The annual General Assembly of the Association of Castles and Museums Around the Baltic Sea and the international conference "Our Secret Objects" took place at Rakvere Castle in Estonia.

WEDNESDAY, 11th September

The event commenced with a board meeting, subsequently followed by the General Assembly. During the GA, the annual report is approved, a report on the achievements of the previous year is submitted, new members are admitted, and a new council and president are elected. The day ended with a tour and dinner in Rakvere Castle.

THURSDAY, 12th September

CONFERENCE “Our Secret Objects”

The collections of the museum are replete with artefacts. The manner in which we conduct research, interpret the findings, and present them to the public, along with the significance and information they convey, is of paramount importance. The objective of the conference is to explore the various methods by which the objects can be made to "speak" and to convey their histories through a variety of displays, contexts and novel representations. Conversely, objects require preservation, handling and consistent maintenance. The perpetual shifts in the political and security landscapes pose a grave threat to the integrity and accessibility of our collections and archives.

The official working language of the conference was English.

Grzegorz Stasiełowicz, MSc (The Archaeological and Historical Museum, Elbląg, Poland), Elbląg – reinterpretation. Traps and Victories. (Rakvere_Elblag _Stasielovicz.pdf)

Dzintra Spradzenko, MA (Rundāle Palace Museum, Latvia), Small Findings Make Big Story. (Rakvere_Rundale_Spradzenko.pdf)

Hilkka Hiiop, PhD (Estonian Academy of Arts), Newly discovered ceiling painting in the House of Estlands’ nobility: the story of its de-/remounting, conservation, dating and context. (Rakvere_Hilkka_Hiiop.pdf)

Bengt Kylsberg (Former Curator at Skokloster Castle, Sweden), Does the size matter? (Rakvere_Kylsberg.pdf)

Gunta Zakite, MA, Justīne Timermane, MA (Turaida Museum Reserve, Latvia), Inspired by the signs on the bricks or David od Turaida Castle. (Rakvere_Turaida_Zakite.pdf)

Ināra Bula, MA (Head of the Cēsis Museum, president of ICOMOS Latvija), Object and historical truth in the imagination of interpretation. (Rakvere_Cesis_Bula.pdf)

Ina Līne, MA (Tukums museum, Latvia) Stoves and Stove tiles of Bauska Castle. Some questions and answerers.  (Rakvere_Bauska_Line.pdf)

Gregory Leighton, Phd (The Malbork Castle Museum, Poland), Days After World War 2 around the Baltic Sea (D.A.B.S). Proposal for cooperation and Project Outline. (Rakvere_DABS_Leighton.pdf)

Following the conference, a second meeting was held in Rakvere Castle to attend the evening gala. The culinary offerings of the castle kitchen were inspired by historical references, and the accompanying programme ensured an unforgettable experience.

FRIDAY, 13th September

A guided tour was organised for the participants of the General Assembly, during which they had the opportunity to visit various castles and manor houses from different historical periods. In Tooles, a scenic outdoor picnic was set out by the sea.

Kolga manor – Palmse manor – Purtse Castle –Toolse Castle

Participation feeof event: EUR 80.-

Information on practical issues: Viljar Vissel, viljar@svm.ee