As part of the events marking the 30th anniversary of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta, the Department of Heritage and Alzira Town Council are organising a technical conference on 21 and 22 April to support the modernisation and digitisation of the museums of the Ribera, with the support of the Interreg Learning Platform project and the participation of six European experts from countries including Belgium, Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland and Estonia.
The challenges to be discussed at this meeting include the modernisation and digitisation of museums, the exploration of tools to attract new audiences (young people, international visitors, etc.), economic sustainability and collaboration between institutions, as well as public participation. The digitisation of collections, digital communication strategies to boost the museum’s image, and the integration of digital and physical environments will also be addressed.
Several museums from the Ribera region are taking part in the event. The following have confirmed their participation: MUMA Alzira (Museu Municipal d’Alzira), the Museu Valencià de la Festa (Algemesí), the Museu Valencià d’Història Natural (Alginet), the Museu d’Història i Arqueologia de Cullera, the Espai Joan Fuster (Sueca), the Casa Museu de Patrimoni de Turís and the municipality of Carcaixent (the ‘living museum’ of the Orange, modernist heritage).
The European experts who will present and share their best practices are as follows:
- Jeroen Bryon, Herita (Belgium). Expert in museum modernisation from the visitor’s perspective. Advisor to museums of all sizes on the use of digital tools and hybrid formats.
- Brian Barrett, Galway City Council (Ireland). Head of Culture at Galway City Council, which manages the city museum, with experience in digital programmes and student engagement.
- Diethard Vlaeminck, KOERS Cycling Museum (Belgium), in Roeselare. Expert in digitisation. Furthermore, the museum is located in a city with poor transport links and, to overcome this, has developed a strategy for the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural heritage.
- Senka Ibrisimbegovic, University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Director of the “Ars Aevi” Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo and responsible for the modernisation of the Sarajevo Olympic Museum.
- Linda Lindroos, Centria University of Applied Sciences, Ostrobòtni (Finland). She has developed a practical handbook for museums and contributed to the development of websites, digital communication channels and social media as tools for public engagement.
- Mirjam Krull, Estonian Heritage Board. Coordinator of the “Museum Accelerator”, a key strategic tool for modernising the sector. She is actively involved in the modernisation of museums, their financial sustainability, training and tailored services.
