ICOMAM CONGRESS: MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUMS: CONTEMPORARY HISTORY AND SOCIAL RELEVANCE MOSCOW Russian Federation October 8-10, 2014 The Central Museum of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and State Historical Museum are grateful to the Executive Board of ICOMAM for the decision to hold the 2014 annual Committee Congress in the capital of the Russian Federation. The goal of the conference is to present the most current research and methods in military history and to exchange the latest information about military museum collections and objects. The conference will also explore problems and techniques in the conservation and restoration of weapons, armaments and military equipment, accoutrements and archival materials. The Congress is supported by ICOM Russia, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Government of the City of Moscow. The modern museum is a versatile, multi-functional, and proactive social institution. Museums need to adapt to changing cultural values while maintaining historical accuracy and retain their place as cultural "treasure troves" and educational creative laboratories. They are dynamic places of conservation, study and present material culture as witnesses of the past. Museum artifacts are a timeless "bridge" of communication between the original users and makers and viewers today. Museum professionals must maintain a balance of representing the past and remaining relevant for the present. Museums are transmitters of information. They have a significant role to play in ever-changing dialogue on the meaning of history which occurs between state interests, ethnic and social groups and cultural institutions. This is particularly important for military history museums. Military history museums keep alive the cultural memory of the numerous conflicts and the civilians and military professionals who were part of these wars. They represent the history of the armies, their heroes and villains, military science, armament and weapons. They may give hope for peaceful coexistence in view of the terrible history of war. It is not possible to discuss all the issues facing the military, military-historical museums and collections within this conference. Therefore, we believe that contemporary relevance is the key provision for the presentations and discussions on all areas of the museum practice, including: I. Collecting Plans: * The manner in which new-collected objects can interpret contemporary modern historical theory * The influence of historical tradition on the collection of artifacts; * The chronological framework of the contemporary collection; * Proper and standardized attribution of objects in the museum collection; * Best practices in restoration and conservation of museum objects II. Exhibiting Collections: * The interpretation of museum objects and collections * Best practices and exhibit techniques in contemporary museum display * Illustrating historical context in presentation of museum objects; * Multimedia and digital technology in museum exhibitions: visitor expectations, success of presentations and technical difficulties. * The weapon as an example of the achievements of technical and design ideas and as a means of warfare. III. Does Society Need Military History Museums? * The public value and significance of military and historical museums and collections * How the museum and its influence might inform society and the state to resolve conflict issues peacefully * The achievements of military science and technology for "peaceful purposes" * Participatory exhibits and programming, inviting visitor's ownership and involvement into submitted stories IV. The Museum and its Visitor: * Educational and public programs based on permanent displays and traveling exhibits * Visitor research and Audience segmentation * Tolerance and Patriotism * Visitor and museum interaction - constructive dialogue * Events and Activities Conference languages: Russian, English. Registration dead-line: August 1, 2014 Further information and registration procedure - http://www.icomamos.ru/en/about Post-Tour Program (200 euro per person) Data: October 11-12, 2014 Program: visit to the Weapon Museum in Tula and to the Leo Tolstoy Museum in Yasnaya Pol'ana. The post-tour fee includes: transfer Moscow - Tula - Yasnaya Pol'ana - Moscow, a standard room in the hotel, lunch in Tula, dinner and breakfast in Yasnaya Pol'ana We invite you to take part in the conference. Details of the post-conference tour to the Armory in Tula and the Museum of Leo Tolstoy in Yasnaya Polyana and hotel recommendations will follow later. -- Executive Directorate ICOM Russia\ Исполнительная дирекция ИКОМ России +7 (495) 951 0408 Подписаться на рассылку ИКОМ России >>> http://www.icom.org.ru/subscribe.asp Присоединиться к ИКОМ России >>> http://www.facebook.com/#!/icom.russia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html