Anita Jirgensone, Manager of the Baltic Museology School.
The historical events in the Baltic States in the beginning of the nineties brought not just the state independence but also significant changes in all aspects of life, including museums.
Change of economic model and thus also significant decrease in state-granted financing for museum operation enabled decentralization of museum system. As a result of the changes, small museums previously functioning as branches of regional museums became in the care of parishes and were often left without professional performers of museum functions. The rapidly weakened economic situation and closing of the east boarder caused remarkable decrease in the number of visitors, while opening of the west boarder let new information flood in the country. The tense situation caused confusion in museum specialists. They realized that it was impossible to carry on work like before and thus started looking for constructive solutions.
