XXIX GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASSOCIATION FOR 2019

XXIX General Assembly

Conference “New in old: contemporary museums in historical buildings”

Estonia – Haapsalu Castle
Foundation of Haapsalu and Läänemaa Museums

The annual conference reflected the latest developments in castle museums across different Baltic Sea countries. The sessions covered key topics, including building conservation, accessibility, and visitor engagement. A central theme of the event was managing the balance between preservation and modern functionality. While historical castles are delicate structures, operating them as museums requires these buildings to meet contemporary standards for climate control and accessibility. Consequently, participants discussed best practices for successfully meeting both museum operational needs and building conservation requirements. The conference also emphasized that working with visitors remains an essential part of museum operations. Attendees examined various methods for interpreting historical buildings and their histories and discussed strategies for designing and integrating contemporary exhibitions within castle environments.

 

Programme

18.09.

Board meeting

29th General Assembly

  1. Review and auditing reports of the previous year
  2. Presentations of new members: Wisłoujście Fortress, Museum of Gdansk; Kaunas Castle, Kaunas City Museum
  3. Opening of the new book “Castles around the Baltic Sea”

Venue: Haapsalu Castle

 

19.09.

Conference “New in old: contemporary museums in historical buildings”
Venue: Haapsalu Cultural Centre, Posti 3, Haapsalu, Estonia

 

Session I

Siim Raie, National Heritage Board of Estonia, Director General. RECONSTRUCTION, RESTORATION, CONSERVATION – IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE?

Dr hab. Janusz Trupinda, The Malbork Castle Museum, General Director “NOS CUM PROLE PIA, BENEDICAT VIRGO MARIA!” THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH AND MADONNA STATUE AT MALBORK CASTLE 2014-2016

Ramunė Vaičiulytė, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Communication coordinator NATIONAL MUSEUM PALACE OF THE GRAND DUKES OF LITHUANIA: THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HISTORY

Kaire Tooming, Haapsalu Castle Museum, Head of the Castle Museum FROM A RUIN TO A MUSEUM: 140 YEARS OF CONSERVATION IN HAAPSALU CASTLE

Margit Aule, KAOS Architects HAAPSALU CASTLE: BLENDING PAST WITH FUTURE

Teet Tark, Hevac OÜ, Chairman of the Board DESIGN OF INDOOR CLIMATE OF MUSEUM IN MEDIEVAL HAAPSALU CASTLE

 

Session II

Jaak Mäll PhD, Haapsalu Castle Museum, Head Curator HAAPSALU CASTLE: BUILDING AN EXHIBITION FROM THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

Priit Lätti, Estonian Maritime Museum, Researcher TOWERING TALES OF THE SEA”: NEW EXHIBITION IN AN OLD TOWER

Tõnu Sepp, Saaremaa Museum, Head of Maintenance Department KURESSAARE FORTRESS: STORIES TOLD BY THE WALLS

Alens Opoļskis, Cēsis History and Art Museum, Department of Medieval Castle, Operations Manager LIVING HISTORY AT CĒSIS CASTLE

 

Guided tour to Haapsalu Castle

 

20.09.

Excursion to Saaremaa – Maasi Castle, Pöide Church, Kuressaare Castle