This Face-to-Face meeting was hosted by FRH member Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken, in Groningen, The Netherlands, and was within the framework of the international conference ‘Religious Heritage in a Diverse Europe’.
These face to face meetings are organised on a regular basis exclusively for FRH members, enhance the role of our network as a platform where members meet, network and exchange ideas, information and practices.
This face to face meeting was held within the framework of the international conference ‘Religious Heritage in a Diverse Europe’, organised by a partnership between the University of Groningen, Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken (Groningen Historic Churches Foundation), Museum Catharijneconvent, Jewish Cultural Quarter and FRH.
On the first day of the meeting, FRH members and local stakeholders met at Remonstrantse Kerk for the face to face exchange. Originally a church from 1883, the Remonstrantse Kerk was given a new purpose in 2006, and is now used for meetings, trainings, congresses, workshops, concerts, and lectures.
In the afternoon, members attended the conference, which included several interesting panels and sessions, with high level speakers from around the world.
After the first conference day, a reception was held at the University of Groningen, hosted by the Mayor of the City of Groningen and the Rector Magnificus.
The second day of the conference began with several parallel sessions, with a presentation by FRH Council Member Lilian Grootswagers, who participated in the panel of Values and Valuation, alongside Sander Ummelen and Stephan Ummelen (waardegedreven) and Karin Drda-Kuhn (SKIVRE); where they shared reflections on the preservation and valorisation of religious heritage through the development, production and marketing of monastic products.
In the afternoon of the second day several study visits were organised, and conference participants were able to choose from four options. The first study visit was focused on the new and ambitious restructuring project that the Groningen Historic Churches Foundation is developing for future educational activities. The second one was an excursion to a selection of historic churches in the province of Groningen. The third site visit was at the Monumental Synagogue in Folkingestraat that it is located in the ‘Jewish Neighborhood’ of Groningen. Finally, the last one was a visit to the Helmantel Museum in Westeremden, where artist Henk Helmantel has established his museum and studio in a monumental farm in the historic village.
As an end to the day, participants were welcomed to an evening reception by a keynote presentation from Nicola Green followed by a welcome speech by the King’s commissioner in the province of Groningenat at the Der Aa-Kerk , followed by the conference dinner.
We would like to thank all the members and participants who joined us in Groningen for the wonderful discussions and conferences. We are also very grateful to the University of Groningen and FRH member Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken for hosting us.
Have a look at the photo album
Please note that the Face to Face Meetings are organised exclusively for FRH Members.
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