Malagasy museum professionals launch into the preventive conservation of collections through the RE-ORG course
The two-week training workshop was part of the project "Preventive conservation and enhancement of the collections of the Manjakamiadana Palace at the Palace of Andafiavaratra" conducted by UNESCO at the request of the Ministry of Communication and Culture of Madagascar and funded by a generous contribution from the Government of Japan.
In partnership with ICCROM and the National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-Madagasikara), UNESCO organized a RE-ORG course for conservation from 11 to 21 June 2019 at the Palais d'Andafiavaratra in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The course benefitted 26 professionals from 12 national museums.
The RE-ORG method was developed by ICCROM and UNESCO in 2011 to help museums improve the management of their collections in reserve and their use while respecting traditional know-how, local knowledge and cultural diversity. Gael de Guichen and Baba Keita, two experts from ICCROM, led the course for 10 days with the support of a national team formed by ICOM-Madagasikara.
The participants worked on the royal collections that were rescued from the November 1995 fire of the Rova d'Antananarivo, better known as the "Queen's Palace." The collections were housed at the Palace of Andafiavaratra (former Palace of the First Minister) for more than 20 years. Before launching the course, UNESCO supported small works such as repairing the glass dome and securing windows and doors.
After reorganizing the storage rooms, the participants designed a temporary exhibition on the ground floor of the Andafiavaratra Palace, inviting the public to visit it from 21 June 2019.
Afterwards, course participants are returning to the remaining 11 museums to reorganize their own reserves using the RE-ORG methodology.
"We are very grateful for the financial support of the Government of Japan and the technical support of UNESCO, ICOM-Madagasikara and ICCROM, which allow us to ensure the preventive conservation of our royal collections as well as the collections of other national museums for the benefit of all citizens of Madagascar," said Mme Lalatiana Andriatongarivo Rakotondrazafy, Minister of Communication and Culture.