Sonderband 2. International Council on Archives. Dritte Europäische Archivkonferenz, Wien 11. bis 15. Mai 1993. Tagungsprotokolle (1996)

2. Session /Séance. Regional (trans-border) Cooperation / Coopération régionale (transfrontaliere) - Sturm, Joachim: Perspectives for trans-border regional Cooperation: The Case of the Upper Rhine Zone / L’entente Rhénane d’archivistes municipaux (Erasm) (english 123 - français 134)

2. Session/Séance: Sturm, Trans-border Cooperation: Upper Rhine Zone

The choice of the acronym ERASM, moveover, signifies that its desire to learn from others and to enhance itself professionally is well founded. The exchange which has been established amongst municipal archives in the Upper Rhine and which is also inspired by the great Rhenish humanist, Desiderius, called Erasmus of Rotterdam, should also be looked upon as a cultural initiative which aims to strengthen the ties arising from research into a common past and culture. Article 2 of the constitution specifically mentions the formation of a body of studies and research in remembrance of that Rhenish intellectual community and of the welcome given to scholars in towns on both sides of the Upper Rhine. By this means ERASM works towards a cultural rapprochement, which is, moreover, one stone in the erection of a European community paying regard to the distinctive character of archive services and their contribution to historical research. Nevertheless in pursuing this aim of weaving closer links between municipal archives on both sides of the Rhine in France, Germany and Switzerland and beyond them in Luxembourg, searchers and historical research should not be overlooked. The furtherance of municipal archives by way of educational lectures, publications or catalogues such as are mentioned in Article 2 of the constitution are aimed at the cultural enrichment of the whole Upper Rhine region. It is for this reason that ERASM remains, in principle, open to each and everyone, who considers themselves involved with the archives in the region and their problems. Uniquely, by holding out its hand to all those interested in the history and archives of the region, ERASM has opportunities of increasing its andience and of becoming just that cultural instrument which its founder members had in mind.

The last characteristic of ERASM: The society which became an association is endowed with one purpose which draws its vital energy from its conviviality and sociability. Here again, this assemby of municipal archivists of the Upper Rhine adopts a way of life, whose roots are embedded in an historical and cultural tradition, which is kept alive to some degree today by tourism, gastronomy and viticulture. Building a bridge across the centuries between the evening entertainments of the town councillors of the Middle Ages in their „Ratsstuben“, the inns in their town halls and the cheerful restaurants frequented by municipal archivists, the traditional dinners of ERASM are reviving the customs of the region and of times long past.

It is not only characteristic of the bourgeoisie of the 18th century, well before the advent of modern historiography and historical research, to proclaim conviviality as an essential element in publicising and disseminating information. The traditional practice of sitting round a table to cement relationships is nonetheless one way amongst others at meetings of the „Entente Rhénane d’Archivistes Municipaux“. Beginning with a lecture, followed by an institutional visit and a reception, the day usually ends after a meal with a pleasure visit, with an educational and cultural element to it, to an historical site, which appeals as much to the mind as to the senses and emotions. Looked at in this light, ERASM pays heed to the social life of municipal archivists, who are members.

In adjusting itself to the cultural fabric of the regional background within which it proposes to publicise archives and their historical richness as well as the cause of

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