The museums of La Ribera have examined the challenges they face during a technical conference organised by the Heritage Department of the Mancomunitat de la Ribera Alta, as part of the institution’s 30th anniversary celebrations, and the Alzira Town Council. With the support of the Interreg Learning Platform project and the participation of six European experts, the event focused primarily on modernisation and digitisation.
The session addressed topics such as modernisation strategies, collaboration between museums, public engagement, economic challenges, tools for reaching new audiences, the digitisation of collections, events, communication and online platforms. The European experts shared their perspectives from different regions of Belgium, Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland and Estonia, and a discussion ensued in which local museums participated to exchange ideas and experiences.
The event was attended by MUMA Alzira (Alzira Municipal Museum), which hosted the session, the Museu Valencià de la Festa (Algemesí), the Valencian Museum of Natural History (Alginet), the Cullera Museum of History and Archaeology, the Espai Joan Fuster (Sueca), the Turís Heritage House Museum and the municipality of Carcaixent (Living Orange Museum, Modernist heritage).
The European experts who have contributed are:
- Jeroen Bryon, Herita (Belgium). An 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, Ostrobothnia (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.
Following the meeting, a document setting out recommendations for the modernisation and digitisation of the museums in La Ribera will be drawn up. The aim is to implement the proposed suggestions and carry out a follow-up to ensure that the museums in La Ribera are equipped to meet contemporary challenges.
