
Restoration of the Church of the Holy Mother of God -- Peribleptos in Ohrid through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation 2009-2012 Project Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation Mrs. Donatella Zari, Head of Fresco Paintings Conservators Mrs. Donatella Zari, the head restorer from Italy, explains the first step in cleaning the frescos of the Monastery Complex of the Holy Mother of God "PERIBLEPTOS". She uses a special Japanese paper, sponge, and water to clean the layers of dirt from the frescos. "You can wash the frescos as you would wash a floor, but the water should not touch the colors," Donatella says. "This special paper from Japan absorbs the dirt and does not leave a trace of water on the frescos. However, if there are layers of different kinds of dust or candle spots or other materials on the frescos then, instead of water, we can use chemicals like Ammonium Carbonate to clean the frescos. However, we must always use this kind of paper," explains Donatella. She also points out that her team's work must always be reversible! They use water color that is nearly transparent. Everything that is done to the frescos is less strong than the original so, if need be, it can be taken off. "I prefer to remove my work rather than the original," Donatella says. Mr. Goran Patcev, Architect - NI Museum and Galleries, Ohrid Mr. Goran Patcev's work concentrates on the architectural conservation of this complex project. Goran explains the Church blueprints to <b>...</b>
Ohrid
Mrs. Donatella Zari
usembassy
Macedonia