The culture minister of Russia’s decision to appoint businessman-turned-politician Andrei Nelidov to run the Kizhi State open-air Museum in Karelia in Russia’s north has been met with a public outcry. 200 people protested last month in the regional capital of Petrozavodsk, carrying banners and speeches accusing officials of exploiting the Karelia region.
The overriding belief of protesters is that Nelidov does not have the experience to properly look after the Kizhi State Museum and that his pro-tourism agenda will put the region’s heritage and eco-system at risk.
