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Description
The general objective of this project is the development of innovative methods of valorization, communication and interpretation of the cultural heritage of the ASTRA Museum and Sibiu County, having as specific objectives the valorization of 13 restored and classified objects from the ASTRA Museum heritage, the promotion of regional gastronomy by developing a cultural program of 6 months duration and encouraging cultural entrepreneurship by involving at least 5 local craftsmen and producers in the project. There will be a visiting circuit that includes the pastoral construction from Răşinari (Mărginimea Sibiului) and the wax candels manufacturer household from Sebeşul de Jos (Ţara Oltului). These monuments were rebuilt in the Open Air Museum more than 30 years ago, the objects display being static, lacking in interactivity, and the information being poorly interpreted and communicated to the public. Therefore, the project proposes an innovative approach to ethnographic heritage management through the organization of a modern exhibition in accordance with current museology trends and tailored to the expectations of the public. Within the project, 13 objects of high ethnographic importance have been selected to be exhibited and interpreted around which the themes of the exhibition will be built. The display mode will be innovative, with modern museotechnics elements, and as a means of interpreting heritage, a multimedia system (VR - virtual reality) will be implemented, which is a premiere for open air ethnographic collections. The exhibition will be capitalized by a cultural program consisting of crafts and gastronomic workshops supported by local producers as well as re-enactments and fairs. The target audience consists of young people aged between 15 and 30, the least well-represented category among the audience of the museum. The final beneficiaries are the local community, craftsmen and local producers and museum professionals.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the need for preserving and promoting cultural heritage through modern and engaging methods. It sought to enhance public access to and understanding of traditional crafts and rural life while revitalizing interest in cultural heritage by integrating innovative technologies. Additionally, the project aimed to support local producers and craftsmen by providing opportunities for them to showcase their work.
The project restored 13 cultural objects and incorporated them into a new exhibition circuit called ASTRA VR, spanning three locations in the Open Air Museum: the beeswax candle maker''s homestead from Sebeșu de Jos, the shepherd''s homestead, and the sheepfold from Rășinari. Using the latest multimedia technologies, the exhibition featured 20 virtual reality (VR) headsets alongside advanced audio and light systems, allowing visitors to engage with the stories behind the objects. The exhibition was enhanced by a cultural program that included 21 crafts and gastronomic workshops led by local producers, as well as re-enactments and fairs.
The project attracted approximately 9,000 visitors during its implementation, offering them an immersive and interactive experience that deepened their understanding of traditional crafts and rural life. The use of VR and multimedia technologies modernized the presentation of cultural heritage, making it more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. The cultural program provided a platform for local producers to share their crafts and culinary traditions, supporting their economic and cultural sustainability. Overall, the project successfully combined heritage preservation with innovative technology, enriching the visitor experience and fostering greater appreciation for local traditions.
Summary of bilateral results
In this project, the Norwegian partner had a consultative role regarding heritage management and the implementation of new media technology in interpreting the ethnographic heritage. The collaboration consisted of periodic online work sessions, bringing forth topics such as innovative techniques of presenting informative content as a means of interpreting cultural heritage, creating an exhibition that appeals to the young generation, as well as aspects concerning the restoration of heritage objects.