November 15, 2024: the All-Russian scientific conference "Research and Preservation of Historic Necropoleis" was held on the premises of the Chekhov Memorial Literature Museum and Taganrog Chekhov Teachers College on November 14-15.

The organizers of the conference are the History and Language Department of Taganrog Chekhov Teachers College, Taganrog Group of Museums (TGLIAMZ), the State Archive of Rostov Oblast, and OOO OKN-proyekt. The event is supported by local historian and researcher Yelena Alexeenko.


The conference was divided into four subforums: "Archaeology of Burials," "Burial Heritage and Its Cultural Practices," "Necropolis within City's Bounds: Approaches to Research and Problems of Preservation," and "Military Burials: Formation, Collective Memory, and Problems of Memorialization." In total, 60 experts from Damascus (Syria), Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Republic of Crimea, Krasnodar Krai, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Kursk Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast, Rostov Oblast, Stavropol Krai, and Voronezh Oblast presented their papers on relevant topics; some of the experts participated in the conference in the remote mode.

"The integration of the necropolis, the Old Cemetery, into the public space of the city of Taganrog is very significant. Historically, necropoleis reflect not only who is buried, but also the historical background of that time. That is why here in Taganrog, a lot has been done recently to preserve its history. . . . They [researchers] put their heart and soul, as well as the capital, into preserving this history. We appreciate them for the guide tours and the educational work they do. Today, I wish all the participants of this conference new discoveries and wonderful surprises at the history of Taganrog," said Taganrog City Council President Roman Koryakin at the conference's plenary session.


Not only historians and archaeologists, but also students and other interested citizens took part in the conference. This gives grounds to consider the event a notable success.

Earlier, an extensive inventory at the historic Taganrog Old Cemetery of the monuments possessing historical and artistic value was completed by Taganrog Local Government and volunteers. In November 2021 the first comprehensive illustrated guidebook to the Historic Old Cemetery was published in Taganrog. The first "Research and Preservation of Historic Necropoleis" conference was held in 2022.