 | | Welcome to our first newsletter of 2016! An edition produced with the help of Guest Editor Jacqueline Reeuwijk of the National Archives of the Netherlands. After all, sharing heritage is about sharing needs, expertise and experiences. Since 2009, the National Archives has been a valued cooperation partner in the field of shared heritage.
In this update more on the SCH activities of the RCE. Meet our expert Marlijn Baarveld, read about the restoration of the Maarschalkerweerd organ in Paramaribo and check out the SCH projects, publications and events lined up. The last year of our current SCH programme is in full swing! |
|
|
|
 | | Paramaribo has a unique collection of 'sounding heritage', consisting of bells, tower clocks, historical pipe organs and carillons. This sounding heritage adds an important and vital dimension to the outstanding universal value of the historic city, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In 2014, Stichting Gebouwd Erfgoed Suriname (the organization for monument care in Suriname) and the RCE worked closely together to produce an inventory of Paramaribo’s sounding heritage.
One of these objects is the Maarschalkerweerd organ in the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul. Removed in 2007 from the then dilapidated wooden cathedral, the organ was stored elsewhere in separate parts. Fearing high financial costs, little hope remained for restoring and putting the instrument back in place. Even so, in 2015, the diocese of Suriname requested the advice of RCE’s sounding expert Rudi van Straten. The outcome of the subsequent extensive research was beyond expectation.
After inspecting the loose parts of this organ, it was concluded that instead of outsourcing all restoration work, a joint effort of local experts and a Dutch organ builder would be best. Not only will this build upon local expertise, it will also enhance knowledge exchange and local support. Thus although it will take some time, a Maarschalkerweerd organ recital in Paramaribo’s cathedral is no longer unimaginable. |
|
|
|
 | | Marlijn Baarveld, advisor Heritage and Spatial Development at the RCE, enjoys the multifaceted nature of her daily work. From urban planning to archeology, from domestic projects to world heritage: so many areas of expertise she comes in contact with. At this moment she is involved in a project dealing with the vacancy rate in shopping streets and the potential role of heritage. Her passion and enthusiasm for her work shines through when she comments: “Cultural heritage adds value, not only to a city or region but to our whole society. It creates a positive vibe!”.
Within the SCH Programme of the RCE, Marlijn contributed to the Urban Heritage Strategies training organized in 2014 by the RCE and the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (Erasmus University Rotterdam). During this course, participants from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia and Indonesia developed heritage management action plans for their cities. In 2015, Marlijn and Paul Meurs (SteenhuisMeurs) brought in Dutch expertise and a mapping of the cultural landscape during a seminar on heritage-based urban regeneration of the Hooghly riverfront in Kolkata (West-Bengal, India). The mapping was produced under their guidance by architecture students of the Jadavpur University (Kolkata).
Currently, Marlijn is preparing a follow-up project to the Hooghly riverfront seminar. Stay tuned for more details. |
|
|
|
| |
Modern oral history: Dutch wrecks in South Africa
There are at least 110 Dutch historical shipwrecks in South African waters, dating from 1644 to 1900. The experts have a lot of knowledge on these heritage sites but this is not always accessible for other researchers. Therefore, this project will result in an archive of oral and other records, thus safeguarding vital information about these sites. Involved RCE expert: Thijs Coenen.
Heritage cooperation with Japan
In February, at the invitation of the Kyushu National Museum, the Director and the Shared Cultural Heritage Program Manager of the RCE will visit Japan. Aim of this mission is to identify possibilities for future cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands in the field of heritage management. Involved RCE experts: Cees van ‘t Veen and Jean-Paul Corten.
Shipwreck De Fortuyn
Since 2014, Dutch and Australian archaeologists have been working closely together to find the wreck of VOC ship De Fortuyn. In February and March of this year, the fieldwork will continue on Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands (Australia). Involved RCE experts: Linn Borghuis and Martijn Manders.
Future perspectives in Pretoria?
As part of a conference on urban development issues, the University of Pretoria organizes a workshop on future perspectives for Church Square, Pretoria. South Africa’s most central public space dates back to the times of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, when Dutch architects and town planners were hired to shape the Boer republic into a modern nation. Involved RCE experts: Jean-Paul Corten and Marieke Kuipers.
Cultural Heritage Connections database
The Cultural Heritage Connections database brings together experts, projects, and organizations in the field of international heritage cooperation. From March onwards, descriptions of all SCH projects of the RCE carried out from 2009 until 2016 can be found in this database. Involved RCE experts: Linn Borghuis and Jinna Smit. |
|
|
|
|
| This newsletter on the Shared Cultural Heritage programme of the RCE is produced by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Our SCH programme aims 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. |
|
|
|
| Calendar SCH activities and related events |
|
|
