The Best in Heritage 2016
Projects of Influence
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The 15th edition of the event took place in Dubrovnik 22-24 September and gathered a wide scope of heritage professionals - 149 coming from 33 countries and various geographical and working environments. Forty-four laureates awarded in 2015 were featured in a packed, three- day programme, representing almost all aspects of best, present-day practices. The conference was organised in partnership with Europa Nostra (with support by Creative Europe programme), and Endowment Fund of ICOM. The City of Dubrovnik reconfirmed its role as a perfect host, both due to the enchanting atmosphere of UNESCO world heritage site and local support of the City and of Dubrovnik Museums.
Dynamic interaction between the audience and presenters enabled for each participant to contribute to the exchange of ideas, insights and experiences, resulting with cross -fertilization and inspiration, both leading to professional advancement of all who have taken part. With 15 years of success, The best in Heritage conference has been also perceived as an additional evaluation occasion for the awarded projects from all over the world that it annually gathers and presents in Dubrovnik. The professional public took pleasure in expressing its appreciation of excellence by proclaiming in each two parts of the conference programme the Project of Influence of the year, - the ones judged as possessing capacity of producing change.
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In IMAGINES, part of the programme dedicated to multimedia and new technologies projects, - the professional public, assisted by moderators and assessors, has chosen the Heritage in Motion award laureate 2015, DOMunder - Tinker Imagineers from The Netherlands, which was presented by Joost van der Spek, for its creative and innovative use of variety of communication technologies and applications which engage mind as well as senses of visitors, creating in such way a powerful, unique experience of their local heritage. Second place by number of votes is taken by VanGoYourself project from the United Kingdom, and the third place by the HERMeS: Hermoupolis Digital Heritage Management from Greece.
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The Best in Heritage conference in Dubrovnik has been an attractive mirror of the work of dozens of prestigious juries that awarded, heritage projects from all over the world. It became evident that the international professional public, reinforced by expert moderators is well disposed to express its appreciation and preference by evaluating, in that part of the programme, the presentations of 28 projects from all sides of the world and by proclaiming one project as the Project of Influence of the year. The implied claim is that such a project has a potential to contribute decisively to change and advance professional practices by demonstrating its innovative and creative power of inspiration. Besides being a sensational archaeological discovery the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award 2015 laureate, Nuragic Sculptures of Monte Prama from Italy presented by Dr tbih2016 331Roberto Nardi. may well serve as a paradigm of integrated, dynamic conservation, exhibiting and community engagement. In a short period of time it has succeeded to dynamize and ennoble identity of Sardinia and put its community on the map of desired destinations, at the same time energizing its economic potential. Second place by number of votes was Vietnamese Women’s Museum from Vietnam and the third place Karenina.Live project from Russia.
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Both awards are recognition of excellence and professionalism by an ambitious international professional public. The trophies were handed over by representatives of the sponsors, Mr. Frank Boot (Mayvaert Glass Engineering, Ghent) and Mrs. Brigitte Prager (EXPONATEC, Koelnmesse, Cologne) respectively. Besides the two outstanding examples, most of the presented, awarded projects possess a distinctive power of influence in professional strategies and practices which renders them real change-makers. All of them, received Certificate of participation and the Excellence Club plaque.
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By experience we know that there is some doubt still, regarding whether competition is legitimate in culture? Culture is about criteria, about evaluation - not competition. This is correct, and indeed award schemes which are enabling this survey happen by selecting "the best", are elucidating and employing increasingly clear criteria of quality evaluation. Perfecting professional standards in servicing public needs and increased public and media visibility is the aim of all awards.
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Our world is increasingly one of numbers, quantities and frenzy of superficial change. Therefore, to counteract and correct this, the conference is after quality, excellence, inspiration and ideals of a perfect profession of public memory, with all its prestigious, important heritage occupations and increasingly accomplished civil society heritage activities.
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Conference photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHskHGLhvL
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