Dear reader,

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter! Read about recent news and developments of the International Heritage Cooperation programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed | RCE).

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please let us know.

Happy readings!
 
 

Updates on current collaborations

 
 
The participants of Sharing Stories on Contested Histories
The participants of Sharing Stories on Contested Histories edition 2024 in the Lichthal of Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. Image: RCE

Reminder: Sharing Stories on Contested Histories edition 2025

The deadline to apply is 26 May 2025

How are we - museum professionals around the world - dealing with colonial collections? How do we critically engage with the museum’s own histories and reflect on their role in society in the face of these challenges? How can we handle collections created and collected during colonial times in more caring and ethical ways? How do we navigate and react to contestations over certain histories and heritage?

This knowledge exchange programme brings together a group of young professionals from around the world working in museums or collection-managing organisations to reflect on these questions and to exchange knowledge and experiences regarding their working practices.

The programme will accept a maximum of 20 participants. To apply for the training, candidates are invited to apply via our website. You will be asked to submit a motivation letter and a short biography by 26 May.
Apply now
 
Dutch Shipwrecks cover
Dutch Shipwrecks in South Africa. Image: ©SAHRA/RCE

Must Read: Dutch Shipwrecks in South Africa

Sites, Stories, and Archives

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), in cooperation with its counterpart, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), is excited to announce the finalisation of its publication, titled “Dutch Shipwrecks in South Africa: Sites, Stories, and Archives.”

This book is the final output of a joint project which sought to record the oral history of 20th Century salvage of Dutch historical shipwrecks in South Africa. The latter half of that century saw numerous salvage operations involving removal of valuable artefacts from Dutch wrecks to sell for profit. Due to the lack of comprehensive oversight at the time, much of this activity went unrecorded, leaving important historical knowledge lost or scattered. The aim of this project was to gather and preserve this information – much of which existed only in the memories of divers and in their personal notes, sketches, and photos – before it was lost forever.
Read more
 
Working visit to the Jodensavanne
Image: © RCE

Working visit to the Jodensavanne and other built and archaeological heritage in Suriname

In March this year the Cultural Heritage Agency visited Suriname. This was at the request of the Jodensavanne Foundation and the Built Heritage Foundation Suriname (SGES). The purpose of the visit was twofold. Archaeological research has been ongoing at the Jodensavanne World Heritage Site for some years now.

In the process, the foundations of several buildings have been excavated and documented. The most recent research involves the excavation of a cookhouse. The excavated wallwork and brick is very fragile and the question was how best to document this masonry, preserve it permanently and possibly also partially reconstruct it. In addition, the general structural condition, and specifically that of brick, of the various historical buildings and their archaeological remains within Paramaribo and the Commewijne area, was also examined.

The result of the reconnaissance mission is presented in a report with advice for follow-up actions that specifically includes the contribution that the Cultural Heritage Agency and possibly other parties could make to this.
   

Other news

 
 
Cultural routes raad van europa ps
Image: © Council of Europe

The Netherlands joins the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

On 6 May 2025, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Eppo Bruins, signed the letter of accession with which the Netherlands has officially joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) of the Cultural Routes (ECR) heritage programme of the Council of Europe. After a year with the Observer status, this marks the beginning of an active role within the European network that connects culture and heritage tourism across borders.

The Cultural Routes programme was established in 1987 by the Council of Europe as a model for managing culture and tourism across borders. The Cultural Routes allow people to discover Europe’s rich and diverse heritage in a variety of ways and include to several themes: from architecture and landscape to religious influences, from gastronomy and intangible heritage to the most important contributors to European art, music and literature. These themes connected to the routes represent the values of the Council of Europe: human rights, cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and mutual exchanges across borders.
 
Almere NewBelgrade
Image: © Lidwine Spoormans and Ivona Despotovic

Faro: Call for collaboration on heritage participation

Throughout Europe, post-WWII housing neighbourhoods feature large-scale residential areas designed for the rapidly growing middle class. These neighbourhoods are now on the brink of major renovations. To investigate the significance of this ‘everyday’ heritage in the Netherlands, TU Delft developed the WijkWijzer. A digital tool for heritage participation, recently implemented in six everyday residential neighbourhoods built in the 1970s and 80s. TU Delft now aims to compare this approach with similar initiatives in other European countries. How is heritage participation organised? Who participates - and who does not? And which heritage attributes appear to be valued?

Are you involved in a similar project focusing on heritage participation in post-war housing estates in Europe? TU Delft seeks initiatives that reveal the heritage values of everyday living environments - through resident participation, storytelling, digital tools, co-creation, or co-valuation. These projects can have a scientific or societal angle, can be large or small scale, and can be ongoing or already completed.
Read the article (Dutch)
 
Read more
   

Information

The International Heritage Cooperation programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands follows from the International Cultural Policy Framework 2021-2024 of the Dutch government. Other organisations executing the national International Heritage Cooperation programme are DutchCulture, the National Archives of the Netherlands, KIEN and the Embassies of the Netherlands in the partner countries. For more information on their activities, see their respective websites.
 
 
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