EUROPEAN CULTURE THROUGH ART AND RESEARCH

INTERVIEW PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR ANTIQUES’ MAINTANCE

POLAND

On Tuesday, February 25th, within the framework of the Comenius project „European culture through art and research„ our students met with representatives of our local museum. Students participated in a presentation on the preservation of monuments and had the opportunity to ask their questions.

What is the archaeologist work?An archaeologist discovers and studies old exhibits such as costumes, dishes or human bones.

Why do we need conservation of monuments? We need it to know better and keep the history of the past.

When did preserving monuments begin? It begun in the twentieth century.

Is it difficult to preserve the monuments?

It is a process which takes at least few monts so it is a long lasting and delicate work.

How do you restore old clothes?

We clean and fill the missing pieces, occasionally adding new material.

The students listened to our guests with great interest and viewed an interesting presentation.

Study and preservation of the outfits

The brass bell belonging to the wife of Siegfried II Before and after restoration.

Old medallions found in the sarcophags

An old paintings from Passawa and the medal

from Pszczyna

A portrait of

a middle-class woman.

Pottery vessels from the second half of the

XIII-XIV century, discovered during

excavations.

Vessels from

the Early Iron Age

Excavations of Werner Pierzyna,

from 1986.

Burials discovered in 1986 at the southern wall of

nonexistent church of St. Cross

Restoration of old documents

TURKEYThis interview was conducted by a museum staff in

Polatlı. The students in the Turkish School asked questions about the history and legends of Polatlı.

What was the name of the civilazation in this region?The Phrygion is the first civilization in the history and their capital is the Gordion .

Is there a legend about Gordion ?

Yes, the first king of the Phrygian Gordios tied a rope

and this has changed the whole destiny of the world.

What is that ?According to Gordios , until this rope will be untied his land will be in safe. And the man who unites the rope will rule the Asia.

And who untied the rope ?

Alexander the Great came to Anotolia and tried to untie but he couldn’t. And he got angry then he cut the rope. However, he tricked and his last conquest when he was 33.

What kind of ancient things can be seen in Gordion?

Gordion museum is of the most important museum in Turkey. There are mugs, cups, some belongings of the ancient people a skeleton of a person and so on. There are a few tumulus but the most important tumulus is the one which has King Midas graveyard.

Who was King Midas? He was the son of Gordios.

Why is he an important figure? There are a lot of myths about him. But the most

famous one is that he had huge ears. Like a donkey.

What is the legend ? There was a song contest between Apollon and Pan. King Midas was the judge. After the contest, Midas choose Pan and Apollon got very angry. He said “ I am the god of the good music and you don’t understand good music and huge donkey ears suits you and he turned Midas’s ear into donkey ear .”

Midas hid his ears for a while, but one day while his barber was cutting his hair, he saw his ears. Midas threatened him not to tell anybody. But the barber couldn’t stand and went to a well. He

screamed through the well. But he ignored one thing. The voice in the well travelled by the echoes and everyone on the land heard that secret.

Is there another legend about Kind Midas?

King Midas wanted to be very rich and he prayed God about this all the time. And God cursed him and everything he touched turned into gold. He couldn’t touch anything and he could not eat anything. He turned his daughter into gold, too. He understood his fault and started to pray God for his daughter. God forgave him and the curse was over.

ITALY

Interview with Professor Francesca D'Arpizio, belonging to the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, an expert in the history of Città Sant’ Angelo. The pupils of the first class have put 10 questions on the history of the church of San Francesco.

When was it built the church of San Francesco?It was built in 1327 by the Basilian Fathers,

originally belonging to a very large monastery.

What was it its original form?

It was originally formed by two aisles, and its interior decoration was very simple, subsequently, in 1600 was decorated with Baroque elements.

When was it built the external portal?It was built in 1327 and is the only one in Italy made by polychrome marble, there are represented geometric shapes, floral and two portraits of people, a man and a woman.

What is it still preserved of the ancient building?

We still have in good state of preservation the external structure of the church, the portal, lancet windows and the first floor of the bell tower.

When have been painted the paintings in the church?"The Madonna del Carmine", "The Assumption and" The Madonna of Loreto " have been painted around 1600. "The Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth" has been painted around 1500 and "Our Lady of the Rosary" has been painted around 1870 painting by Paul de Cecco, Angolan artist.

Which paintings has more historical value among them?

The most valuable painting among them is: "The Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth" painted by students belonging to the workshop of Raphael, in 1500

Which paintings have been restored?The restored paintings are: "The Madonna of Carmine", "The Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth" and "Our

Lady of the Rosary".

What is it the making technique used for the flooring of the church? And when is it dated?The making technique used for flooring the church has been a mosaic, dating back to 1800.

What is it the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary?

It is a voluntary association that creates works of charity for the poor and finances restoration of historical important buildings.

Why was the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary important for this church?

Because it has carried out the restoration of paintings and some internal parts of the church.

SPAIN

MARISA CANCELA, MANAGER OF PABLO SERRANO MUSEUM

What did you want to be when you were a child?I studied Art History and I remember that my grandfather introduced me in the art world, showing me pictures and he made me think.

The first option for working was teaching

Why are you working in the museum?Because I love art and many years ago I had the possibility to pass a Civil Servant exam to work at the museum.

What is the best thing in your job?The best thing is to think and to feel that my

effort is for all people, for all aragonees and foreign people. I want to teach, I want to communicate everything related with our artist to another persons I mean visitors, schoolers, and so on.

I would like that when the visitors finish museum visiting, they understand their history and in this way to create a more cultured society a justice society, and they feel proud to be a part of their own history.

What is the worse thing?It´s the backstage I mean all things that I have to do to obtain some government money, some

exhibitions, to fill lots of application forms, etc.

How long have you been the master?

Fourteen years.

What is the topic, the thematic of this museum?The museum is dedicated to Pablo Serrano´s job and his wife painting, Juana Francés. But it´s a Contemporany Art Museum.It was opened in 1995 thanks to Pablo Serrano generosity. He could the maintined of his job was here in Zaragoza. The years passed and the museum grew up I mean the building and the exhibitions.

How much cost to come into the museum?The entrance is free. Cuture must be free.How many people work at the museum?In this crisis moment just only 18 persons are

part of the museum staff.

Is it open all week?

Yes, excepted on Monday. Monday is closed.

Has the museum got any relationship with others museums?Yes we are in contact with other museums in order to show different exhibitions and other forms of art as music concerts in the terrace.

Can you tell us some story?Yes I remember one little boy that one week after he visited the museum, he came back with his own plasticin sculptures. He wanted that I made an exhibition with them. It was fantastic, maybe he will be a great artist in the future, who knows?You have been so kind so thank you very much and we want to give you this present. It´s a handmade braselet.Thanks a lot!

This project has been funded with the support of the European Comission. This publication reflects the views only of the autor and the Comission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.