Fostering communities through heritage interpretation

Fostering communities through heritage interpretation Interpret Europe Fostering communities through heritage interpretation Case studies from the Western Balkan region 3 Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation To cite this study: Interpret Europe (2020) Fostering communities through heritage interpretation: Case studies from the Western Balkan region Witzenhausen: Interpret Europe Compilation of the report: Dragana Lucija Ratković Aydemir Helena Tolić With support from: Nada Andonovska Thorsten Ludwig Gordana Milanović Jelena Močević Bojana Sekulić Janja Sivec Valya Stergioti Kaltrina Thaçi Helena Vičič Aida Vežić Dorina Xheraj-Subashi Copy editing and proofreading: Michael Hamish Glen We thank our coordinators and members in the Western Balkan region for their contributions, as well as the representatives of all initiatives who sent us their material. The Western Balkan initiative research, the reporting on the results and the compilation of the brochure were done by www.muze.hr / Zagreb, Croatia. Cover images with thanks to Damir Fabijanić (2), Jelena Kulušić, Tina Zajc Zver and Petra Draškovič Pelc. ISBN 978-3-947745-06-7 4 Fostering communities through heritage interpretation Contents Contents................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 8 1 The Western Balkan initiative (WBI) ................................................................................................. 9 The countries participating in the initiative What is Interpret Europe’s understanding of heritage interpretation? So, what were the aims of the WBI? The good practice case studies 9 10 10 11 2 Interpret Europe in WB countries .................................................................................................... 12 How does Interpret Europe operate in the WB region? Promoting European values through heritage interpretation Bringing good practice projects to the European public 12 12 12 3 Methodology and course of the WBI .............................................................................................. 13 4 Case studies on good practice examples in heritage interpretation............................................ 14 4.1 A place for reflection and healing: The Museum of Secret Surveillance, the ‘House of Leaves’, Albania ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Interpretation through face-to-face heritage experience 15 4.2 Child’s perspective: The War Childhood Museum (WCM), Bosnia and Herzegovina ............................. 16 Goals – overcoming trauma 16 Heritage interpretation gives voice to the children 17 4.3 Universal emotions and music: Sevdah Art House (SAH), Bosnia and Herzegovina .............................. 18 Goals – communicating and cooperation 18 Heritage interpretation through universal emotions and music 19 Cultural identity of diversity 19 4.4 Cultural heritage in fairy-tales: Centre for Visitors: Ivana’s House of Fairy Tales (IHFT), Croatia..... 20 Goals – expanding horizons with heritage 20 Heritage interpretation – it is all in the spirit of place 21 4.5 Learning from local masters: Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding (BMWS), Croatia .................. 22 Goals – safeguarding local heritage 22 Heritage interpretation through transmission of knowledge 23 4.6 Holistic approach to heritage: The Batana Eco-Museum (BEM) Rovinj, Croatia ..................................... 24 Goals – cultural competency and intercultural dialogue 24 Heritage interpretation – local community gathered around the eco-museum 25 4.7 The art of drystone walling: 4 Grada Dragodid (4GD), Croatia .................................................................... 26 Goals – bringing the drystone walling back to the people 26 Heritage interpretation – discovering new meanings 27 4.8 Creative work inspired by heritage: Heritage Space (HS), Kosovo................................................................ 28 Goals – creating opportunities 28 5 Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation Heritage interpretation – new inspired by the old 29 4.9 Cross-border cooperation: Katun Roads, Montenegro and Kosovo ............................................................. 30 Goals – rural families for sustainable development 30 Heritage interpretation through sharing the culture of every-day-life 31 4.10 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Giving and receiving heritage: Grandma March Day, North Macedonia.......................................................... 32 Goals – promoting Balkan culture 32 Heritage interpretation through amulets that connect neighbours 33 4.11 Heritage community: Gradež Village, Slovenia ................................................................................................ 34 Goals – local community in charge of cultural heritage 34 Working together for heritage interpretation 34 4.12 Interpretation of intangible heritage and artistic activity: Ribnica Handicraft Centre, Slovenia ..... 36 Goals – building connections 36 Heritage interpretation – learning from heritage bearers 37 4.13 Stories of Maribor: Festival of Walks (FW), Slovenia ....................................................................................... 