28 Castles and Museums Co-operation

The Association of Castles and Museums around the Baltic Sea was founded in July 1991, which makes it the oldest cooperative relations established after the fall of Iron Curtain. The originator of the idea was a French businessman who was inspired by the enormous structure of an old castle founded in the 1270s by the Teutonic Order in Malbork.

The purpose of this association is to increase cooperation between related institutions in the countries in the Baltic area. At the annual general meeting, which takes place in Malbork, members discuss problems and share opinions. The co-operation of castles and museums has emphasised the fate shared over the centuries by the Baltic countries. Trade has united us and wars and borders have divided us. Those of us who work at the castles and museums have a special obligation to impart the broad historical knowledge held by our old buildings and the collections of our museums. Our goal is to present to the future generations the dramatic history from our common past and preferably in a way providing the opportunity to form a colourful and fertile basis for a common, peaceful future in stead of serving narrow, national purposes and sustaining old enemy images.

The best example of our activity is a poster display on 41 castles in the Baltic countries, which has previously been exhibited in Malbork. In the autumn of 2003 it was on view at Koldinghus Castle and subsequently at Senderborg Castle. This summer, it will be shown at Nyborg Castle.

The members are presented in the book "Castles around the Baltic Sea".