Initial concepts and motivational material

1. Grad Rijeka, MO Drenova
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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2. Grad Rijeka, MO Drenova
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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3. Grad Rijeka, MO Drenova
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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4. Grad Rijeka, MO Drenova
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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5. Grad Rijeka, MO Drenova
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
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