albania project portfolio - cultural heritage without...
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albania
project portfolio
2
table of contents
category key
Cross-border professional learning and exchange
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Inclusive conservationCreated by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Civic engagement
Interpretation and education
projects in albania
regional projects
Antigonea Mosaic, Gjirokastra
Babameto House I, Gjirokastra
Babameto House II, Gjirokastra
Building Design Guidelines
Community Heritage Engagement
Dialogues for Spaç
E Ka Kush E Ka children’s activity series
From the Shepherd to the Artisan
Gjirokastra: Where the Change Begins
Hammam (Turkish Bath), Kruja
Heritage Risk Assessment, Gjirokastra
Monument Owners Survey, Gjirokastra
St. Nicholas Church, Voskopoja
Tell the Story of Gjirokastra
Textile Conservation, Gjirokastra
Vocational Training
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23Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
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Who we are / How we work
Where we work
Project results at a glance
Financial profile
about chwb
7 Site Management Plans
100 Roofs
Balkan Museum Network
Bridges to the Future (Stolac, BiH)
Make it Yours!
Regional Heritage Seminars
Regional Restoration Camps
Southeast European Heritage Network
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27
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29
30
31
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
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who we are
The foundation Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB) is an independent non-governmental
organization dedicated to rescuing and preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage affected by
conflict, neglect or natural disasters. CHwB is neutral when it comes to conflicting parties because
everyone has the right to enjoy cultural heritage. We consider heritage to be a testimony of our humanity,
history and cultural identity – now and for the future.
CHwB promotes and is committed to equality, social justice, non-discrimination, participation, inclusion,
intercultural dialogue, accountability and transparency.
our vision is that everyone is able to exercise the right to enjoy, have access to and participate in
cultural heritage.
our mission is to promote cultural heritage as both a right in itself and a resource.
how we work
CHwB relies on the competence of experienced, passionate and energetic national and international
professionals educated in different fields, such as Anthropology, History, Architecture, Conservation, Urban
Management and Planning, Economics, Finance, Sustainable Development, Law and Political Science, who
form a multidisciplinary team determined to make a difference in the Balkans, and beyond.
CHwB works with heritage conservation and interpretation, community empowerment, education and
museum development. We design and implement innovative strategies and manage various interventions
on the ground, by using cultural heritage as an active force in peace building, promoting human rights
and developing a sustainable socio-economic environment. This is achieved with a bottom-up approach,
promoting both our partners’ and beneficiaries’ sense of ownership, as we believe development is
sustainable only if it comes from within communities themselves.
Our partners are civil society organizations, cultural and education institutions, international development
agencies, private sector organizations and governmental agencies on all levels. We work with all members
of society without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political
affiliation or physical, mental, emotional or learning ability.
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where we work
albania macedonia
montenegro
kosovo
serbiabosnia &
Herzegovina
croatia
CHwB Albania has offices in Tirana and Gjirokastra. Most of our projects are centered on
or originate in Albania. However, we also have a regional component to our work, which
integrates all of the Western Balkans.
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our collaboration by the numbers
CULTURAL HERITAGE…
…AS A PLATFORM FOR EDUCATION
REGIONAL RESTORATION CAMPS20 Regional Restoration Camps held in 4 different countries566 participants from 25 countries, ~37,720 hours of hand on restoration77+ small interventions conducted on historic monuments20+ museum objects conserved
E KA KUSH E KA6 Heritage Ateliers held170 children and 30 staff participated in Heritage Ateliers6 highly engaging games and booklets added to the collection
…AS A PLATFORM FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR LISTED MONUMENTS IN GJIROKASTRA648 monuments surveyed
MONUMENT OWNERS SURVEY253 owners surveyed in 8 historic neighborhoods of Gjirokastra
SITE MANAGEMENT PLANS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS7 site management plans in 7 countries of the WB region21 workshops held150 stakeholders from across the region
…FOR DIALOGUE
DIALOGUES FOR SPAÇ3 workshops held29 participants28 concrete steps developed in action plan
project results at a glance
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growth / diversification of our financial profile, 2012-15
The primary donor for CHwB has been the Swedish Government, through the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). For the past several years, however, CHwB Albania has been
diversifying its funding sources, as indicated by the charts below.
