 | | Welcome to the first issue of our newsletter!
We are very excited to present our first internal newsletter on the Shared Cultural Heritage (SCH) programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). After all, sharing heritage starts with sharing information, but where to begin? This is our answer: a monthly update on our SCH projects, experts, publications and upcoming events. With every month an expert and a project in the spotlight, showing you what we do and who we are. |
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|  | Rehabilitation Westfort Leper Colony
Within the context of Historical Inner Cities, one of the main themes of our SCH programme, the RCE and the Technical University (TU) Delft supported a workshop on the rehabilitation of the Westfort Leper Colony at the request of the University of Pretoria (UP). In collaboration with 24 students of UP the future perspectives of this site in Pretoria (South Africa) were explored. Erected at the end of the 19th century during the Boer Republic of the Transvaal to accommodate people suffering from leprosy, under supervision of Dutch-born architect S.W. Wierda, Westfort Leper Colony was constructed in a Continental, Dutch architectural tradition.
At a distance from the city centre, the Colony served its function as asylum for affected until the evolving medical science had made it redundant by the end of the 20th century. The area nowadays presents many challenges. The site is inhabited by squatters who live in harsh conditions due to a lack of facilities, like electricity, water and sanitation, and on-going dilapidation. The workshop has provided insights into how these living conditions can be improved by making use of its historical features. UP and TU Delft will continue their cooperation in a second workshop, which is planned for 13 to 23 September 2015.
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| Interior conservation specialist Harrie Schuit (MA) has recently become involved in the SCH programme. In his regular work at the RCE he is involved in the Interiors programme, he advises on conservation issues in the field and he gives lectures at several training institutions. Harrie is committed to putting the subject of interiors on the agenda, and with success, as exemplified by the popular Interior Platform which attracts many interested parties twice a year.
For the SCH programme, Harrie conducted an exploratory mission in South-Africa to identify museological collections and historic interiors relating to shared heritage, their condition, and the needs for support. The mission was also aimed at exchanging knowledge and experience between South African and Dutch experts in museological collections and house museums. With his vast knowledge and passion for interiors, Harrie was able to give advice and instructions on the site about preventive conservation and conservation.
Currently, he is working on a report of the mission which will include his observations and recommendations and can provide a starting point for possible future international cooperation. |  |
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| Workshop Urban revitalisation in Trincomalee: case Fort Frederick
From 21 to 29 September 2015, at the request of the Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka, the RCE and the International Institute for Asian Studies (Leiden, the Netherlands) will give a training on urban revitalisation in Trincomalee (Sri Lanka). The participants will examine the potentials of the 17th century Fort Frederick in a quickly developing city. Involved RCE experts: Frank Strolenberg and Jean-Paul Corten.
Workshop Rehabilitation Westfort (part 2)
The RCE, University of Pretoria and Technical University Delft continue their cooperation in a second workshop on the rehabilitation of the Westfort Leper Colony in Pretoria (South Africa) from 13 to 23 September. The participants will elaborate on the challenges that the site poses. Involved RCE expert: Marieke Kuipers.
Documentation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in Sri Lanka
Locating and identifying shipwrecks and other underwater heritage sites in the North of Sri Lanka (Jaffna Area), to develop and maintain a national GIS (Geographic Information System) database of archaeological heritage in Sri Lanka and to build capacity for maintaining the GIS database. Involved RCE experts: Martijn Manders and Linn Borghuis.
Workshop Integrated heritage-based development of Hooghly Riverfront
This workshop, organised by UNESCO and IHCN (Indian Heritage Cities Network), brings together government authorities, urban planners, heritage experts, and community experts to reflect on the heritage value of Hooghly riverfront (West Bengal, India), and elements that need to be preserved. Participants will explore the possibilities of heritage-based revitalization of the area. Involved RCE experts: Marlijn Baarveld and Paul Meurs. |
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| This newsletter on the Shared Cultural Heritage programme is produced by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. The SCH programme is aimed at knowledge exchange and international cooperation in the context of sustainable conservation and use of shared cultural heritage.
For more information about the Shared Cultural Heritage programme and projects, please visit our website (Dutch and English) and the Cultural Heritage Connections projects database. |
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| Calendar SCH activities and related events |
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| | Presentation by August Choenni on ‘Public and private roles in historical inner city revitalization’ | | at the department meeting of International & Strategic Affairs, RCE | |
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| | Deadline news items for the Shared Cultural Heritage Newsletter coordinated by DutchCulture | |
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| | Round table meetings on the SCH policy for the period 2017-2020 | | organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (17 and 24 September) | |
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