More details
You’ll find answers here to common questions about the conference. If you need any other information, send us an email.
What is it?
The Vital Spark 2007 will provide an opportunity to share experience and best practice in interpretation from around the world. It will be the only international interpretation conference to be held outside North America in 2007.
There will be a high quality programme of international speakers, workshops and site visits, as well as evening entertainment showcasing the best of Highland culture, and opportunities to explore the Highlands on pre- and post-conference tours. The conference will also provide an opportunity for local people involved in interpretation to participate in a world-class event as well as offering the host audiences the chance to learn from wider interpretation experience.
There are four themes to the conference:
- The Vital Spark: interpretation as the driver for cultural regeneration
- Creativity and innovation: interpreting remote fragile areas
- Voices in interpretation: languages, cultures and communities
- Authenticity and re-interpretation: traditional icons in the 21st century
The four themes of The Vital Spark 2007 will be explored through presentations by a range of speakers of international repute; workshops to discuss and define various aspects of good practice and development relating to the themes; and site visits to experience best practice and disseminate information. The entertainment programme will enhance the themes through access to Highland and Gaelic culture, using music and song, dance, food and drink.
It is also hoped that, as part of the conference, there will be an update of the Banff (Alberta) Declaration. This is a statement drawn up 20 years ago that sets out the unanimous opinion of the First World Congress on Heritage Presentation and Interpretation.
What does the programme include?
- Six keynote addresses from speakers of international prominence
- Three days of sessions featuring a wide range of speakers, including parallel sessions of workshops and talks, exploring key issues in a range of fields
- A varied programme of high quality entertainment, walks and site visits
- Lots of opportunities to network informally and to enjoy traditional Highland music, food and drink
A number of speakers of international standing will give keynote or workshop papers that will relate to the four themes and stimulate discussion both within formal sessions and during the time given over to networking. They are:
- Professor Sam Ham, Director of the Centre for International Training and Outreach, University of Idaho, Moscow ID, USA
- Dr Jim Hunter, author, historian, commentator, expert in rural development and former chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Inverness, Scotland, UK
- Prof Jane James, Head of Cultural Tourism and Festival & Event Management, Flinders University, Adelaide SA, Australia
- Alastair McIntosh, Writer, broadcaster, campaigning academic, visiting professor, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Shonaig Macpherson, Chair, National Trust for Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- John Pastorelli, Interpreter and interpretive trainer, Sydney NSW, Australia
- Jette Sandahl, Director, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, Wellington, New Zealand
- Susan Strauss, Storyteller, children’s author, wildlife interpreter, trainer, Bend OR, USA
Why is it happening?
The aim of interpretation is to encourage people to develop a greater understanding of, and concern for, our natural and cultural heritage. To ‘interpret’ means ‘to give meaning to’ and as people it is one of the most important things we can do in terms of the environment we have inherited and will pass on to forthcoming generations. We interpret our past and present lives and surroundings in order to understand who we are, where we have come from, and where we may be going.
In our surroundings, there are many places, buildings, objects, events and people that have a special meaning. Even the ordinary and everyday has meaning – often hidden, sometimes surprising, but always relevant. This conference will celebrate the wonderfully rich heritage of the Highlands, explaining how we communicate the many different aspects of our natural surroundings and our culture and showcasing examples of best practice.
Who is it for?
We anticipate that this conference will be of immense value to people involved in interpretation at many different levels and in many different areas. For example,
- practitioners, specifically in the business and practice of planning and delivering interpretation at an international level. Such people are often extensively involved in interpreting the cultural heritage of their own communities, others are closely involved with interpreting the culture and social fabric of communities ‘at the edge’ or in remote and fragile areas;
- academics, researchers and students, usually associated with universities and colleges and concerned with the teaching, the study of or learning about interpretation, often as part of or linked to courses in conservation, visitor management, heritage management, or tourism;
- local government departments, agencies of government and non-profit organisations with direct responsibilities for managing natural history and cultural history properties at which interpretation plays a part in the presentation of the site and the management of visitors;
- service providers who range from interpretive and design consultants, writers, artists, poets, and sculptors to those with other primary interests such as architects, landscape architects, engineers, management and marketing consultants whose work embraces or interacts with interpretation; and
- community and special interest groups who may work with a specific place or a particular subject, and for whom interpretation plays an important part in the wider understanding of their area of field of interest. Often these are linked to the subjects covered by the themes of the conference, particularly cultural heritage and community regeneration.
What do I do now?
You can book online here. This link will open a new window on the website of Solas Events, who are handling the conference administration. If you need any other information, send us an email.