Luigi Micheletti Award

The XVIII edition of the Luigi Micheletti Award goes to the Military History Museum of National Army, located in Dresden. The ceremony took place in Bursa (Turkey). The rich programme (seminars, workshops, visits of the city) culminated in the presentation of the candidates (21 museums, from 14 European country) and in the delivery of the Prize to Matthias Rogg, Director of the Military History Museum. Representing the Luigi Micheletti Foundation were René Capovin and Giovanni Tampalini. A strong delegation from the European Museum Academy, which was responsible for the selection and assessment of candidates, was also present.

Opened in 2012, the Military History Museum has been selected for his ability to tell eight hundred years of military history from a non-militaristic point of view. As written in the judges report, "it is a museum that encapsulates the principles of the EU, unity in diversity and peace. [...]. …It is not a hymn for the bravery of ancestors, but a very honest witness of the past and of the present". The museum tells the tragedy of war, showing its organizational and technological aspects, but focusing on the sufferings of individuals and communities. The path starts from the rubble of Dresden, a city symbol of the destructiveness of modern conflicts. The permanent exhibition, curated by Gorch Pieken, is the result of a long work, which involved a large group of experts and stakeholders. The museum is destined to become a point of reference also from the architectural point of view, thanks to the great work of restoration and renewal signed by Daniel Libeskind.

The large audience had the opportunity to enjoy an array of very interesting museum projects. The other finalists were: Musée Lalique (France), Museum of Douro (Portugal), Regional Museum of Maribor (Slovenia), Museum of Energy of Bursa (Turkey), Parque de la Ciencias of Granada (Spain).

During the ceremony, it took also place the delivery of the DASA Award, a Prize that encourages initiatives of particular originality. The DASA, the first winner of the Luigi Micheletti Award (in 1996), is the only exhibition fully dedicated to safety at work in Europe. The award went to the Parque de las Ciencias, Granada, an impressive science museum and science center, where visitors can also find a section devoted to health in the workplace.

In 2014 the Ceremony will be held in the magnificent setting of the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, winner of the XVII Luigi Micheletti Award.

See you in Glasgow!

PS

The closing date for application is 1 July 2013.