A historical success of the Museum of Papermaking

The project team, led by Joanna Seredyńska, deputy head of the Museum of Papermaking, constituting of: Agnieszka Chudziak, Katarzyna Skowron and Karolina Wołoszyn-Cymbalista achieved a historical success, obtaining substantial funds for the Museum in the amount of PLN 6,682,490.00 in the scope of the 1st recruitment for the Program “Conservation and revitalisation of cultural heritage” in the scope of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism for 2009-2014.

The winning project was: “Upgrade and adaptation of the historic drying facility for cultural purposes as well as fire protection of the Museum of Papermaking complex in Duszniki-Zdrój, along with the maintenance and digitisation of Museum collections.” Its total value is PLN 9 562 660 The local government of the Silesian Province provided own contribution to this task.

Project “Upgrade and adaptation” is highly complex and differentiated, the planned actions include: construction works, installation of water mist fire protection system, conservation of museum objects, purchase of exhibition-display equipment and digitalisation works. The task performance will contribute to, for instance, the adaptation of the historical facility to the needs of the disabled people, establishment of exhibition and educational-workshop rooms, security and protection of the historical facility and its exhibits.

Out of 277 applications submitted in the entire country, only 18 projects received a positive recommendation of the Committee for Project Selection. On the basis of this recommendation of 12 February 2014, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bogdan Zdrojewski, signed the decision on co-financing these projects. According to the opinion posted on the website of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, we can read that: “The selected projects stand out with, for example, their Poland-wide influence, complexity and high rank of projected actions – both in the field of protection and maintenance of national heritage as well as in the aspect of the adopted cultural and education programs. Therefore, doubtfully, the co-financed undertakings – with its unique nature – will actively contribute to the promotion of the Polish cultural accomplishment as well as to the development of soci0cultrual competence in recipients of planned investments.”