Celebrating Archaeology and Museum Education: Highlights from Vučedol Culture Museum’s Recent Events

In celebration of European Archaeology Days, which took place from June 14th to 16th, the Vučedol Culture Museum curated an extensive program designed to engage audiences of all ages, including children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents.

The museum offered a diverse range of workshops, including “KidsTrench,” “Ar(T)chaeology,” and “Thousands of Fragments – Thousands of Years.” These activities provided participants with hands-on experiences and insights into archaeological practices. Visitors also had the opportunity to partake in social gatherings featuring coffee and discussions on archaeological research, gaining a deeper understanding of the work undertaken by archaeologists and museologists. Additionally, attendees explored the functions of unidentified artifacts from Vučedol in the “Artefact Inquiry” workshop, while children enjoyed the interactive “Vučedol Treasure Hunt.”

To enhance the experience, the museum provided free admission to all individual visitors and organized expert guidance for those interested. The event concluded with a relaxing jazz concert by Vedran Ružić and the Vedran Ružić Trio, offering a cultural and musical respite after a busy week.

On June 20th, the Vučedol Culture Museum hosted an expert meeting organized by ICOM’s International Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) from Croatia and Serbia. The meeting focused on museum education and featured a lecture by Dragan Kiurski, who spoke on “Museum Theater – a Communication Tool of the Museum.” This lecture explored innovative uses of theater as an educational tool in museums. The event also included a round table discussion on “Museum Education – the State and Challenges of the Profession – a View From the Neighborhood,” which provided valuable insights into current trends and challenges in the field.

The Vučedol Culture Museum presented its own initiatives in museum education during the meeting, emphasizing new trends and its approach to engaging visitors. Approximately 40 experts in museum education from Croatia and Serbia attended the event. The museum’s staff, including curator Petra Nikolić, senior curator Dr. sc. Mirna Šuljug, museum curator-pedagogue Krešimir Martinović, marketing expert Darko Bilandžić, and museum director Mirela Hutinec, played key roles in the discussions.

The European Archaeology Days in Croatia were organized by the Archaeological Museum of Zagreb, which served as the primary organizer for the event. The ICOM – CECA event held on June 20th was organized by ICOM – CECA Croatia and ICOM – CECA Serbia, with which Vučedol Culture Museum collaborated closely.

The Vučedol Culture Museum, along with the Vučedol Archaeological Site, was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2021.