From Page to Mouth

Oral History Projects 

UZBEKISTAN

Centre “Oral History” in Uzbekistan

In 2010 with help of Fund of support scientific-research projects of Academy of Sciences, Republic of Uzbekistan, institute of history has won grant for project realization “Oral History of Uzbekistan in XX century as a method and source of historical research”.
Duration of the project: 2010-2011
The chief of project is Sobirov Alisher, PhD (al_sobir@inbox.ru)

The representation office of German association dvv international in Uzbekistan has supported the project on the first steps for establishing and spreading of “oral history” method in the republic; in addition it named topic of the project as “Challenges of time and oral history” (Development of new research practice of oral history in Uzbekistan).
The goal of the project: Creation of Oral history centre at institute of history as educational-methodological base to teach specialists and interested individuals for new methods of history on the base of oral information.
During organized trainings and seminars, was formed scientific-research group and created Centre of “oral history” at the institute of history of Academy of Sciences.
In 2010 in the frameworks of tasks fulfillment trainings were conducted on methods of oral history. Target project group (18 people) – scientists, historians, young researches and students on journalism. Participating in project allowed to create a network between oral historians in Uzbekistan, enlarge access to information resources, become familiar with new research literature, establish contacts with researchers from others regions and countries.
During the project participants of research group get acknowledged with theoretical issues and practical approaches of oral history method, and carried out a pilot field research at Fergana Valley.
Purpose of the pilot research: is to master with practical oral history research skills and to enlarge target group with motivated individuals from institutional and college history teachers of Fergana, Namangan and Andijan regions; probate method of research for future project “Small Towns of Uzbekistan”.
At the end of the project year, in December 2010, was held a regional symposium on Oral History with presentation of research results of Centre; formed a base of oral-historical archive with more than 30 data-materials in audio/video/photo format; were published articles in regional mass-media and issued collection of essays “Oral History in Uzbekistan” in Russian.         
For 2011-2012 have been prepared and obtained technical support of the Representative office of German association dvv international in Uzbekistan for second stage of the project “Challenges of time and oral history” (Development of new research practice of oral history in Uzbekistan).
The goal: Extension and institutional development of Centre of Oral History at the Institute of History.
Tasks of project:

1) Holding trainings of interdisciplinary research team on oral history methodic in Uzbekistan regions (Bukhara, Samarkand, Karshi, Nukus) in order to integrate the method into local scientific community and further widening of network;
2) Preparation of methodological guide for oral history lessons in institutes and colleges;
3) Enlargement of archive based on oral-history memories audio and video at the centre of oral history;
4) Creation of oral history website;
5) Transcribing and analysis of collected materials (more than 30 interviews);
6) Conducting of field researches “Small towns of Uzbekistan in memories of their inhabitants: socio-cultural aspect”;
7) Second edition and publication of collection of essays “Oral history in Uzbekistan” and establishing mutual benefit partnership with foreign colleagues in oral history.    

Expected results:

1) Form three groups motivated specialists in regions for research work in oral history;
2) Integrate method oral history in study curriculum of some institutes in Uzbekistan;
3) Conduct research in six small towns of Bukhara, Samarkand regions and Kara kalpak autonomous republic;
4) Enlarge archive base of oral history;
5) Include Centre in membership of International Oral History Association;
6) Conduct republican conference “Oral History in socio-cultural aspect of small towns in Uzbekistan”.

Alisher Sobirov (PhD)
Director of the Centre “Oral History” at the Institute of History,  
Academy of Sciences, Republic of Uzbekistan
e-mail: al_sobir@inbox.ru

Ramis Sattarov
Junior Research Fellow
Coordinator of the Centre “Oral History”
e-mail: ramisattarov@xnet.uz

Address:
Centre “Oral History”, Institute of History of Academy of Sciences
9 Muminov street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Phone: 262-38-73, 262-93-21

SPAIN

Dédalo: Platform for the Management of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Oral History

Dédalo is a software application for the management of Intangible Cultural Heritage/Oral History. It is independent software, based on open standards. It belongs to the family of so-called web applications because it requires a server and its interface is run from an Internet browser (such as Firefox). Its use, like Linux, is free and is covered by a standard license (GLP).

Regarding research work and the preservation and promotion of this cultural heritage, a need to develop specific tools for this purpose arose. From the outset, Dédalo has focused on proposing and creating solutions that would facilitate the tasks of researchers in this field.

Simply put, the application enables the analysis, indexing and retrieval of parts, components or fragments (text and audio) within an extensive archive, in a dynamic and non-destructive form. The application is a multi-user working environment as well as being multi-project and multi-thesaurus friendly.

Through the meta-information associated with unedited audio-visual material, we can access the content through free search criteria, associations and themes. We can browse through thousands of hours of video, instantly accessing virtual fragments without the necessity of prior audio-visual editing.

Our goal is to make the creation and dissemination of this content available to all, both technically and economically. In addition, we wish to define the guidelines that permit compatibility and interaction between different projects and archives, and to promote a common platform of open source material.


We believe that Intangible Heritage and Oral History have tremendous cultural importance. We also believe that access to this heritage must be free of charge and that new technologies are the right vehicle to achieve this.

Intangible Cultural Heritage or Oral History often contains sensitive information. Here we are speaking about history, life experiences, of myths and traditions and of people who have shared with us their experiences. The management of this heritage by those responsible involves thoroughly controlling what information is shared or not, where it is stored and how it should be preserved, amongst other matters.

The configuration of a Dédalo system is a special and unique process, overseen by the head of the collection in a way that allows him/her to maintain ultimate control of the heritage in question.

www.fmomo.org


ARGENTINA

‘Other Memories’ Association

On 18 October 2010 we launched the ‘Other Memories’ Association at the Borges Cultural Centre of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The inaugural conference was organized by the members of the Association. It was also attended by the historian Giovanni Levi.

The main objective of this Association is to promote –through the methodology of oral history and from a multidisciplinary perspective– studies on orality, history, oral traditions, communication and as well as artistic and literary public performances constructed from oral sources. We also hope to develop both pedagogical skills and the facilitation of exchanges between people and institutions engaged in these areas in order to further research, presentations (in museums and places of memory) and preservation (in libraries, museums and archives).

The application of oral history methodology in the field of education is another key objective. This emphasis is based on the understanding that oral history is currently very dynamic area of ​​knowledge production in the fields of History and Social Sciences around the world.

The Association also works as a civil organization. Its headquarters is in Buenos Aires, with further representation in Montevideo and Rosario. In the future, the Association is expected to establish agreements and set up ties with other associations that promote similar objectives.

To all those who are interested in collaborating with ‘Other Memories’: we invite you to participate and to take an active part in promoting the objectives of the Association. Together, we can promote oral history methodology, which will allow us to move forward collectively and individually in constructing a “transformed present” and a future full of memories.



Links:
http://campus.almagro.ort.edu.ar/cienciassociales/historiaoral/noticia/95910/asociaci-n-otras-memorias-
otrasmemorias@gmail.com
www.otrasmemorias.com.ar