Zakharova reprimanded UNESCO experts who spoke out against skyscrapers near the Lakhta Center.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova was outraged by the decision of UNESCO experts who called for abandoning the construction of two new skyscrapers In PetersburgShe asked the experts a question in absentia: "How can you not be ashamed?"
From a UNESCO report shouldThe new skyscrapers, Lakhta-2 and Lakhta-3, could threaten St. Petersburg's cultural heritage: the 555- and 703-meter-tall towers will detract from the integrity of St. Petersburg's skyline and the panorama of the Neva and the Gulf of Finland. Experts from an international organization have criticized the towers' construction plans.
Zakharova expressed outrage at this assessment and commented on the existing Lakhta Center tower: the building has already been recognized as an "extraordinary, unique work." She also praised the experts' work.
"Does UNESCO really have nothing better to do? Has all the issues in our country's context already been resolved? What an utter disgrace."“The diplomat said in a conversation with journalists from Radio Sputnik.
Urban preservationists from the Living City community have already explained to Zakharova in an open letterIt was reported that the UNESCO representatives did not come on their own initiative, but were invited by the Russian side. Furthermore, their conclusions concerned the planned towers, not the existing center. It is unknown whether the message reached Zakharova.
For several years, St. Petersburg's urban preservationists opposed construction of the Lakhta Center Okhtinsky Cape — a valuable monument that preserves the history of the place's existence before the construction of St. Petersburg. People also act against new skyscrapers. The existing tower is popularly known as "the corn tower," and the two future skyscrapers are called "spirochetes." All skyscrapers are Gazprom projects, and they were not submitted for public discussion.
What is the value of the Okhtinsky Cape? in the material "NotMoscow".
Video: “Radio Sputnik”
