SINCE
opening in 1988, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Museum has accumulated a wealth of objects and documents retracing
the history of the world’s first humanitarian organization
from its beginnings to the present day. To achieve this, the
museum has sought the support of various Movement actors,
who have responded by entrusting it with items of historical
importance, as well as tangible manifestations of their humanitarian
action.
Among them, the International Federation has deposited a
number of collections, including a unique series of more than
6,000 posters produced by National Societies between 1945
and 1990. Emanating from more than 120 countries, the posters
illustrate the Movement’s universality and document
the many and varied activities developed by the National Societies,
from blood collection and disease prevention to recruitment
of volunteers and first aid.
The posters have been a feature of the “From the archives”
section of Red Cross Red Crescent magazine, as well as regularly
taking pride of place in the museum’s exhibitions. Presentations
on a variety of themes — accident prevention, smoking,
fund-raising or religious images — provide a fascinating
insight into the work of the National Societies in the second
half of the 20th century.
Posters are by no means the only documents conserved. The
museum collects stamps, photographs and films, as well as
work instruments and relief items. The card index created
by the International Prisoner of War Agency in 1914–1918
and previously kept in the ICRC archives is one of the jewels
of the permanent exhibition. Objects of historical interest,
attesting to the early activities of the Red Cross Red Crescent,
are complemented by a range of contemporary exhibits demonstrating
the Movement’s more recent action, from a sack of rice
and blood bag to a collection box and first-aid kit.
Labours of love
The museum also prides itself on its unique collection of
objects given by beneficiaries, mainly detainees, to those
who brought them assistance. Side by side are pieces as disparate
as a model of a mosque made by a Palestinian inmate, a painting
by a Khmer refugee, an embroidered mat from a Salvadorian
community and a kerosene stove made by an Indonesian detainee.
These tokens of gratitude are a moving testimony to the close
bonds forged between the givers and receivers of aid. Often
made out of recycled materials, they reveal an ingenuity and
determination on the part of their creators and offer a glimpse
of their harsh living conditions. The collection was initially
assembled for a temporary exhibition in 1992 and has been
added to over the years mainly by gifts from ICRC delegates
and other Movement staff.
Most of the museum’s treasures are kept in storage
according to strict conservation standards, in order to ensure
their long-term preservation. However, their safe-keeping
is not an end in itself. It is also so that they can be put
on public display, whether through the museum’s permanent
exhibition, temporary exhibitions, publications or the website
(www.micr.org). Starting with this issue, Red Cross Red Crescent
will give its readers a chance to see some of the museum’s
prize possessions, items both unusual and commonplace that
will be displayed on its back cover, alternating with the
posters.
Today’s heritage for tomorrow
The museum serves not only as a repository of the Movement’s
rich heritage, but also as a testament to its current action,
so that it may be preserved for future generations. To this
end, the museum has an ambitious policy of collecting items
representing every aspect of ongoing humanitarian activities.
Although located in Geneva, close to the headquarters of the
ICRC and the International Federation, the museum seeks to
reflect the Movement in all its geographical and cultural
diversity, bringing together objects, documents and images
from every continent and examples of its work both in times
of war and in times of peace. It endeavours to build links
with National Societies and solicits contributions from them
— posters, photographs, films, relief materials or eye-witness
accounts from humanitarian workers and beneficiaries.
With the help of everyone in the Movement — in particular
the National Societies — the museum can continue to
build on and enhance its valuable collections, which constitute
our common heritage. |
©THIERRY GASSMANN / ICRC
The collections in figures
• 200 countries represented
• 11,000 posters
• 9,000 photographs
• 3,000 objects
• 2,000 films
• 25,000 stamps
• 10,000 medals |
Medicine chest used by Dr Patay while serving
with the French navy during the Franco-German war, 1870-1871.
Collection IMCR (Patay family bequest).
©INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUSEUM
Rocking chair
“During one of my last visits, a detainee presented
me with this little chair, typical of his country, saying:
‘Since we can’t offer you a comfortable
seat among us, I hope that this chair will relieve your
tiredness!’
“And that was how it was: during the visits,
the delegates went from cell to cell, but there was
never any furniture to sit on, only beds and mattresses.
The chair was made out of black and white threads unpicked
one by one from the sacks containing relief items —
powdered milk, soap, toothpaste — brought by the
ICRC for the prisoners.”
An ICRC delegate’s account in a temporary exhibition
of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum,
Geneva, entitled Objets de silence. Articles made by
prison and camp inmates 1900–1992.
©INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED
CRESCENT MUSEUM |
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