The Russian Railway Museum joined the European railway museums Manifesto

The Manifesto was signed prior to the International Museum Day (celebrated on May 18)

Decision to approve and sign the Manifesto was made by several largest railway museums from Spain, Sweden and other countries simultaneously. In view of the complex epidemiologic situation, railway museums managers share the same challenges. United efforts of the museums will help these unique cultural institutions to contribute to the common goal.

The absolute priority is the safety of visitors and compliance with all the requirements imposed, says the Manifesto. In the meantime, it is supposed to use large museums’ advantages to overcome the impact of the pandemic. The cultural world has to seek new ways of interacting with society in this new period. Scientific evidence shows that museum visits have preventative and therapeutic effects.

At the same time, in the near months when the whole world will gradually quit the quarantine only spacious museum facilities will be considered as absolutely safe. The spaciousness of railway museums, often housed in old railway facilities and historic steam depots, and which sometimes feature open spaces, makes it easier to avoid overcrowding and respect the recommended social distancing.

Railway museums offer the spaciousness of their unique facilities, historically bound with travels, to provide the therapeutic effect, generating the necessary atmosphere of peace and quiet.

“Museums will promote more than ever the use of digital tools, which already proved to be efficient social and educational instruments essential for the conservation of their cultural legacy. The Russian Railway Museum has already presented more than 25 thematic video tours with total views number close to half a million. ”, said the Russian Railway Museum director, Mr. Vladimir Odintsov.

Within the frameworks of the Manifesto, the participants agreed to establish joint museum action strategies that enable them to preserve a common heritage, as well as unique vehicles.

Railway museums will continue their contributing to the recovery of cultural activities in Europe and helping citizens to continue trusting in the use of the railway as the healthiest, safest and most environmentally friendly mode of public transport, and the one that is best able to adapt to contingencies.