Minutes of the 86th meeting of the Museum Council – special meetings
October 7, 2009, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Setberg, National Museum of Iceland
Present: Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, chairman, Halldór Björn Runólfsson, Sveinn Kristinsson, AlmaDís Kristinsdóttir and Rakel Halldórsdóttir.
1. Copyright issues of collections. The new Myndstef fee schedule was discussed. HBR, ADK and RH had a meeting with Knútur Bruun, chairman of Myndstef, and other representatives of the organization on October 5, where Myndstef representatives introduced the new fee schedule and discussions took place about its value and possible agreements between museums and Myndstef. It was agreed to request a meeting with a representative of the Ministry of Education to discuss issues related to the new fee schedule. It was then agreed that a letter would subsequently be prepared to the Ministry of Education and Culture seeking cooperation on agreements between museums and Myndstef, seeking ways to ensure general access to Iceland's cultural heritage and unhindered promotion of Icelandic art by museums. It was agreed to have Erla B. Árnadóttir, attorney at law, review the content of the letter.
2. Bruun Rasmussen – export of cultural property for sale. Comments from experts from the National Museum of Iceland, the National Gallery of Iceland, the National Archives of Iceland, the National Library of Iceland – University Library and the Icelandic Design Museum were reviewed regarding the artifacts that the Danish auction house Bruun Rasmussen plans to export from the country as part of the sale. With reference to Act No. 105/2001 on the export of cultural property and the return of cultural property to other countries, the Museum Council believes that permission should not be granted for the export of the copy of the Þorlák Bible that was examined. In light of the experts' comments, the Museum Council believes that the artifact falls under Article 4 of the Act, as it concerns relics that are considered national treasures and have special value for Icelandic national culture. Experts do not oppose the export of other artifacts that were examined. It was agreed to send a letter to the Danish Embassy in Iceland on this subject and also to point out that in accordance with the aforementioned law, the owners of the objects that are planned to be exported from the country must send a formal request to the Museums Council to that effect. It was also agreed to send a letter to the Ministry of Education and Culture in which the Museums Council urges the government to ensure ownership and preservation of the Þorlák Bible in question at the National Library. The Ministry, in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will also be sent the case documents for information. A form for the export of cultural property that has been published on the Museums Council's website in connection with the case was approved by the Council. It was agreed to seek information from the Ministry of Education and Culture on the provisions of Act No. 105/2001 regarding the return of cultural property, but there is no information available that gives any reason to suspect that foreign works among those examined have been illegally imported into the country.
3. Icelandic Aviation Museum – planned changes in ownership. The Town of Akureyri's intentions to acquire a 30% share in the Icelandic Aviation Museum were discussed. According to the draft waiver, it is not expected that the town will have any operational obligations attached to the share. It was agreed to examine the matter further and request more information about the reasons and reasons for the proposed changes in ownership of the museum.
4. Böðvar Kvaran Library. The subject of discussion was that the heirs of Böðvar Kvaran plan to sell his library out of the country. An opinion has been sought from the lawyers of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science on how the provisions of Act No. 105/2001 should be interpreted in such a case with regard to the value clause. It was agreed to follow the Ministry's response. The matter will be monitored.
5. Next meeting and other matters.
Other issues:
Pourquoi Pas? MH presented information about alleged violations of the law related to the wreck of Pourquoi Pas?, where it is believed that French and Irish parties have dived to the wreck, which is protected by the Icelandic Archaeological Conservation Agency, and taken artifacts abroad. The Icelandic Archaeological Conservation Agency is investigating whether this information is correct. It was agreed to monitor the case with regard to the recovery of the artifacts according to the provisions of Act No. 105/2001.
The next meeting is scheduled according to the 2009 meeting schedule, Thursday, October 29th, from 3-5 p.m.
There was no further discussion and the meeting adjourned at 17:00/RH