Check against delivery
Our heritage, our culture, our future
Her Majesty The Queen
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is an honour to be hosting this year’s conference on behalf of The International Council of Museum’s – Conservation Comitee. The largest conference in the world for conservators.
So on behalf of the Danish Government: Welcome to the 18th triennial ICOM-CC Conference. Welcome to Denmark.
Heritage is priceless. We cannot afford to let it go. I am sure that all of you present here today share this view.
Common cultural heritage is a vital part of our identity. And the preservation of our cultural and natural heritage is an essential part of protecting a sense of identity. A sense of who we are.
We live in a changing times. The economy is changing. The climate is changing. The labour market is changing as a result of new technology.
The answer to this exponential development is not simply trying to keep up with it. To catch up. The answer is to search inward and deeply. To clarify the innermost values in a culture that is really ours.
As the French author, André Malraux once uttered: “Who wants to read in the future, must scroll in the past.” There is a deep resonance in Malraux’s words, even today.
To prepare for the future, we must look to the past. Study the roots of our civilizations. Become conscious of history.
Threats towards our heritage
Protecting our historical monuments, our paintings, our nature – that is no easy task. Our cultural and natural heritage is threatened by various factors. Climate change, air pollution, politics, international political conflicts - and you name it.
In some areas of Greenland and Siberia, climate change is threatening to make areas of permafrost thaw. This means that natural heritage - such as frozen mammut remnants – might disappear from these areas.
Another example is the worlds’ oldest bible, “Codex Sinaiticus”. The pages in the book are showing clear signs of degradation. Yellowish spots are spreading and the ink is flowing out. Danish researchers have found that the damage is caused by heat and humidity, also due to the climate change.
Another important threat is the conscious attacks on historical sites in current war-zones. Attacks being made by extremists and terrorists aiming to erace the memories of entire nations. Who could fail to be horrified by the destruction of the monuments of Palmyra in Syria or the 15,000 years old magnificent Buddhas in Bamiyan, Afghanistan?
To preserve the world's cultural heritage we must stand together. Only through international cooperation can we find solutions that protect the common history.
Research is needed
The next 5 days are important. Through presentations, workshops and knowledge-sharing it is my hope that science will show us new ways and new methods to protect the treasures of the past.
As the Minister for Higher Education and Science, I am proud to say, that we have a high level of research within the Danish conservation community. Allow me to mention an example. Maybe some of you are familiar with the famous Skagen-painter P.S. Krøyer. Krøyer is famous for his beach pictures such as ‘Summer Evening on the Beach of Skagen’.
In this painting you see a married couple walking together – quietly and thoughtful - in the blue moonlight. The light and atmosphere in this picture is exquisite.
Unfortunately several of Krøyer’s paintings are in danger of losing their colour.
However, a group of Danish researchers have identified a possible explanation. It turns out that the zinc white pigment, producing the beautiful blue light, was also Krøyer’s Achilles heel. Opposite to the titanium pigment which was typically used at the time, zinc white is prone to cracking.
The discovery changes the way these paintings are to be treated.
The example is only one out of many on how important science is to provide the best possible methods and materials for preservation.
Let us join forces
Like Krøyer’s thoughtful couple strolling on the beach of Skagen, we are not alone. We are all part of a big world and a tremendious history to which we are responsible.
First we must understand where we come from. Only then we can begin to find the answers for the future. And take charge of the rapid global development.
This years’ conference coincides with the 50th anniversary of the ICOM-CC. Let us all pay tribute to it. And let us join our efforts to ensure that our cultural heritage – this mosaic of identities, faiths and aspiration – nourishes all cultural ballast for the future.
I wish you a fruitful conference.
Thank you for your attention.