ICHI 2009

Slovakia       07th April - 15th April 2009

Bulgaria       10th April - 17th April 2009

Iceland          22nd June - 29th June 2009

Latvia           06th June - 13th June 2009

ICHI is a Leonardo da Vinci funded programme.  The grant will cover the costs of return travel from Scotland to the host country, accommodation and subsistence.  Some of the exchanges will incur extra costs because of the level of the subsistence grant, this should not amount to more than 100 euros per person, and it will vary from country to country.  I will try to publish details of what you may have to pay for during the trip with each programme.

"Here, ruins have long been perceived as exciting and romantic, somewhere to head to for a day out – castles, abbeys, old houses, folk museums all connect us to a past that we tend to find irresistible. We like the old and it is a major element of our heritage industry. Not so in Slovakia. The past, the old and the inefficient are rather too close for comfort, and remind people of what was often a forgettable, and regrettable, history." David Johnson David Johnson works in heritage research and interpretation, in a freelance capacity, in the Yorkshire Dales.    more »

ICHI3 group with Glasgow students

One of the biggest surprises and what made the trip
not only educational but extremely enjoyable was
the laughter, fun, banter and general craic between
participants, and with Elfa and Oli, and the Glasgow
students.

Susan Walker

The afternoon seminar allowed us to introduce our selves to the group as well as learning
about Gunnar Gunnarsson. Topics ranged from Robert Burns, to rescuing archaeological sites,
Andy Goldsworthy’s landscape art, community projects, education by state and charitable
sectors and fieldwork of different types. Perspectives on heritage were varied but seemed to
focus on ideas of identity and to some extent ownership, such a crucial component of
‘professional’ interaction with local people. It was also useful to have a welcoming group of
Glasgow University geology and zoology students at the seminar; they of course brought a
different perspective to landscape studies, empiricism and our own projects (as well as acting
as excellent co-hosts).

George Geddes

The combined joint report is attached as a pdf . To find out more and read the complete joint reports with lots of photographs please click on the attachment below and wait a few moments for it to open ....

"This seems to be a very effective way of interpreting the traditional crafts – what better way than to see a skilled practitioner at work, seeing not only the finished product but also the process? The chance to see water powered machinery in operation and craftspeople in action can explain and engage more than the best static interpretation board or label." Joanna Macrae, NMS    more »

"The overwhelming impression of the visit has been of dedicated, enthusiastic people battling against bureaucracy , lack of money and resources to protect, conserve and display their heritage. Many of their problems are universal, for example, the best artefacts going to the big museums rather than staying in the local ones, black market in antiquities and unfair allocation of funds." Sue Sharp, Alston potter    more »

"There are many ideas I have taken away from my exchange to Latvia. I admired the way locally available resources and skills were utilised. There is a strong use of wood in the new buildings and even in the interpretation panels. The skills of the local wood carvers could be found in the high quality results of the projects." Amy Dale, St Andrews Museum    more »

" I believe that the knowledge and experience that I have gained during the exchange to Latvia will reap benefits in my occupation well into the future. It has afforded me the opportunity to compare the type of recreation facilities, leisure tourism and nature tourism that is on offer to visitors in another country..." Anne Gilchrist, Forestry Commission Scotland.    more »

" I came away from my time in Latvia with a very positive view of how the teaching of natural history and respect for the environment is an important part of the national psyche. In a country so closely tied to its forests and lakes and very aware of the cyclical nature of the world this is to be expected," Mike Rutherford, Kelvingrove Museum    more »

"Two things really stood out for me at Tervete: one was the interpretation boards on the nature trail which were beautifully hand-painted in a bright, fun and engaging way for families and children but also accurate representations of the trees, fungi, flowers and animals of the forest. The second thing that really stood out was the “King of the Forest Rules” this is a document which the children sign out in the forest in front of a wooden sculpture of the king, the rules include not picking wildflowers and other ways to respect nature but also include some fun elements such as references to fairies and gnomes. " Lyndsey Clark,  National Museums Scotland

Tervete nature Park

   more »

The author of this report is Chairman of the Dunfermline Heritage Community Projects organisation. This group was formed to research and publish local history and heritage related to Dunfermline. It also acts in an advisory role to the local and regional councils with regard to local museums and liaises with government organisations such as Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission for Ancient & Historical Monuments of Scotland. The city museum in Dunfermline has been closed for many years – funding being one of the major issues – but an application had been made for lottery funding to match the £6 million to be made available by the council for a new museum. Unfortunately this grant application was turned down. The main purpose of the trip for the author was to find out how Bulgarian museums were funded and run to see what could be learned and brought back to Scotland to help continue the fight to set up and successfully operate a new community museum. This report therefore concentrates on the museums and their contents and finances. However, the author made copious notes and took well over 100 photographs over the week’s visits and the plan is to do an extended presentation in September on the museums, customs etc of Bulgaria and relate them to the history and heritage of Scotland at both national and local levels. This presentation is to be done in the local heritage centre in Dunfermline, Abbot House. More information on the author’s organisation and its role in the heritage scene in Dunfermlne can be found at www.dunfermlineheritage.org    more »

Personal Highlights. The palimpsest of history that is Sofia. Chancing upon a gold-crested temple or monastery glanced through the trees. The friendliness and enthusiasm of the museum staff The multiple income streams at Etara Ethnographic Museum The folk dancing and play at Etara Yogurt with walnuts and honey Kamenetsa Lager The helicopter gunship at the National History Museum The story of Bulgarian Icons, Dryanova The proliferation of monuments The museum of Humour and Surrealism, Gabrovo Huge Empty factories, Gabrovo Guessing what the view was like at Shipka Pass Bulgaria is a fascinating country, with beautiful scenery, a fascinating history and a great many sites of cultural heritage. I would like to come and work there for a period, but would also delight in taking my family, though probably to the Black Sea coast, at least initially.    more »

Outline for The National Natural History Museum and the Environmental Guides programme in Latvia 6th - 13th June 2009    more »