European Heritage Label 2015
The European Heritage Label is a European Union action and is based on a 2006 intergovernmental initiative. It is intended to enhance the sense of belonging of European citizens, especially the young, to the European Union based on common values, elements of the European history and cultural heritage, and respect of national and regional diversity and strengthening intercultural dialogue. Franja Partisan Hospital received the European Heritage Label in 2015 as the first site in Slovenia. The European Commission's explanation states: “The Franja Partisan Hospital is a unique example of healthcare of people in extreme situations, and a remarkable symbol of humanity, solidarity and companionship among the locals, the hospital staff and the injured soldiers of various nationalities, including the soldiers of the enemy army, during the Second World War. Due to the important role it played in the history and culture of Europe, the European Union entered it on the World Heritage List.” The Label additionally highlighted the symbolic significance of this monument site. Idrija Municipal Museum is systematically reinforcing awareness of our common European history among various target groups by preparing programmes, such as learning classes, guided tours, lectures, exhibitions and concerts, paying special attention to the young. A special programme called Education for Peace presents Franja Hospital as a memorial with an exceptional value of sending the message out.
2012 entry of Idrija Mercury Mine and Almadén on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The nomination of two exceptional mining sites, Idrija, Slovenia and Almadén, Spain, was successfully completed after six years of intensive work at the 36th regular meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Saint Petersburg (June–July 2012). The Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija were entered into the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List. It was assessed that the nominated site meets the condition of exceptional universal value, integrity and authenticity. Idrija and Almadén as two of the world's largest mercury mines significantly co-formed the world history of the modern age. The mercury produced at the two mines was used in the silver and gold mines of South America starting in the beginning of 16th century in amalgamation, a process of producing silver and gold, which came back to Europe as a wealth and promoted economic development and the development of science, art and culture in general. Idrija and Almadén has preserved the essential elements of the former mining order, which provide evidence of the material and symbolic level of technological achievements and the exchange of specific knowledge, as well as the international importance of mercury production for people's life – in the past, today and in the future. The Idrija Municipal Museum has contributed to the conservation of this heritage, it manages the monuments outlined on the List (Idrija “Kamšt”, Gewerkenegg Castle, Idrija Miner’s House) and significantly contributed to the preparation of the nomination documentation.
2015 Slovenia ICOM Award
The Slovenia ICOM Award encourages, popularises and promotes international networking of Slovenian museum thought and work. Idrija Municipal Museum had become one of the award winners for the promotion of ICOM's annual theme with an international project called Smuggling Anthologies. The theme connected three institutions in three countries (Slovenia, Croatia and Italy), each of them researching the activity of smuggling with their own approach. Idrija Municipal Museum presented its results with two exhibitions called “Smuggled Anthologies” and “Cheating from A to Z”, organising an international symposium, with the museum film-tale called “Melhiorca and Her Smuggling Pouch”, a museum story-hour called “Shhh, the Smugglers!”, and with the articles in the Smuggling Anthologies Reader and The Panorama of Idrija (Idrijski razgledi). The comprehensive research of the theme was awarded with actualisation of the importance and role of man’s pathways for and in a responsible society.
Pirnat Award 1993
The Pirnat Award is the highest prize in the Municipally of Idrija granted by its Municipal Council to individual, groups, organisations and communities for long-term successful and creative work, and for visible achievements in culture and art. Idrija Municipal Museum received it for successful and selfless work in the research and maintenance of the rich technical, historical and cultural heritage of mining in Idrija and the Municipally of Idrija, as well as the exemplary presentation of Idrija to numerous local and foreign visitors. The museum received the award on a municipal holiday on 1 October 1993, on the 40th anniversary of its operation.
Bevk Award 2013
The Municipality of Cerkno grants the Bevk Award and recognitions for specific achievements in various areas of social life, which make an important contribution to further development of the municipality. Idrija Municipal Museum received the award on 1 October 2013 for 50 years of exemplary management of Franja Partisan Hospital. Continued, planned and professional work of the museum in recent years has been crucial to preserve Franja Partisan Hospital, which today, also thanks to the museum, remains a symbol of international integration and resistance, and above all, a valuable reminder of humanity, nobility and companionship.
Jožef Mrak Award 2013
The Municipality of Idrija grants the Jožef Mrak Award for outstanding achievements in the individual areas of life and work. On 19 June 2013, the award went to the working group for the excellent preparation of the nomination to enter Idrija mining heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A director of Idrija Municipal Museum Ivana Leskovec was one of the group members who participated from the start in 2006 until the end in 2012, also leading the working group in the final period. The working group and many external associates prepared the nomination dossier, it was involved in the adoption of professional and legal acts for appropriate identification and formal protection of the heritage, participated in certain restoration works and preparation of the project documentation, led all the necessary procedures in Idrija, Slovenia and international institutions, while informing the local and general public about the diversity and importance of Idrija mining heritage. Based on the successfully work, the heritage of mercury in Almadén and Idrija were entered into the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List in 2012.
Luigi Micheletti Foundation Award 1997
The European Museum Forum, which operated under the aegis of the Council of Europe, granted the award of the Luigi Micheletti Foundation to the Idrija Municipal Museum on 19 April 1997 in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the best European museum of technical and industrial heritage in 1997. The museum received this prestigious recognition for setting up a permanent exhibition called “Five Centuries of the Mercury Mine and the Town of Idrija” and the careful conservation and presentation of numerous monuments of cultural and technical heritage in the Idrija and Cerkno regions.
Valvasor Award 2008
The authors – the curators and designers of the “Idrija Lace, a History Written in Thread” exhibition – Ivana Leskovec, MSc Mirjam Gnezda Bogataj, Marija Terpin Mlinar, Monika Milič and Andrej Furlan were awarded the highest Slovenian professional recognition in this sector – the Valvasor Award for 2008 granted by Slovenian Museum Society on 19 May 2009, for a comprehensively presented topic and an important achievement in the field of museum treasures. The exhibition shows the centuries-long tradition of Idrija lace and bobbin lacemaking in Idrija, placing Idrija on the Slovenian and European map of lacemaking centres. When setting up the exhibition, the museum cooperated with many domestic and foreign cultural and scientific institutions, as well as individuals who have helped with their knowledge in collecting material and establishing an exhibition.