From the Universitat de València we are aware that this situation is complicated for the families affected by the DANA. And, even when the human and material losses are high, we want to bring a little bit of hope by helping people to preserve their memories. With that aim, some institution have formed an alliance under the motto “Salvem les fotos” (“Let's save the photos”), a project dedicated to rescue and restore the familiar memories and treasures that have been damaged by this tragedy.
We estimate that thousands of photos and hundreds of albums urgently need cleaning and stabilization. And, later in a second phase, a complete restoration.
To make this project come true, we need donations to cover the following essential goods:
- In situ materials and equipment: we need tables and other materials, as well as gloves, masks and, if possible, lab coats to protect the volunteers.
- Transport and vehicle rental: For the distribution of supplies and photo collection in different locations.
- Compensation of the time and effort: for those professionals that do not have the backup of an institution, as the work could prolong for several months given the slow and careful nature of restauration works.
- Lodging: for the volunteers who work for different days in faraway locations in the rescue and cleaning phases.
- Contingency funds for unexpected costs. As curators, restorers and cultural heritage professionals, we can't heal wounded people, but we have the aptitude to rescue and conserve their memories.
This project is being carried out by the alliance of the five public valencian universities under the name Xarxa d'Universitats Públiques Valencianes per a la Cultura, the project Grupo Español de Conservación (GE-IIC), the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Museu Valencià d'Etnologia (L'ETNO).
Links:
