the preservation of national heritage.

"The creation of a restoration center will only be successful if it employs highly qualified specialists. We would like to be curators in creating a pool of professional personnel who will be engaged in the restoration of artistic, historical and cultural valuables made of metal, stone, fabric, wood and other materials. This is very important, because by creating the National Restoration Center, we are also forming regional centers that will become a platform for training a new generation of specialists. It is also important to take into account the social and charitable aspect of this work. I think it would be wonderful if young people with disabilities were involved in the training program so that they could get a profession as a restorer and realize themselves as sought-after qualified specialists," the Minister suggested.

Luigi Oliva expressed his readiness for cooperation.

"The creation of the National Restoration Center in Kazakhstan is not only a cultural project, but also an opportunity to create new jobs. The Center's activities will cover various areas: restoration of objects made of metal, wood, fabric, stone and other materials. We are ready to participate in the training of Kazakh restorers and introduce the experience of advanced technologies for working with museum exhibits," confirmed Luigi Oliva, Director of the Central Institute for Restoration of the Italian Ministry of Culture.

During the conversation, Aida Balayeva mentioned the successful experience of holding an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's painting "La Bella Principessa" in Astana, which aroused great interest from the Kazakh public. The Minister expressed hope that the Italian side will continue cooperation in this direction, and will support the exposition of other works by Italian painters.

In conclusion, the parties expressed confidence that joint cooperation will bring long-term results and will be an important contribution to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and Italy.