Ποιειν Και Πραττειν - create and do

Record of the 1st HERMES meeting in Weimar 24.04 - 28.04.2004

1. Basic remarks

The first meeting of all HERMES partners was characterized by an open and constructive atmosphere based on real partnership. The most important result of these days in Weimar is: the HERMES project now has got an individual, personal face. Every partner is willing to fulfil the objectives of the project as laid down in the application form and to add the specific experiences of his/her institution.

Above all, the conference gave everyone the opportunity to get to know all other partners, their activities, their aims and their interests in participating within the HERMEs project. It presented the German partners in detail as well as their region and their project activities (Wieland estate Ossmanstedt, internet radio). Furthermore, the conference discussed and clarified essential parts of the work packages, of the action plan and of organizational details (see below).

The conference also gave an impression of the challenges and possible problems that will have to be solved during the next three years of co-operation. However, the meeting has to be considered as successful, efficient and necessary.

2. Presentation and discussion of work packages

The main part of the meeting was dedicated to the discussion of details of the HERMES work packages. On the whole, the activities planned in the application form were confirmed. However, the conference decided several modifications and additions.

2.1 Set-up of the HERMES network

All partners agreed to develop and support actively the HERMES netrwork. The main tasks of co-ordination and communication will be carried out by the lead partners and his staff (by electronic means as well as by personal contacts / visits). Additionally, the network will comprise the following activities:

2.2 Scientific framework

The main objective of the scientific framework will be to synthesie and generalize the project's outcomes and to demonstrate the European added value of the HERMES activities. Here, the main focus will lie on the role of culture and heritage for / within sustainable regional development. For this purpose, two research topics / groups were presented and discussed:

a. validation and generalization of the theoretical framework and the outcomes of the HERMEs project, co-ordinated by the Bauhaus University Weimar (Prof. Dr. Dieter Hassenpflug, Sebastian Schröder)

b. feasibility study about media communication and tourist use of common European heritage roots, co-ordinated by the Foundation Weimar Classic and Art Collections (Justus H. Ulbricht, Dr. Frithjof Reinhardt).

Important remarks:

2.3 Innovative pilot projects in heritage sites

The excursion to the Wieland estate Ossmanstedt near Weimar presented the activities and aims of the lead partner to maintain and alternate heritage sites by new forms of use and presentation. Media experts from the Bauhaus University Weimar presented their concept of a multimedia Wieland museum. This excursion as well as the video presentation of the Bulgarian partner Boyana Church and the presentation of the activities of the Greek partner (especially the virtual museum of Argonauts) sparked intensive and interesting debates among the partners and in small working groups.

The task of the following months will be to intensify the contacts between the partners who co-operate particularly close in this special project field (Weimar – Sofia – Krakow) to engage additional partners by means of the multimedia working group. Possible activities of the Polish partner MIK Krakow, i.e. the realization of new uses in Szymark castle near Krakow, will depend on the so-called 'dock-on-project' that has to be prepared until summer 2004. The next discussion of this topic will take place in Krakow on June 1st.

Important remarks:

2.4 Dissemination of HERMES outcomes, internet radio

The discussion of the internet radio was one of the most intensive parts of the meeting. All radio partners expressed their interest in an active participation within this network. During the three days of discussion of the internet radio working group, many details could be clarified. As a result, the following future activies were decided:

The partners Radio Krakow, Hungarian Radio and Slovakian Radio may also apply for additional funding through the so-called “dock-on-proect” that has to be prepared until summer 2004. In Maya and June 2004, the lead partner as well as the internet radio co-ordinators (Sebastian Vogt, Pierre Deason / Radio LOTTE) will visit all three partners and discuss details.

Important remarks:

2.5 Educational and qualification offers

HERMES offers different education and qualification courses for (young) experts and multipliers from the participating regions. In August 2004, these Summer Courses will start in Weimar (14/08 – 28/08) and shall above all serve as a workshop to discuss and to complement the scientific framework. Accordingly, the topic of this first course will be “The Common Roots of European Culture and their Significance for Sustainable Regional Development.”

Important remarks:

As a second offer of education and qualification the Italian partner Cultural Centre Grandhotel Toblach will organise annual international conferences (“New Toblach Talks”) with a special focus on culture and sustainable regional development. A first draft version of these conferences was discussed controversially during the conference. As a result, it was decided to start in 2004 with a first workshop (16/09 – 18/09) to discuss possible topics, partners and speakers for the New Toblach Talks 2005/06.

3 Organizational details

The last session of the opening conference discussed important organizational details of the project implementation.

3.1 Steering Committee

After having discussed several variations of a HERMES steering committee, it was decided to form a steering committee with one member from each partner. The steering committee shall above all control the development of the HERMES project, give advice and feedback to the lead partner / project and co-ordinator and integrate the special aims and problems of each partner. To reduce travel and accommodation costs, the steering committee meetings shall be organized (if possible) in connection with the HERMES conferences and/or other HERMES meetings.

Important remarks:

3.2 Partnership Convention

As a binding basis of the HERMES network, a partnership convention has to be adopted. As recommended by the Joint Technical Secretary, the convention of the already approved project REKULA was presented and discussed. Because it has to be examined carefully, it was decided to elaborate special HERMES partnership convention and send it as a draft version to all partners until mid May.

 

3.3 Next activities, next meetings

 

During the next few months, all work packages will start their activities. These activities are carried out by the respective partners and/or small working groups. Additionally, the following next meetings have been proposed:

14/08 – 28/98/04 Weimar

Weimar summer courses (already fixed)

03/09 – 05/09/04 Weimar

Meeting of internet radio workgroup (date already fixed)

16/09 – 18/09/04 Toblach

Workshop New Toblach Talks (to be confirmed)

April / May 2005 Krakow

HERMES conference (proposal)

13/08 – 27/08/05 Weimar

Weimar summer courses (date already fixed)

September 2005, Toblach

Toblach summer courses, in connection with New Toblach Talks (to be confirmed)

October 2005 Budapest

Meeting of the Internet radio work group (to be confirmed)

April / May 2006 Sofia

HERMES conference (to be confirmed)

May / June 2006 Volos

Volos summer course (date already fixed)

September 2006 Zagreb

Meeting of the internet radio work group (to be confirmed)

September 2006, Toblach

New Toblach Talks (to be confirmed)

October 2006 Weimar

HERMES final conference

 

All partners are asked to check these propositions carefully and give a feedback to the HERMES co-ordinator until July 1st.

3.4 Other remarks

During the next few months, the Polish, Hungarian and Slovakian partners may apply for additional funding (HERMES dock-on project). The HERMES co-ordinator will discuss details with the respective project partners and prepare the application form.

 

Contact at HERMES project office in Weimar (Dr. Burkhardt Kolbmüller)

 

Stiftung Weimarer Klassik und Kunstsammlungen

INTERREG Project HERMES

Burgplatz 4, D-99423 Weimar

 

Tasks asked from the partners:

 

Dr. Burkhardt Kolbmüller

Weimar 14/05/2004

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