| In this latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, we share updates on the international work of the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) of the Netherlands. This issue features news from the International Heritage Cooperation programme, as well as highlights from a range of other international activities. As always, we look forward to your questions and suggestions. |
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| | | | | The English issue of the Magazine of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the
Netherlands (RCE) is now available online. The articles provide an overview of
the RCE, its work and domains. They feature typical Dutch examples,
international heritage cooperation, and research, including articles on a
ceiling painting by Gerard de Lairesse, Roman and British coins found in a
field near Bunnik and a Flemish tapestry dating from the 18th century. | | |
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| | | Egypt, Old Cairo. Image: M. Spier-Donati, UNESCO |
| | How can historic features contribute to the urgent revitalization of my
beloved city? Or inversely, how do I attract developments that provide a future
perspective to the dearly cherished heritage of my city? These strategic
questions are key in this year’s summer course on Urban Heritage Strategies for
African Cities.
The course is open for urban professionals from all over
Africa, be it with a preference to the four African partner countries within
the Dutch Policy Framework on International Cultural Cooperation: South Africa,
Ghana, Morocco and Egypt. The course is offered
in a hybrid form, meaning that part one is conducted online and part two in
person in Rotterdam. | |
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| | | Skyline of the city of Nijmegen. Image: ©IHS |
| | The Urban Heritage Strategies (UHS) Alumni Network was officially launched on 23 January with an engaging online meeting and its first webinar. The network aims to prolong the professional
exchange and warm contacts between the participants of the nine editions of the Course on Urban Heritage Strategies, and the ones to
come. Since its start in 2011 UHS has served some 200 participants, all urban
professionals working in or with historic cities. All are dealing with comparable
challenges and are eager to learn from each other and help or join forces where possible.
Run by alumni and supported by RCE and IHS, the network includes a LinkedIn group and aims to host various online and in-person events on heritage topics, organized by the network’s ambassadors. | |
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| | | | Social Housing Amsterdam. Image: © RCE |
| | The Urban
Heritage Strategies (UHS) Alumni Network launched with its first webinar,
Social Housing and Heritage: Past, Present and Future, addressing one of
today’s most urgent policy challenges: the housing crisis. Speakers Alonso
Ayala, Kees Somer, Yolanda Cool and Jean-Paul Corten explored how heritage
conservation can actively support social housing strategies.
Rather than
prioritising demolition and new construction, the discussion advocated adaptive
reuse and upgrading of historic housing, warehouses and industrial sites.
Emphasising social justice, sustainability and inclusive urban development, the
webinar positioned heritage not merely as protection, but as a strategic and
forward-looking instrument within contemporary housing agendas worldwide. |
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| | | Museum of the City of New York curator William M. Williamson and historian James A. Kelly examine timbers, possibly from the Tyger. Image: Museum of the City of New York |
| | The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and the Museum of the
City of New York launched a joint study of early 17th century shipwreck timbers
discovered in 1916 during subway construction in Manhattan. The remains are
believed to be from De Tyger, a Dutch merchant vessel lost to fire in 1613.
In
the context of New York’s 400th anniversary, RCE specialists traveled to New
York in the beginning of February to analyse the timber’s construction and the
origin and date of the wood through dendrochronology. Further analysis will
have to say more on the identification of the timbers and if they can be
attributed to De Tyger. To be continued! | | |
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| | | Participants of the Tanjungpinang workshop. Image: © RCE |
| | Tanjungpinang is a city located on Bintan Island in Indonesia's Riau
Archipelago. While Penyengat Island is a center of Malay culture, the historic
inner city serves as a hub of cultural diversity. The city's heritage showcases
an impressive blend of Malay, Buginese, Chinese and Dutch influences. In
addition to its impressive urban and cultural landscape, Tanjungpinang also
boasts an equally impressive intangible heritage. A group of students from
various parts of Indonesia, along with lecturers from the city's university,
UMRAH, focused on mapping this intangible heritage. They employed a method
previously developed by the RCE, KIEN, Heritage Hands On, UI, IPB University,
and Trisakti University.
Experts shared insights on topics such as Gurindam 12 (Malay
poetry), old manuscripts, traditional cuisine, Zapin dance, Dragon Boat racing and traditional Chinese medicine. The participants of the workshop identified challenges and
potential, and proposed an action plan for safeguarding Tanjungpinang’s
intangible heritage for future generations. |
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| | | Participants of the risk management training at Sangiran Early Man Museum. Image: © RCE |
| | In February the RCE provided a Risk Management training in
Sangiran, Central Java in Indonesia for 20 heritage professionals from six
museums under the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA). Sangiran, known for its significant Homo Erectus fossil discoveries, is home to several museums showcasing these finds.
The training began in fall 2025 with online sessions. During the training, the cultural value of objects was the starting
point for understanding the vulnerability of these cultural values and exposure
to the ten ‘agents of deterioration’. Participants worked in groups to discuss
and assess the cultural value, susceptibility, and exposure of objects in
storage and on display. This helped them to create a solid foundation for
cost-effective strategies to reduce risks. The training was well-received by
the participants and IHA and will conclude with two more online sessions to
evaluate how risk-based decision-making is being applied in heritage
institutions across Indonesia. |
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| | | | View over the ENCI factory in Maastricht. Image: © RCE |
| | The second session of the international webinar series on cement-industry heritage, explored the cultural and architectural significance of the former
Indarung I plant in Padang, Indonesia and the ENCI factory in Maastricht. The
webinar focused on identifying what makes cement-industry sites unique within
the broader field of (industrial) heritage.
Through expert presentations and extended panel discussions,
participants analyzed spatial characteristics, architectural forms, machinery,
archival sources, and intangible dimensions such as labour and technical
history. The session addressed how heritage value is assessed by comparing the
Southeast Asian and European cases. This highlighted several shared challenges
and transferable solutions.
This webinar series aims to enhance professional understanding and support future redevelopment strategies, heritage mapping, and international cooperation. It builds momentum toward potential practical frameworks for adaptive
reuse and, conserving and revitalizing major cement-industry sites worldwide. |
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| | | | Don’t miss the E-RIHS ERIC webinar to learn more about the 2nd Call for Access – Spring 2026 on Friday, 27th of February at 11:00 am CET.
The E-RIHS ERIC Call for Access gives scholars and professional the chance to request access to the four integrated service platforms of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science:
- MOLAB – In situ, non-invasive analysis using portable equipment
- FIXLAB – Access to large-scale, stationary analytical facilities
- ARCHLAB – Access to curated scientific archives and sample collections
- DIGILAB – Access to digital tools, datasets, and services
E-RIHS ERIC 2nd Call for Access will close March 31st. | | |
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| | | The International Heritage Cooperation programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of
the Netherlands follows from the International Cultural Policy
Framework 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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.jpg?v=20260226112619 "Museum of the City of New York curator William M. Williamson and historian James A. Kelly examine timbers, possibly from the Tyger")