37 Goals – engaging the local people 38 Heritage interpretation through expressiveness and co-creation 38 4.14 Seeing the bigger picture through heritage perspective: Co-existing with large carnivore and their interpretation, Slovenia ...................................................................................................................................................... 39 Goals – awareness shift for 40 better co-existence 40 Heritage interpretation experience through one’s own responsibility 40 4.15 Intangible heritage and social entrepreneurship: The Homeland Museum of Knjaževac (HMK), Serbia ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 41 Goals – heritage for development of local community 42 Where heritage interpretation and entrepreneurship meet 42 4.16 Culture of every-day-life: the Museum of Spoon Sweets (MSS) – the Home of the Cvetić Family, Serbia ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 43 Goals – preserving the heritage of civic Serbia 44 Heritage interpretation – understanding the value of ‘small things’ 44 4.17 When heritage becomes unwanted: Inappropriate Monuments (IM), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia ............................................................................................................................................ 46 Goals – advocacy for 46 unwanted heritage 46 Heritage interpretation – raising awareness and finding new solutions 47 5 Case studies on projects that show excellence in certain aspects of interpretation .................. 48 5.1 Starting small, dreaming big: The Filigree Association, Kosovo .................................................................... 48 5.2 Local people co-creating an exhibition: Industrialisation in progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 5.3 Bringing neighbours together: Peaks of the Balkans; Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro..................... 49 5.4 Adapting to visitors: Scupini Romani, North Macedonia ................................................................................. 50 5.5 Diving into the local community: The Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Eco-museum, Slovenia ...................... 50 6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 51 6 Fostering communities through heritage interpretation Essence and uniqueness of projects International collaboration First-hand experience and the active involvement of visitors Involving local stakeholders Care for heritage Different perspectives Heritage touches people 51 51 51 52 52 52 53 List of references................................................................................................................................... 54 Interpret Europe ................................................................................................................................... 56 7 Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation 4.10 Giving and receiving heritage: Grandma March Day, North Macedonia Grandma March Day is the Balkan tradition of exchanging handmade amulets in red and white colours called martinki. They are given to a loved one on 1 March to celebrate the beginning of Spring with wishes for health, love, luck and prosperity for the coming year. Amulets are worn until nature starts to bloom when they are hung on the trees. that reason, their mission is carefully to manage this intangible heritage phenomenon in the best interest of, and in cooperation with, its people. HAEMUS organises events, exhibitions and workshops to educate the public about the importance of intangible cultural heritage and the meaning of ‘Grandma March Day’ and giving martinki. They inspire people to become active in promoting and safeguarding this tradition for future generations. One of the main goals of the project, that takes into consideration a broad picture, is the promotion of the Balkan cultural heritage through popularisation, including promoting the common cultural practices of the Balkan Peninsula (Exarc c. 2016). PROJECT ID Heritage phenomenon: martinki amulets Media of interpretation: travelling exhibition, workshops, flyers, photos, panels, posters, book, catalogue, video Languages: Macedonian Area of heritage interpretation: North Macedonia Initiated by: UNESCO Financed by: self-financed, City of Skopje, Ministry of Culture of Macedonia Local partners: City of Skopje International reach: collaboration with Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria (countries with same martinki traditions) International recognition: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017 Goals – promoting Balkan culture Martinki were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017 thanks to the joint efforts from North Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. HAEMUS – the Centre for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture from Macedonia – is a legal entity registered by UNESCO to safeguard the martinki tradition. For 32 Figure 20 – Granma March Day exhibition by HAEMUS in City Mall Skopje in 2016 Photo: Damjan Korobar Fostering communities through heritage interpretation Heritage interpretation through amulets that connect neighbours Travelling exhibition In order to encourage people to participate and to popularise this tradition, a