The aim of the “Joining the Shards” project is to enhance the competences of museum and cultural institution professionals in the field of conservation of ceramic artefacts, particularly those affected by armed conflicts, as well as in historical narration and education concerning ceramic heritage destroyed as a result of warfare.
The project promotes innovative methods and modern technologies in ceramic restoration, while also building awareness among museum professionals of how to effectively and engagingly communicate the tragic histories of fragile artefacts and involve audiences in these narratives. In addition, the project foresees the development of universal guidelines for ceramic conservation and mechanisms for incorporating previously unexhibited cultural heritage related to these issues into permanent and temporary exhibitions, which may later be used by interested museum institutions.
The project is implemented by six partners: Fondazione MIC – Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza (Lead Partner, Italy), Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden(Germany), Muzeum Ceramiki w Bolesławcu (Poland), Музей Ханенків. The Khanenko Museum (Ukraine), CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche(Italy), and Foundation of War Childhood Museum (Bosnia and Herzegovina / Netherlands). Each institution contributes unique expertise to the collaboration — from conservation and technological research to museum education, exhibition narrative design, and audience engagement activities.
Over the course of two years, the partners will organise joint workshops, specialist training sessions, study visits, technological pilot projects, and activities related to developing new narrative approaches around collections. They will also test innovative conservation solutions and methods for increasing audience engagement.
The project is expected to generate tangible social and institutional outcomes, including the activation of previously unexhibited collections, better alignment of museum professionals’ competences with the needs of the contemporary cultural sector, and the development of more engaging and accessible exhibitions. At least 40 specialists will participate in the activities, and the results will be presented during local and international events, as well as through digital publications and data compilations. Practical guidelines and a publication presenting modern ceramic conservation technologies, together with conservation and exhibition plans for participating museums, will also be produced.
The project emerged from the need to combine specialist conservation expertise with modern approaches to communication and exhibition-making. Ceramic heritage affected by conflict often remains difficult to interpret, rarely displayed publicly, and insufficiently used for educational purposes. At the same time, advances in conservation, digital, and narrative technologies are creating entirely new opportunities for museums. This initiative combines vocational education, heritage protection, and the strengthening of European cultural memory. It demonstrates that conservation is not only about saving objects, but also about restoring histories, emotions, and meanings that can foster contemporary dialogue about memory, conflict, and shared European heritage.
The JOINING THE SHARDS project focuses on strengthening the competences of museum and cultural institution professionals in protecting ceramic heritage affected by wars and conflicts. Activities include research, international exchange of experience, workshops, study visits, and the testing of innovative conservation and restoration methods. The project also develops skills in narration, storytelling, modern exhibition practices, and audience engagement.
As part of the project, practical ceramic conservation guidelines, a publication presenting modern technologies, and mid-term conservation and exhibition plans for participating museums will be developed. The result will be a strengthening of the organisational capacity of cultural institutions and an improvement in the qualifications and motivation of their teams.
“Joining the Shards – Upskilling of museum operators for the valorization and narration of EU ceramic heritage impacted by war” project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme.
