In implementation of the project “Creation of Space, Plan and Model for Digitizatаlization of Cultural Exhibits and Archive” of the Museum of Humor and Satire, Gabrovo, financed by the National Culture Fund under the Program for Restoration and Development of State, Regional and Municipal Cultural Institutes, three of our museum experts, together with the contracted creator of the planned artistic production, visited the cultural institution NOESIS in Thessaloniki, Greece in order to exchange experience on the subject of content digitization.
NOESIS is a science and technology center located in the Thermi area of Thessaloniki. The museum has been actively involved in the preservation of the Greek technological heritage for more than 20 years. Parallel to the technological exhibitions, NOESIS has various types of unique high-class facilities such as an impressive 360° dome planetarium, 3D simulation rooms and a cosmotheater for projecting films and educational programs on the largest screen in all of Greece, with the respectable 23 meters in length and 17 meters high.
Part of the project management team that participated in the visit from May 19, 2024 to May 23, 2024 included Bogdana Dencheva (Museum Pedagogue), Margarita Dorovska (Curator), Petyo Yordanov (Head of Tech Department), as well as Anton Ivanov (Graphic Designer and contractor for the creative activities within the project). The main part of the program took place on May 21st and 22nd, when the NOESIS specialists presented their organization, goals, team, equipment, approach and practice in planning and implementing the process of digitization of cultural exhibits, including the online platforms they work with, as well as the software and standards they use when digitizing archives.
Prior to their visit at NOESIS, on May 20, 2024, the MHS team visited 2 more specialized cultural institutions in Thessaloniki in order to observe other types of good practices: the Olympic Museum and the Museum of Cinema and its library, with which the foundations of a future partnership on the future of specialized books were also laid.
During their time at NOESIS, the MHS team had the opportunity to ask questions about the planning, organization, presentation and visitor awareness of all the current exhibitions, some of which on the themes of vintage cars, artificial intelligence, technologies in Ancient Greece. Part of the engaging expositions were the eco zoo without animals (yes, it’s possible!) as well as the 3D simulation of a rollercoaster up and down the Great Wall of China, which NOESIS offers to its visitors of all ages and which we, as guardians of laughter, whole-heartedly recommend to our fellow citizens traveling to Greece for their traditional summer vacation this year.
The MHS employees were accompanied and guided on the subject of digitization by the incredible hosts Mrs. Olympia Ralli, Expert “Recording and Documentation of Exhibits”, Mr. Kostas Tanis, Director “Exhibitions and Operations” and Mr. Evangelos Aftonidis, Director “Financial and Administrative Services”. The NOESIS team donated a Greek comic book to the MHS museum library, and the two teams started talks about a future joint exhibition with works from the MHS fund on the theme of new technologies.
We express gratitude to our NOESIS partners – for their time and invaluable advice. We will forever remember their smiles, hospitality, and their key role in inspiring new motivation and strength in the final phase of our project.
We cannot wait to welcome them in Gabrovo as soon as possible!
