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

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:

special working groups according to the work packages
an international HERMES steering committee (with one representative per partner (see point 3.1)
periodical HERMES meetings, meetings of working groups and meetings of the steering committee (see point 3.3)
organization of permanent contact and exchange of experiences amongst the partners (to be secured by the lead partner)

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:

Both sketches are preliminary draft versions, with the purpose of serving as a basis for further discussions. All partners are encouraged to comment on, to change and to complement these sketches according to their personal/institutional/national preferences and requirements.
Due to the co-financing of the German Ministry for Transport and Housing, HERMES is able to engage additional scientists through special contracts. All partners are requested to recommend researchers of their respective region / country who work in similar fields and who could contribute to the HERMES sceintific framework.
The discussion of this work package underlined the necessity to use a „modern“ understanding of cultural heritage, to take into consideration the different definitions of cultural identity and of cultural heritage in the participating regions and to develop a plain scientific methodology. Furthermore, it was expressed the wish to connect closely the scientific framework with the other work packages as well as with the „real life“ in the partner regions.

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 1^st.

Important remarks:

The discussion expressed the hope to connect closely this work package with the internet radio to “promote” the cultural heritage and it's special needs.
Several remarks concerned the necessity to “add” pedagogic activities to the technical solutions and to take special care of the problems of (data) security.

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:

Building up an internet based Information-Platform (website) to provide information (news) about the live-streaming content of the HERMES radio partners (weekly programme overviews in English + linking to the live-streams) in context of the HERMES project idea (Heritage and New Media for Sustainable Regional Development), additional content about (cultural) evens in the CADSES region and about other INTERREG projects. A discussion board will be integrated. The first prototype of this Information Platform will be developed until September 2004. Every radio partner is asked to delegate a journalist for content-work on the common website.
In the second stage (2005 ?) HERMES will start a common internet based programme-exchange-platform (text, pictures, audio materials including metadatas).
International workshops twice a year for all radio partners and other interested persons (for instance journalists and scientists) will be the basis for the exchange of knowledge and “medias” as well as for developing new concepts of the HERMES Internet Radio.

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:

Due to the co-financing of the German Ministry for Transport and Housing, HERMES is able to finance the activities of journalists of the participating radio stations by special contracts. All partners in this field are requested to recommend (young) journalists of their radio station to co-operate within the internet radio network. The lead partner will send an official demand to the participating radio stations (until June 1^st).
All radio partners are asked to send the internet link of their already existing live-streaming offers to the project co-ordinator as well as to the other project partners.
The discussion of this work package recommended to contact the European Broadcasting Union and to establish step by step a “HERMES digital sound library” (connecting voice, written text and photo/video information). Although the HERMES internet radio shall serve as a multiplier of information about cultural heritage as well as about European projects, the participants expressed the need of free journalist decision on the contents of their broadcasting.

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:

The lead partner will be able to finance the stay (2 weeks accommodation, food, tuition) of up to 15 participants. All partners are asked to recommend one or two experts and multipliers who are both competent and interested in the topic of the course, and who may afterwards actively participate within the scientific framework and/or other parts of the HERMES project. The target group comprises, for instance, students and scientists as well as other experts in the topics covered by HERMES, usually between 18 and 40 years of age.
The partners are also asked to recommend well known experts / scientists who might serve as a speaker during the courses.
The discussion advised to adjust the contents of the different summer courses in Weimar, Volos and Toblach and to exchange speakers as well as participants.

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:

Every partner is requested to nominate one member for the HERMES steering committee. This person should be able to “represent” the partner institution and to fulfil this position during the next three years.
As an additional forum of control and evaluation of the project's progress, the group of work package co-ordinators will be initiated and maintained (see work package overview). The group will act in close contact to the HERMES project co-ordinator (Dr. Burkhard Kolbmüller).
If necessary, a first meeting of the HERMES steering committee might be organized already in September 2004 (combined with the internet radio group meeting).

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 1^st.

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:

to check his activities as laid down in the application form and discussed during the Weimar meeting (until June 1^st)
to comment on, to change and to complete the sketches of the scientific framework according to the personal / institutional / national preferences and requirements (until June 1^st)
to recommend journalists to co-operate within the internet radio network (until July 1^st)
to nominate one member for the HERMES steering committee (until July 1^st)
to comment on, to change and to complete the draft version of the HERMES joint convention between the partners (until June 1^st)
to promote the HERMES project in every participating region.

Dr. Burkhardt Kolbmüller

Weimar 14/05/2004

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