«ARCA» will connect eras: Anna Levashova will head the program of the main exhibition about Russia’s heritage

The program director of the International Exhibition on Architecture, Restoration, Culture and Archaeology “ARCA” — one of the most anticipated professional events in the industry in 2026 — has been identified. The development of the business program will be led by Anna Levashova, head of the Bryansk regional branch of the National Committee of ICOMOS, Russia, a recognized expert in the field of real estate, restoration and assessment of investment risks in the construction industry.

The international exhibition “ARCA” will be held on November 18–20, 2026, in Moscow, on the territory of VDNH, in Pavilion “Forum” No. 20 of the VDNH EXPO Convention and Exhibition Center. The project is designed to bring together on one platform representatives of government bodies, the professional and scientific community, architects, restorers, archaeologists, developers, investors, manufacturers of materials and equipment, educational institutions, public organizations, and specialists working with cultural heritage sites — in other words, literally everyone who shapes the image of historical Russia today and will shape it tomorrow.

Anna Levashova’s appointment as program director is a decision that underscores the strategic nature of the exhibition and its focus on a meaningful, honest, and profound dialogue between culture, science, the state, and business. The program management faces an ambitious task: to shape a professional agenda that will not only allow for the discussion of acute and sometimes painful issues within the industry but also present practical, workable solutions capable of shaping the development of Russia’s architectural and restoration sector for years to come.

The focus of the ARCA business program will be on the preservation and modern use of cultural heritage sites, the development of historical territories, the improvement of restoration technologies, personnel training, the introduction of innovative materials, the digitalization of the industry, and the attraction of investment in projects that have both economic, social, and cultural value. Special, and without exaggeration, central, attention will be paid to finding a balance between the careful treatment of heritage and the inevitable need for the development and modernization of cities.
Today, historical architecture is increasingly seen not just as a memorable relic of the past, but as a crucial resource for the future — the foundation of territorial identity, tourist appeal, social life, and the sustainable economy of entire regions. That is precisely why “ARCA” was conceived as a space where the preservation of heritage is discussed in close connection with the most modern challenges of urban planning, development, real estate management, and integrated territorial development.

Anna Levashova’s professional experience is remarkably well‑suited to the interdisciplinary nature of the project. For over 15 years, she has been working at the intersection of development, architectural restoration, and investment consulting, and it is precisely this rare versatility that makes her candidacy exceptional. Her deep understanding of financial models, engineering and construction processes, and the specifics of working with historical real estate allows her to consider each project in a truly comprehensive way — simultaneously from the perspectives of preserving cultural value, technical feasibility, and economic efficiency.
Over the years of her professional career, Anna Levashova has advised private investors, developers, and government agencies, helping to assess the potential and risks of projects in the residential and commercial real estate sectors, including the most sensitive category — cultural heritage sites. Her expert approach is based on a detailed analysis of the initial conditions, an impeccable understanding of regulatory requirements, and a consistent search for solutions that ensure the long‑term sustainability of assets — an approach that is rightfully considered exemplary in the industry today.

A special place in her work is occupied by the restoration of historical buildings and their careful integration into the modern urban environment. Anna Levashova has repeatedly participated in the examination of projects aimed at preserving architectural monuments, paying attention not only to the physical preservation of the objects but also to the search for viable models for their further use.

Anna Levashova also engages in active educational and outreach activities: she gives lectures for investors, architects, and representatives of the professional community, and publishes her own materials on the transformation of the development market, the prospects for real estate investments, and risk management mechanisms in the construction industry. Her professional stance is based on the belief that the development of historical territories requires not only the deepest respect for their authenticity but also an accurate, sober understanding of modern social and economic processes.
As the head of the Bryansk regional branch of the National Committee of ICOMOS, Russia, Anna Levashova is involved in large‑scale work to preserve and promote cultural heritage, develop professional cooperation, and draw attention to the historical and architectural potential of Russian regions. This experience will make it possible to give the “ARCA” programme a broad geographical reach and to present the full variety of tasks that specialists in different constituent entities of the Russian Federation are facing today — from capital metropolises to small historical cities.

“Anna Levashova’s appointment as program director takes the ARKA exhibition to a fundamentally new level of substantive depth and business significance,” the exhibition’s Organizing Committee notes. “This decision reflects our principled stance: a genuine dialogue about the fate of Russia’s architectural and cultural heritage is impossible without experts who are equally confident navigating both the language of numbers, investments, and risks, and the language of culture, history, and restoration ethics.” We are convinced that under the leadership of Anna Levashova, the ARCA business program will become a truly landmark event in the industry’s calendar for 2026.

Under the guidance of the program director, it is planned to develop a multi‑level business program that will bring together strategic discussions, industry sessions, expert roundtables, practical conferences, project presentations, and specialized events. It is intended to invite leading Russian and foreign experts, representatives of relevant government bodies, scientific and educational organizations, restoration companies, architectural bureaus, museums, nature reserves, development structures, and manufacturers of industry solutions to participate.

The programmatic agenda will be built around the most significant challenges facing architecture, restoration, archaeology, and the cultural heritage protection system: preserving the authenticity of historical sites, adapting monuments for modern use, finding effective financial models, developing public‑private partnerships, improving the quality of project documentation and restoration work, implementing digital tools, and creating conditions for transferring professional knowledge to the next generation of specialists.

Special and the most careful attention is expected to be paid to regional practices. Russian cities possess enormous historical and cultural potential, but its full realization requires the joint efforts of government bodies, property owners, investors, architects, restorers, and local communities. The exhibition is intended to convincingly demonstrate that the proper preservation of heritage can become a powerful impetus for the socio‑economic development of territories, the creation of new public spaces, the development of tourism, and the improvement of the quality of the urban environment.

An important feature of “ARCA” will be the combination of a business program with a large‑scale exhibition. Professional discussions will be supported by live demonstrations of technologies, materials, equipment, research methods, and already implemented projects — participants will be able not only to exchange opinions but also to see concrete solutions, establish business contacts, find partners, and identify promising areas for cooperation.

“ARCA” is conceived as an event capable of going far beyond the scope of a traditional industry exhibition. Its mission is to create an authoritative space for bringing together professionals whose decisions directly affect the preservation of cultural memory and the shaping of the architectural image of the future. Architecture, restoration, culture, and archaeology will be presented here as inseparable parts of a single system linking the past, present, and future of Russian cities and territories.

Anna Levashova’s appointment as program director is becoming a crucial stage in the preparation of the exhibition. Her professional competence, many years of experience working with investment and restoration projects, deep knowledge of industry‑specific issues, and active participation in the activities of the NK ICOMOS, Russia, create a solid foundation for developing a comprehensive, relevant, and practically oriented programme.

It is expected that the International Exhibition “ARCA” will become one of the central events of 2026 for the entire professional community working in the fields of architecture, restoration, culture, archaeology, and the development of historical territories. Holding the project at VDNH — a space of exceptional architectural and historical significance — is deeply symbolic and underscores the true scale and public mission of the exhibition.

From November 18 to 20, 2026, Pavilion “Forum” No. 20 at the VDNH EXPO Congress and Exhibition Center will become a meeting place for ideas, competencies, and technologies necessary for preserving heritage and fostering the creative development of the modern environment. Under the leadership of Anna Levashova, the business program of the ARKA exhibition will combine the invaluable experience of the past with the broad opportunities of the present and will form a cohesive professional perspective on the architectural and cultural future of the country.