Best Practices to Shape Resilient and Sustainable Futures
At CTA Paris, MEMORIST and its division La Reliure du Limousin exemplified the significance of transmitting best practices in heritage conservation by illustrating on the experiences gained from projects conducted in South Africa for the University of Cape Town and the Iziko Museums of South Africa.
Interview with Théophile de Bonnaventure, CEO of La Reliure du Limousin.
Adèle Parrilla (MEMORIST) & Théophile de Bonnaventure (La Reliure du Limousin) during their keynote at the Carrousel du Louvre.
Corinne Estrada: What are the keys to a successful collaboration with a cultural institution in Africa?
Théophile de Bonnaventure: To establish strong partnerships with African stakeholders, it's crucial to build personal connections through face-to-face meetings and maintain a local presence.
Our recommendations: Emphasize humility, respect local customs, and value mutual learning. Celebrate achievements, learn from challenges, and prioritise cultural sensitivity, respect, and perseverance for meaningful, sustainable collaborations.
C. Estrada: What are the Reliure du Limousin’s projects in Africa?
Th. de Bonnaventure: La Reliure du Limousin, in collaboration with our mother company MEMORIST, have restored 2000 Senegalese manuscripts, a 7-meter South African rock art piece for IZIKO museum, and the University of Cape Town's archives post-fire. In Mauritius, we restored 176 historical newspaper volumes. We also collaborated with the Robben Island and Nelson Mandela museums, preserving African heritage.
C. Estrada: What were the main steps in project management?
Th.de Bonnaventure: We began by creating a project plan with the local team, which took up to six months. Afterward, we focused on local recruitment and training. Overall, it took about two years on average to complete a full project, ensuring the team was well-equipped to execute tasks effectively
C. Estrada: What were the main challenges in completing your project?
Th.de Bonnaventure: Our project faced challenges in encouraging collaboration with local teams rather than relying on European expertise. We focused on: knowledge transfer, training, and empowering the local community.
C. Estrada: What international projects are in the pipeline?
Th.de Bonnaventure: In addition to our many ongoing projects in South Africa, La Reliure du Limousin is preserving the Jewish community archives in Tunis and restoring a 11th-century manuscripts in Chinguetti, Mauritania. MEMORIST undertakes additional projects globally, focusing on preserving cultural heritage in various countries.