Announcement for ICOM Europe Tour 2008

Museum Tour and Conference "Between the Old and the New Europe" September 28 – October 5, 2008

Venues: Tirana, Korce, Ohrid, Bitola, Vergina, Thessaloniki and Istanbul
In cooperation with ICOM Macedonia (FYR), ICOM Greece and ICOM Germany

The rich European heritage in the region between the Adriatic See and theBosporus, in Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,Greece andTurkey is the central aspect of ICOM Europe’s tour 2008. The prevailance ofMuslim/Ottoman traditions, the cultural relics of theGreek, Roman andBycentine periods and the traces of Jewish life andculture make this area aunique place to explore cultural diversity upto modern times. By visiting major cities and sites in the region the museum tourandconference will enable participants to compare the efforts made bymuseumsin Tirana, Korce (Museum of Medieval Art), Ohrid (NationalMuseum ofMacedonia), Bitola (several different historical sites),Vergina (Tomb ofPhilipp II), Thessaloniki (Museum of Bycentine Cultureand others) andIstanbul (private and public museums) to preserve,rebuild or establishcollections and exhibitions that reflect thefollowing basic aspects: 1.National and European Identities
2. TheRepresentation of Minorities
3. TheRevitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage
4. Cultural Diversity andUnderstanding.

The main intention of the tour is - to foster crossborder relationships between the countries participating- to provide insight into problems and necessary immediate action in museums- to strengthen the museums in the region- to improve international relationships among European countries andmuseums- to create and support networks of museums- to build up trust between museums ICOM Europe believes that the ICOM Europe Tour 2008 is a unique project to foster mobility of museum professionals in Europe. This corresponds with the strategic plan of ICOM and also with the Activity Plan of the EuropeanCouncil, that intends to foster networking and to build uptrust. Mobility of personal has become one of the key elements incultural policy today. We are convinced that the tour and conference meets the modern requirements ofmuseum management and will contributeto the development of museums as majorcultural institutions in Europe.
Programme
A detailed programme and the itinery of the tour shall be available by June.
See: www.icom-europe.org.
Registration To register for the ICOM Europe Tour 2008 please contact Mr. UdoGoesswaldchair@icom-europe.org.
Deadline for registration is June 30,2008. The registration fee is 120 Euros (80 Euros for students). After registering you will receive information about accomodation. ICOM Europe supplies a limited amount of travel grants for ICOMmembers,especially under the age of 35. Please apply for travel grantswith your CVand a letter of request. --Udo GoesswaldChairICOM-Europec/o Museum NeuköllnGanghoferstraße 312040 BerlinGermany +49/(0)30/6809 2535+49/(0)30/6809 3811www.icom-europe.org