Moscow Kremlin – an office or a museum?

Nowadays, the Moscow Kremlin is the residence of the Russian government, but at the same time, almost every building in it is a unique historic monument in itself. Some of the buildings are open for visitors. There are also several museums located in the Kremlin grounds.

These two functions of Moscow’s Kremlin sometimes come into conflict. Currently, some people, including government officials themselves, argue that the government should probably move from the Kremlin to another location.

Since the summer of 2010, the so-called “14th block”, a large administrative office building in the Kremlin grouns, has been undergoing capital repairs. Will government officials return to this building once it’s been renovated or will they prefer moving to a more modern block which would be better equipped to meet the demands of today?

The Head of the Russian President’s Press Service Victor Khrekov says:

“”Block 14” was built in the 1930s and had never undergone capital repair since then. It is a rather complex structure. Besides, the renovators’ task is complicated even further by the fact the block needs to be rebuilt to meet today’s requirements for an office building.”

However, even if government officials return to “Block 14”, this probably won’t be for long. Some time ago, it was decided to move a number of government departments, including the President’s office, from Moscow’s center to various locations in Moscow’s suburbs.

If this happens, the Kremlin would turn into nothing more than a complex of historic monuments and museums, which, according to some, would probably be only for the best. This idea is supported, in particular, by the Russian Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeev and by the Director of the Kremlin’s Museums Elena Gagarina.

“At present, Kremlin museums badly need new facilities,” Ms. Gagarina says. “In particular, we need a broader depository. I believe that the offices and anything else that doesn’t have to do with museums should move out of the Kremlin.”

Well-known organizer of museums and galleries Marat Gelman believes that the entire Kremlin grounds should be turned into a museum.

“The Kremlin is a historic place,” he says. “For it to be really historic, it should become a museum of history.”

Mr. Gelman’s idea is shared by many people – for example, the coordinator of the movement “Arkhitekturny Nadzor” (the Russian for “architectural design supervision”) Konstantin Mikhaylov, who is also a member of the Russian Public Chamber. Mr. Mikhailov is even suggesting to open a museum in the government’s offices if it moves out.

Well, the Kremlin could be turned into a museum, but this needs to be approached very carefully. At present, all of the historic monuments of the Moscow Kremlin are in a perfect condition, and they must be preserved in this condition for many centuries to come.