Digital cultural turn: 284,000 euros for Rhineland-Palatinate!

Digital cultural turn: 284,000 euros for Rhineland-Palatinate!

On January 24, 2025, Professor Dr. Stefan Wehner, President of the University of Koblenz, in Kaub a funding notice of a total of 284,000 euros for the project "Digital recording and presentation of cultural landscapes in Rhineland-Palatinate (Kuladig RLP)". Interior Minister Michael Ebling presented this decision, which enables the project to continue until 2026. Kuladig has received national attention since its initiation in 2019, since it not only promotes the digital preparation of cultural heritage in Rhineland-Palatinate, but is also the unique model project that has implemented 54 sub-projects in 56 municipalities.

In the first six years, over 600 multimedia contributions were created, which are available for digital guided tours and in virtual rooms thanks to the Kuladig app and QR codes. These contributions include multimedia stories, photos and videos to keep the cultural heritage of the region alive. The project duration was significantly expanded with the new means, since the country emphasizes the importance of this cultural preparation for visitors and citizens.

new funding phase and focus

The current project phase encounters the World Heritage Upper Mittelrheintal and the upcoming Federal Garden Show 2029 with a clear goal: to create digital themed paths and interactive formats for visitors. Ebling emphasized that the doubling of funding recognizes the success and importance of the previous work. The new funding round is intended to promote networking with Buga 2029 and produce new creative approaches to impart cultural content.

A central element of the strategy is the "Kuladig RLP Campus", which aims to train volunteers in the creation of digital content. In dialogue with municipalities, the “life paths of history” are set as a topic for 2025, whereby municipalities can apply for participation by January 31.

responsible and cooperation partners

The project is being carried out by the Institute for Cultural Studies at the University of Koblenz under the direction of Professor Dr. Michael Klemm promoted. It is also supported by the Ministry of the Interior and for Sport Rhineland-Palatinate and the Kuladig Competence Center at SGD Süd. The latter has taken responsibility for coordinating the project since January 2022. Individual training courses for promoting media literacy for the participating municipalities are also offered there.

The initiative pursues a variety of uses to make the cultural heritage for a broad target group tangible for both locals and tourists. This includes digitization of historical photos, videos and special media productions such as drone shots. According to the ministry, a start -up financing of around 1,000 euros is provided for each pilot community to support such implementations.