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Heritage Museum of Drenova – initial concepts…

Drenova has a dramatic history, especially in the 20th century where we shared the fate of the City of

Rijeka - changes of state, social systems, economic opportunities. At one point Drenova was cut is "in

half", limits where introduced that breached the community and created a trauma whose effects are

visible even today. But over time, slowly but inevitably - there are fewer and fewer living witnesses.

The development of modern society and the globalization processes rapidly devalue, and reset the

historical memories present in small communities. Historical facts are easily lost and the younger

generations and people of Rijeka or Drenova have no perception of how people lived, not before 200 or 1000 years, but not even before 20 or 40 years.

Ancient items and clothing are thrown away, disappearing customs and immigration of new populations

marginalized local dialect that is slowly disappearing from everyday use. We consider it our obligation

that while there are still living witnesses of elapsed time, we have to collect and record their memories, and as much as possible to preserve the cultural heritage and identity of Drenova.

In accordance with the aforementioned MO Drenova initiates the process of creation of Initiative

Committee for the establishment of the Regional Museum of Drenova. The main objective of this project

is the informal education of youth and children through organized information about the history of Drenova that slowly fades.

Our goal is to offer young people and tourists facilities that will satisfy their needs, to awaken curiosity about the history of their own district, and will at the same time be perfect in order to build their own personalities as well as knowledge and skills useful in future work and life

Over past period, numerous activities were carried out to find sources of financing, local and international partners and the opportunity to participate in projects financed from EU funds. But as would later be further discussed it is a necessary precondition for the realization is to evolve as soon as possible a larger number of citizens of different skills that can help in various phases of the project. In particular, it was an opportunity to engage students or the unemployed who can work through the project to gain valuable international experience and possibly secure employment.

As a prerequisite for the sustainability of the museum and its normal functioning is very important that

the museum contents are sufficiently attractive in order to attract enough visitors and sponsors. So let's

look at the facilities that heritage museum of Drenova has to provide:

Permanent exhibits of the museum - the physical ones

The permanent exhibition will be located in the first stage of the project on the first floor of the building and the environment of the local committee Drenova - Cvetkov square 1 and covers a total area of 650 m2 of which 450 m2 of outdoor exhibition space and 200m2 of internal exhibition space.

The interior space is divided into 150 m2 designed for permanent exhibition and 50 m2 designed for lectures, workshops and screenings.

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In subsequent phases we should find on Drenova appropriate facility that would be a permanent solution for museum.

Museum's permanent exhibition - a virtual

The basic idea is to collect all materials from the Drenova area (and beyond) - old objects from everyday life, clothing, paintings, and they digitize / scan preferably with 3D technology to be available in the virtual space.

At the same time project team will collect and digitize audio-visual memories of the past that is disappearing (photos, videos, music recordings, testimony of witnesses and participants of events in

time). This concept allows the museum to present all artifacts not only locally at the museum premises

on the Cvetkov square, but also to wider audience at the web site, which will become available in the same time with museum.

Embryos of how approach to organizing information is visible in the project Drenova on Wikipedia, which was implemented during the 2008/2009 year:

http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drenova

Of course to fill the holdings of the museum it will be especially important collaboration with citizens of Drenova – to find interesting items that they can donate to the museum, or just borrow for the exhibition and digitization.

Workshops (fine arts and forgotten crafts)

Popularization of the workshop organized primarily for adults - parents will be organized twice a year, and their fundamental purpose is to promote awareness of the importance of preserving cultural

heritage and identity. Artifacts resulting from the work shop (in the form of souvenirs) can be a serious

source of financing for the museum

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Exhibitions by local artists

An important function of museum is a constant interaction with local artists on Drenova (amateur and professional photographers, painters and sculptors), because they, by their interest in Drenova are constantly creating new artifacts that are ideal for the holdings of the museum.

Giving space to artists and exhibitions support contributes significantly to the attractiveness of the

museum. It is also possible to partially fund the operation of the Museum by the revenue generated with

selling the original artwork or souvenirs - a great opportunity for small businesses with from our district.

Screenings and Lectures

In the multi-purpose space intended for the lectures it will be executed regularly projections of various educational programs, shows and movies, in accordance with the possibilities of virtual museum and available copyright.

It is planned to make our own educational films. In addition to screenings, we have plans to held a

series of popular lectures by invited trainers from the country and abroad, which will be designed not only for children and young people, but also to the general adult population.

Open Days Museum

Once or twice a year, especially during the World Museum Day, there will be an outdoor museum days, during which the museum will fully open its doors to all interested parties (admission is free these days).

During the open days we will invite special guests, prominent scientists and educators from the country and the world that will give occasional lectures.

Improving tourism of Drenova

To ensure the sustainable operation of the museum it is necessary to include its content in the tourist offer of City of Rijeka and thereby provide additional income - ideally to cover the operating costs of the museum.

It is possible to build "heritage transversal", which could include future Virtual Heritage Museum on Drenova, Martin's mills in the nearby village, visit the old city of Grobnik and end up in Trsat castle.

It is certain that such an offer, if they are adequately presented in Rijeka hotel to guests or passengers in transit, should have audience - especially if they are all done in a dynamic and entertaining way (shorter tours 2-4 hours).

Technologies and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation

An important component of the project is to use the most advanced technology for the digitalization of the exhibits, and it is this idea that appeals to interested partners from abroad primarily Italy and Slovenia.

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There are many smaller museums that cannot display all the items from their respective collections and are interested in cooperation and participation in the project. On the other side introduction of these technologies could resolve other significant issue for small museums - to reduce operating costs.

It is exactly this part of the project that is particularly attractive to our younger citizens and we hope that it will create positive response – as we need multiple experts’ profiles from IT to the historian.

Networking

A key element of the project is its presentation on the Internet and networking with other similar

organizations. Building an attractive and interesting site on which all museum artifacts will be presented

(especially 3D content) and scheduled events should significantly help to attract potential clients.

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At the end, Council of Drenova district hopes that we created interest and that you will respond to this

request for cooperation.

Damir Medved, M. Sc. dmr.medved@gmail.com

http://hr.linkedin.com/pub/damir-medved/0/892/8aa

Skype: dmedved2005

Phone/Fax: +385 51 543 210 Mobile: + 385 99 8864 184

+ 385 91 3667 051 Rijeka, Svetog Jurja 30

HR- 51000 Croatia