series of events are held in shape of exhibitions to show the unique but still multinational nature of this cultural practice associated to the first day of March. The travelling exhibition is comprised of many elements and features original handmade amulets from three of the Balkan countries that cherish the martinki tradition, as well as panels, documentaries, creative workshops for the people and a bazaar where visitors can buy their very own amulet (Exarc c. 2016). The exhibition also includes various artefacts and promotes environmental values of trees and the natural environment. Since the tradition of martinki is celebrated in other Balkan countries, the idea of friendship and cooperation with neighbours is promoted as well. Special workshops are organised for children, young people and children with disabilities who become active heritage bearers, who safeguard this tradition and transmit the knowledge to future generations. Their creations are later sold for donations and charity purposes. Exhibitions and events also feature children books in a few languages as well as videos and materials with different origins that enable children and visitors to create martinki by themselves. Giving and receiving heritage Every year HAEMUS organises events in North Macedonia to encourage people to learn how to make martinki and to preserve the tradition from oblivion. Their events are rooted in values of sustainability, communication, education, interpretation, interaction and art visualisation. Visitors are invited to join the workshops where they can learn to make martinki themselves or they can watch local artisans make their creations. Participants communicate with each other and share their stories, memories, opinions and feelings about the tradition of martinki. During these conversations, many people show how touched they are by this tradition, with its symbolism, and often share their intimate childhood memories. Besides, the point of martinki is giving and receiving good wishes which is something visitors easily connect with. Figure 19 – Amulets made of red and white woollen thread given to the beloved ones as a present on the 1st March. Photo: Idea Lab 33 Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation platform persists in advocating for the revaluation and preservation of socialist heritage. Among many of their projects, the exhibition ‘On the Revolution’s Roads’ was organised. It travelled to Croatian cities (Zagreb, Split, Karlovac and Pula), Serbian cities (Belgrade, Niš, Kraljevo, Šabac), the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, the North Macedonian capital Skopje and the Slovenian capital Ljubljana where it helped the general public to face and interpret their collective past (IM n.d.). 5 Case studies on projects that show excellence in certain aspects of interpretation In this chapter we present five case studies that are still in the process of developing fully but are showing excellence in certain areas of their work. All of them are based on inclusiveness of visitors and local community, as well as firsthand experience of heritage. Through their work, these projects promote cultural and natural heritage as a fount of many new opportunities for the development of their own local communities and societies. The cases presented here are:  Peaks of the Balkans, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro  Industrialisation in progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina  The Filigree Association, Kosovo  Scupini Romani, North Macedonia  The Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Eco-museum, Slovenia 48 The international project, Peaks of the Balkans, is a great example of cross-border cooperation between the neighbouring countries of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Through first-hand experience with local communities, this project strengthens bonds at local and international levels. Industrialisation in progress, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is project that includes local people in creating a future exhibition. What is especially interesting is the involvement of young people in interpreting industrial heritage which is a non-formal process of learning about the history of their country. The Filigree Association from Kosovo stands out as an excellent grass-roots project that influences remarkably positive changes in the community. The North Macedonian project, Scupini Romani, shows creativity and flexibility in heritage interpretation with a strong willingness to focus on affinity with the audience which is praiseworthy. The Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Eco-museum, in Slovenia, is a good example of the involvement of the local community in various heritage activities as well as the process of building a good network of international partners. The museum was created by trained heritage interpreters who applied many interpretive principles. 5.1 Starting small, dreaming big: The Filigree Association, Kosovo The town of Prizren in Kosovo is rich in cultural heritage from Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim traditions. The art of filigree art is a combination of all of these cultures which simultaneously Interpret Europe – European Association for Heritage Interpretation 58