International Museum Day 2022, presentation of the digital educational platform “Searching for the heritage of the 21st century in 19th century Macedonia”

The Foundation for the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), in the context of the celebration of the International Museum Day on Wednesday 18 May 2022, presented for the first time to the public the digital educational platform “Seeking the heritage of the 21st century in 19th century Macedonia” with the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Ms. Zetta M. Makri as keynote speaker. The event was addressed by the Vice-Regional Head of Digital Governance, Mr. Angelos Haristeas and the Vice-Regional Head of Health and Social Solidarity, Ms. Melina Dermenzopoulou, while the Deputy Minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, sent a greeting.

Ms. Makri referred extensively to the importance of linking the Museums with the new educational innovation of Skills Workshops and the upgrading of educational work in school and museum education through the use of new digital applications. The President of IMMA, Professor Vasilis Gounaris, highlighted the scientific and educational work of IMMA, its progress through time, as well as the technological progress that contributed to the museum experience. The Director of IMMA and Programme Coordinator, Art Historian, Ms. Fani Tsatsia, focused in her speech on the Museum’s “opening” towards new technologies and digital media, always with a focus on the connection between the historical past and the contemporary museum present and the need to highlight the museum collections through digital programmes. Ms Stavroula Mavrougenis, Deputy Director of the University of Thessaloniki. Professor Styriana Mavrogynous, Director of KEMIT and Scientific Officer of the Programme, presented the educational and learning objectives of the new educational platform, which, thanks to the easy-to-understand and interactive way of presenting historical events, allows students and teachers to approach history in a modern and entertaining way. The interdisciplinary team of EKETA that worked on the project was represented by Mrs. Georgia Georgiou, Archaeologist – Museologist – Research Assistant ITIL/ECETA and Mr. Yannis Dimitriadis, Software Engineer – Research Assistant ITIL/ECETA, who presented in detail the navigation interface of the educational platform, the different levels of the game, but also the possibility for users to travel through smart devices and PCs to Europe in the 19th century.

The project was implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IPTIL) of the National Centre for Research and Technological Development (CERTH) and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, in the framework of the Call for Expression of Interest of the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the grant and/or sponsorship of actions of Museums, Galleries and Collections 2021. The aim of the project is to narrate the evolution of the historical landscape and historical identity of 19th century Macedonia, as well as to provide free access to the Greek and English-speaking public to the years of preparation and development of the revolutionary movements.