SAVE THE HISTORY! 'Tom Sawyer Fest' movement

Have you ever heard about a boy named Tom Sawyer whose aunt Polly asked him to paint her fence? Being a lazy but very smart kid, Tom started to paint so hard and passionately that everyone around begged him to let them paint it too, and the work was done much faster. That's how the hero of Mark Twain's most book gave his name to the festival of the restoration of cultural and historical habitat "Tom Sawyer Fest". This voluntary movement brings together enthusiastic people in different cities of Russia in an effort to restore wooden buildings that lack the official status of cultural heritage object, but mean a lot to the citizens and their history. That helps the local community to believe that with their own hands they can make the city a more beautiful place to live in and save what is really important to them. The festival began in 2015 in Samara, and by 2019 had involved 50 cities and towns in different parts of Russia. A UNESCO Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development highlighted Tom Sawyer Fest as an example of successful urban and social initiative with high resident engagement. All restoration and reconstruction activities are carried out by volunteers only with help from sponsors and fundraising. Come and join the movement!