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Description
The project Connected by Glass ! is focused on providing open public access to the cultural heritage – the glass collections of the Municipal Museum in Železný Brod, on its protection and at revitalisation of the building where the collection will be on display. The main goal of the project is to support, present and promote the unique phenomenon of the glass production in the Železný Brod area by co-operating with the partners of the project who are the Norwegian glass artists and the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno.
The project strengthens purposively the movable property management of the cultural heritage – the significant collection of the artistic and applied glass within the region, in the Municipal Museum. The planned investments will allow a new permanent exhibition to be held in a new innovative way. Educational activities that will contribute significantly to promoting the traditional glass production in the Železný Brod area and thus to improving the region’s economic situation, will be carried out with the involvement of the local and Norwegian artists, local authorities, businessmen and also the Romani community. The display of the collections on Czech and international on-line portals will be also available via the project.
All the planned activities are linked with the common topic – glass and the traditional glass production. The co-operation among the artists from Bohemia and Norway will be established during the common creative workshops at the symposia. The presentation of Romani glass art and planned co-operation with the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno will enable the involvement of the Romani minority into the cultural life in the town and introduce the Romani culture to wide public. Planned promoting activities will connect this project with the initiative of the Liberec Region named The Crystal Valley and improve the positions of glass producers, artists and also the cultural bodies within the tourism industry.
Summary of project results
The town of Železný Brod has been closely connected with glass production for centuries. The glass exhibition of the town museum is located in a listed building of the former town savings bank from 1937, built in the style of interwar modernism, the interior of which is well preserved. However, the form of the exhibition was not attractive to visitors and did not offer interactive elements that would interest younger visitors in particular. Our project combined both the creation of a new innovative glass exhibition and the restoration of the unique interior of the building. At the same time, the project responded to the need to process a part of the glass collection including historical glass. The cross-cutting theme of all project activities was glass, its connection with the local region, with local residents and local entrepreneurs, with traditional craft production and with locally specific tourism. Last but not least, the project focused on the local Roma community and its tradition of glass production.
We supported the local glassmaking tradition, which has positive socio-economic impacts. We expertly processed a collection of historical glass, established successful cooperation with Norwegian glassmakers, supported the local Roma community. We created a new interactive exhibition that attracted more visitors and raised awareness of the local glassmaking tradition. We expertly processed the collection of historical glass, making it available to the general and specialist public. We have developed a business strategy that is the basis for the further development of the museum. We supported bilateral Czech-Norwegian cooperation, which brought international know-how and improved professional skills. We also involved the Roma community through glassmaking activities, thereby promoting their integration. We created a tourist game that connected glassmaking and tourism. Thanks to intensive publicity, we raised awareness of the museum''s activities and developed our PR skills.
The project strengthened heritage management by revitalizing the museum, creating an interactive exhibition, and increasing collection protection in depositories and the exhibition. Only in the first month after opening, it attracted 3,728 visitors with CZK 75,515 in revenue, boosting Železnobrodsko''s visitor numbers. Cooperation with the Norwegian glassmaking community was strengthened, supporting regional development. An unexpected benefit was a significant improvement in PR skills .The project contributed to the socio-economic development of the region by revitalizing glass heritage and enhancing its protection and appeal. The new exhibition ensures long-term sustainability and increased visitor numbers. Involving various entities, including the Roma community, promoted social cohesion and integration. Bilateral cooperation added an international dimension and knowledge transfer, supporting the region''s future development.
Summary of bilateral results
The main results of the bilateral cooperation were the organization of three international glass symposia, which were attended by Czech and Norwegian glass artists. These meetings led to an intensive exchange of experiences and the establishment of long-term relationships with the Norwegian glass community. We facilitated a study tour for the Norwegian artists, during which they visited glassworks, museums and exhibitions in the region, and in return we traveled to Norway, where we got to know their glass studios. Thanks to the excellent cooperation, we received a grant from the Bilateral Cooperation Fund, which enabled us to organize another symposium beyond the original project. The cooperation had a wider impact not only in the field of glass technologies, but also in cultural understanding between the two countries. Jeanne-Sophie Aas was the key contact person for PR on the Norwegian side and significantly contributed to connecting the communities. Overall, the partnership proved beneficial for the enrichment of both parties, both professionally and culturally.