Archeofactu, Portuguese National Commission of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-PT ), the Portuguese Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Professional Association of Conservators-Restorers (ARP) were the members of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) of the International Council of Museums - Committee for the Conservation (ICOM-CC) 16th Triennial Conference, which was held in the Lisbon Congress Centre from the 19th till the 23rd in September, 2011. This worldwide conference on heritage conservation, the largest ever held in Portugal, brought together 900 delegates from 70 different countries and benefit from a record number contributions (213 papers and 62 posters). One of the most important outcomes of these triennial conferences is the publication of the papers presented during the sessions. The peer-reviewed conference preprints are among the most respected periodicals in the conservation field, with over 2000 professional papers published to date.
The conference theme, proposed by the host country - Cultural Heritage vs Cultural Identity: the role of conservation - aims to capture the recognition by communities or nations of the importance of affirming their cultural heritage in this era of globalisation, as they evolve through contact and exchange with other cultures.
Considering this trend, the conference explores and compares different approaches regarding conservation policies and methods, as well as scientific methods for studying materials and technologies, in order to improve our understanding of the role of conservation in valuing heritage and its relationship to other areas such as sociology, economy, and politics, which are vital in ensuring the sustainability of communities.
The Lisbon Conference was indeed an opportunity to share methods, studies and strategies to value individual cultural identities through heritage conservation by addressing topics such as:
- The relationships between cultural heritage and cultural identity;
- National and international conservation policies;
- The importance of interdisciplinary in the preservation of cultural heritage;
- The development of research and education in heritage conservation.
- Standards, practices, and methodologies for heritage conservation.
The conference experience was also enhanced by other events like:
- a welcome reception at the Electricity Museum, housed in the renovated early twentieth-century Tejo Power Station,
- technical visits to museums and/or other historical sites of cultural interest in the Lisbon neighbourhood,
- the get-together dinner, featuring sumptuous food and live music, at LXFactory, an arts centre in a converted industrial complex, which is one of the most popular cultural centres of Lisbon.
- the concert Lisbon now at the Cultural Centre of Belém organized by the Association Sons da Lusofonia, specially produced for the conference delegates.
* ICOM is an international non-governmental organization of museums and museum professionals involved in the conservation, protection and dissemination of world cultural and natural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible. It has about 21,000 members in 140 countries and 30 International Committees, and the Committee for the Conservation captures the interest of more members.
Acknowledgements International Council of Museums, Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC) ~ The Getty Conservation Institute ~ Portuguese Secretary of State for Culture ~ Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation ~ Lisbon Congress Centre ~ Sounds of Lusofonia Association ~ Lisbon Tourism Bureau ~ Cultural Centre of Belém ~ Directorate General of Cultural Heritage (DGPC) ~ LX Factory ~ Lisbon Water Museum ~ Council Ecomuseum of Seixal ~ Lisbon Electricity Museum ~ National Association of Producers of Pera Rocha
Technical support
Coordination Pedro Pedroso
Design Henrique Cayatte Design
Internet Use.it®
Editing Janet Bridgland, Carla Nunes, Eduardo Pulido
Publishing Critério, Produção Gráfica
Organisation Viagens Abreu, S.A.
Staff Ana Bravo, Isabel Tissot, Manuel Lemos, Matthias Tissot
Photography Matthias Tissot
Printing Norprint, Artes Gráficas; MR, Artes Gráficas; ZCard Portugal
Signage Digipainel, Impressão Digital
Audiovisuals Alfasom, Audiovisuais, Lda.
Computers Iwaytrade, Data and Management Systems, S.A.
Musicians Carlos Martins (direction), Bernardo Sasseti, Ricardo Ribeiro, Nancy Vieira, Pedro Jóia, Gospel Collective Choros, among others.
Translation Double You Translations
Catering José Bengaló
Credits Photographic Documentation Division/IMC
