Euregio Karelia: Museum Hypertext (KA426)
Funded by Karelia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The aim of the project was to encourage the development of the Euregio Karelia cross-border cultural space based on new common vision, identification and museum interpretation of historical and cultural features, internal and outer interconnections and links, in the context of actualization of the new communication technologies.

Main activities

• Creation of an open museum information system of the Euregio Karelia; • Work for museums technical upgrade, renovations, creation of new exhibitions, development of development strategies for municipal museums of the Republic of Karelia • A number of problem-based, educational, presentation-based seminars/conferences, study tours, exhibitions • Promotion of museum products and services to the travel markets of Russia and Finland. Releasing printed materials, production of new souvenirs products for museums.

Achievements

Development concepts were elaborated/updated for museums in Medvezhyegorsk, Kostomuksha and Sortavala. The scenario concepts for new hypertext-based museum exhibitions were also created. In other participating museums, where exhibitions were not upgraded, the exhibits were analyzed and some of them were selected to be the elements of the hypertext mark-up system that provides visitors with an opportunity to explore different layers of the museum exhibitions. These exhibits can be found in the Open Karelia system. The first joint Russian-Finnish museum information system “Open Karelia” was created for managing the museum information in the Euregio Karelia region and presenting it to the user in the most convenient way. It is a new type of a multi-language museum resource that provides up-to-date information and helps the participating museums to be visible in the virtual environment. The system is free and open for any museum to join. New partnerships were established between the participating museums and the existing professional networks were strengthened which helped to establish information exchange and to join efforts in acquiring new knowledge and competencies. Also, professional development of the museums’ staff was ensured through organized trainings.