OSLO.- The conference theme, Cultural Connections in Conservation, invites the conservation community to explore how conservation can strengthen links to the past, present, and future, and bridge divides across cultures and generations.
Cultural connections lie at the heart of why we conserve cultural heritage. Both societal and professional relationships—as well as our links to the past and the future—are vital to recognising, understanding, and sustaining the cultural identities embodied in material culture.
As global change and societal transformation continue, it becomes increasingly important to understand, respect, and advocate for diverse voices and communities, including Indigenous cultures. Responding to new challenges, forging new paths, and fostering inclusive collaborations can align with commitments to conserving material heritage, whether historic or contemporary in origin.
Conservators, scientists, curators, and other museum professionals are invited to Oslo in the fall to experience “the Norwegian Miracle”—a phrase coined by Swiss curator and art historian Hans Ulrich Obrist.
“The Norwegian Miracle” refers to the recent re-envisioning of Oslo’s cultural landscape. For more than a decade, significant investment has been directed towards institutions dedicated to art, cultural heritage, and conservation.
Several major initiatives within Norway’s museum sector have resulted in the opening of the new Munch Museum (2021), the National Museum (2022), and the Museum of the Viking Age, scheduled for completion in 2027. These exceptional projects have generated new knowledge and revitalised the local conservation field.
ICOM-CC triennial conferences bring together museum professionals from around the world, fostering dialogue and the exchange of ideas and approaches across the museum field. The academic programme will include 160 paper presentations, 122 posters, three keynote lectures, two roundtable discussions, and one Triennial Lecture, making this an event that captures the pulse of museum research within a diverse and interdisciplinary community.
The Local Organising Committee will arrange a wide selection of technical tours showcasing developments in the museum and research community within the Oslo region. In addition, both before and after the conference, participants will be invited to extended guided tours—not only in Oslo, but throughout the country. Local experts will welcome organised visits to museums and cultural institutions ranging from Alta in the north to Kristiansand in the south.
The ICOM-CC triennial in Oslo offers a unique opportunity to connect with the global network of cultural heritage professionals all at once.
