INT-09-0003 implemented within Operating Program of Goal 3: European Territorial Cooperation – Cross-Border Cooperation of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern / Brandenburg and the Republic of Poland (West-Pomeranian Voivodeship) 2007–2013
The name of the project
Together We Are Strong – Central Pomeranian Museums Jointly Create Modern Permanent Exhibitions Promoting History and Culture of Pomerania
Leading Partner
The National Museum in Szczecin, ul. Staromłyńska 27, 70-561 Szczecin, Poland
Partner
Pommersches Landesmuseum, Rakower Straße 9, 7489 Greifswald, Germany
Funds
The project has been subsidized by the funds of European Regional Development Fund, within Operating Program of Goal 3: European Territorial Cooperation – Cross-Border Cooperation of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern / Brandenburg and the Republic of Poland (West-Pomeranian Voivodeship) 2007–2013 (INTERREG IV A).
Project budget
609 973,23 € – ERDF subsidy: 518 477,25 €
Leading Partner: 392 761,48 € – ERDF subsidy: 332 478,91 €
Partner: 217 211,75 € – ERDF subsidy: 184 629,99 €
The implementation period
The Project has been implemented in years 2009–2012.
Project general description
Two main museum institutions of Polish and German Pomerania – The National Museum in Szczecin and Pommersches Landesmuseum Greifswald – have been cooperating for many years. The focus of this cooperation used to be temporary exhibitions, scientific conferences, youth education programes and common presence in the Internet (common portal Pomeranian Museums). Presently, the museums have decided to bring the cooperation into a higher level, uniting in the area of permanent exhibitions regarding history and art of the region. The project entitled Together We Are Strong is the first initiative aiming at cooperative creating permanent exhibitions referring to the region. The exhibitions made by both museums complement in a large degree, making the basis of cross-border dialogue. An advantage of the project is the possibility to benefit from particular situation of both museums, that is, complementarity of their collections (having a common genesis) and similar point of interest – history and art of historic and contemporary Pomerania.
The project involves a range of actions aiming at popularization of cultural heritage of Pomerania among the inhabitants of the region. Within its frames, two exhibitions are created: The Golden Age of Pomerania. The Art at the Court of Pomeranian Dukes in 16th and 17th Centuries (Szczecin) and The History of Pomerania of 17th-19th Centuries (Greifswald), as well, as accompanying publications and audioguide systems. The museums have been cooperating within the project by consultation and research support, they also mutually have been taking charge of part of the partner's tasks. The result of the cooperation is also publishing an album, promoting cultural heritage of Pomerania. The implementation of the project creates the possibility to promote the region both in its area, and outside, as the exhibitions in Szczecin and Greifswald present world-renowned precious works of art and refer to the upheaval period of the history of Pomerania, important from the point of view of universal history.
Project objectives
The project Together We Are Strong, implemented by two central Pomeranian museums, has to contribute to the intensification of contacts and cross-border cooperation in the field of culture. One of the most important aims of the project is to increase the level of knowledge of common cultural heritage among the citizens of Pomerania, what should contribute to growth and consolidation of regional identity in cross-border dimension, and, in result, to the process of integration of the borderland. Multilingual presentations and publications help to overcome language barriers, and modern equipment of the museum rooms influence considerable improvement of the condition of infrastructure of the region's most important cultural institutions. Besides, world class of collections on display and of subjects discussed, helps to build the image of Pomerania outside its borders, where, by common reflection on history and common protection of the heritage of the past, basis of cross-border dialogue is being created.
Actions within Polish part of the project
The National Museum in Szczecin's artworks related to Pomeranian dukes are one of the most precious collections of the region, but has vital overregional meaning as well. Unfortunately, due to financial obstacles, these works used to be presented in an outmoded and unattractive exhibition, in cramped rooms not corresponding with today's conservation and exhibition standards. One of the aims of the project is to provide precious artworks of common cultural heritage of Pomerania with proper exhibiting conditions and to make them available to the contemporary visitors in an attractive way.
To ensure the collection's proper exhibiting conditions, a conversion of exhibition infrastructure is implemented. It is adjusted to the exposition of precious relics and meets spohisticated conservation requirements. This involves, among others, replacement of the windows with modern ones, equipped with IR and UV filters, or replacement of lighting with one that meets conservation requirements and is proper for exhibiting objects of varied features. One of the most important investments is a purchase of modern, sophistocated exhibition cases. To ensure proper and safe exhibiting conditions to all the relics, it is also necessary to equip the rooms with humidifiers and humidity and temperature sensors, as well, as to install a system of security devices used in modern museums. The project includes also funds for necessary conservation actions and proper preparation of the objects for display.
The project emphasizes educational and popularization aspects of the exhibitions. Among the most important actions regarding this issue, there is the use of modern means of communication (audioguides, multimedia kiosks). Due to turists' and visitors' high interest in this subject, the audioguidance includes German, Polish but also English tracks. The education programe involves publishing education books for various age groups and games for children.
The project involves creating a variety of publications. They include a guide, and catalogue of the permanent exhibition The Golden Age of Pomerania. The Art at the Court of Pomeranian Dukes in 16th and 17th Centuries and common album action promoting the project, related to the art of Pomerania of 16th - 19th centuries. The aim of these publications is to propagate the culture and history of Pomerania among varied audience on account of popular (the guide, the album) and scientific publishing.
Project managing staff
The general manager of the project is Dr. Rafał Makała from the National Museum in Szczecin. The boss of German part of the project is Dr. Uwe Schroeder, the Director of Pommersches Landesmuseum Greifswald, and the Polish part is led by Monika Frankowska-Makała, the Manager of the Old Art Department of the National Museum in Szczecin.
