KulturGutRetter (KGR) – A mechanism for rapid help for cultural heritage in crisis situations

In order to protect cultural heritage effectively and sustainably in all phases of a crisis, quickly available digital information is just as important as well-trained and confident decision-makers. While we are already well positioned for crisis prevention and aftercare, Germany lacks a mechanism to be able to provide effective support in the field of cultural heritage preservation in the concrete event of a crisis anywhere in the world.

In 2019, the project “KulturGutRetter (KGR) – A mechanism for rapid assistance for cultural heritage in crisis situations” was therefore launched on the initiative of the DAI. Together with the DAI, the RGZM, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), ArcHerNet and many other partners, the first steps were taken to develop an internationally networked mechanism consisting of full-time and volunteer experts with different skills in the rescue and protection of acutely threatened cultural assets.

With its expertise in the field of conservation/restoration, the project focus of the RGZM lies in the development and testing of scalable basic modules with which the initial preservation of mobile cultural property can be undertaken in a serial fashion. The development of scientifically validated “Minimal Standard Procedures” (MSP) for the emergency conservation of damaged cultural property and the technical construction of specific but at the same time easy-to-use conservation modules is designed to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage in the best possible way in the event of a disaster.

Addition goals include the collection and provision of “best practice examples”, the development of guidelines and the implementation of national and international workshops with the support of ArcHerNet and other participating institutions. 

The first rescue modules for photographic documentation, wet cleaning and the proper packaging/storage of mobile cultural heritage have already been completed. These rescue modules are being tested in a joint project with the National Museum in Khartoum. A set of these rescue modules is intended to support the establishment of the first fully equipped restoration workshop in Sudan and to serve as a sustainable structure for the protection of cultural property on site.