€0
€100,000
€200,000
€300,000
€400,000
€500,000
€600,000
€700,000Other donors
Swedish Government
2012 2013 2014 2015
Turn
-ove
r (€
)
Year
€0
€100,000
€200,000
€300,000
€400,000
€500,000
€600,000
€700,000 Other donors
Swedish Government
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Turn
-ove
r (€
)
Year
Year Turn-over
(in EUR)
From Swedish
Government (%)
From other
donors (%)
2010 121,492.23 100 0
2011 197,120.74 100 0
2012 331,427.78 91 9
2013 307,422.13 92 8
2014 610,627.40 67 33
2015 417,305.49 69 31
€0
€100,000
€200,000
€300,000
€400,000
€500,000
€600,000
€700,000Other donors
Swedish Government
2012 2013 2014 2015
Turn
-ove
r (€
)
Year
€0
€100,000
€200,000
€300,000
€400,000
€500,000
€600,000
€700,000 Other donors
Swedish Government
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Turn
-ove
r (€
)
Year
TELL THE STORY OF GJIROKASTRA23 students from 4 high schools participated in poster competition11 high school teachers trained on Culture Heritage topics3 cultural Heritage Experts4 local professionals involved
…FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CONSERVATION WORKS1 complete restoration to be finalized within 20153 monuments saved through pioneering emergency interventions2 full restorations completed in Gjirokastra1 archaeological mosaic conserved
LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP2 business plans and 8 informative sessions with monument owners3 out of 8 monument owners co-financed repairs on their monuments
FROM SHEPHERD TO THE ARTISAN20+ local craftswomen involved2 communes involved
albania / regional project summaries
category key
Cross-border professional learning and exchange
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
Inclusive conservationCreated by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Civic engagement
Interpretation and education
8
Today the mosaic stands as a central piece of the Antigonea Archaeological Park, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Works conducted: Removal of all panels; removal of the degraded cement on the backside of the panels; creation of a new foundation; elimination of living vegetation; repositioning the panels over a new layer of mortar.
June - December 2012
In partnership with:Institute for Monuments of Culture
Donor:Germany Embassy in Albania
Total funding:€ 25.000
conservation and discovery in an ancient city
Discovered during archaeological excavations in 1974, the mosaic of Antigonea (5th – 6th Century AD) is one of the most important archaeological pieces of art in the Drino Valley – touted for its unique iconography.
Prior to conservation, the mosaic floor had become unstable, the underpinning mortar had disintegrated, and the loss of the entire mosaic was imminent. To save the mosaic, a team of national and international experts worked in close collaboration to stabilize and partly reconstruct the surrounding walls, level the foundation of the mosaic floor, and replace the component mosaic elements in their original positions. During the conservation, the original staircase to the ancient church was uncovered and reinstated as the main entrance to the site.
The interventions undertaken have once again made the mosaic accessible for researchers and visitors alike. What was formerly an overgrown cluster of stones has been turned into a coherent and recognizable site. While the mosaic is covered during the off-season to prevent weather damage, it may now remain open during the summer months.
antigonea mosaic, gjirokastraEmergency archaeological conservation
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
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Gjirokastra’s old town – complementing other important community buildings such as the mosque, amphitheatre and cinema. The building now operates as a tourist hostel and temporary residence for camp participants during CHwB’s Regional Restoration Camps (see page 27). Additionally, the surrounding walls of the building are being reconstructed by camp participants, providing practical, hands-on experience for architecture students and young professionals in traditional restoration practices in stonework. Today, the Babameto house stands as a model of sustainable practice in cultural heritage management.
Works conducted: Restoration and conservation of remaining elements, training of young specialists in traditional materials and techniques, using heritage to generate income for community.
April 2012 - March 2013
In partnership with:Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (GCDO)
Donors:Swedish GovernmentPackard Humanities Institute
Total funding:€ 172.000
restoration & revitalization for the future
Completely abandoned following the 1997 national financial crisis, the grand Babameto house quickly fell into disrepair, eventually becoming a priority for restoration. In 2004, the state invested in the reconstruction of the roof and other ruined elements; however, the house remained in poor condition until interventions were made by CHwB. The primary aim of this project was the complete restoration of the monument and the eventual conversion of the space into a hostel and public facility (used for seminars and exhibitions).
As a main element of the central bazaar, the restoration of the Babameto house has brought renewed vitality to the commercial area of
babameto house i, gjirokastraFull restoration of a first category monument
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
gjirokastra
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April 2011 - April 2012
In partnership with:Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (GCDO)
Donors:Swedish Government (€ 74.000)Packard Humanities Institute
Total funding:€ 84.000
restoration & revitalization for the future
For many years, the category II Babameto house, once an iconic feature of the local bazaar, was left in complete ruins. By 2011, the roof had collapsed, and most interior and exterior elements, such as stairways, floors, and windows, were damaged. In addition, the ground floor had become a dump site for garbage, as well as a refuge for small saplings and encroaching vines. To prevent the complete destruction of the building, CHwB began interventions to restore this important monument.
babameto house ii, gjirokastraFull restoration of a second category monument
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
gjirokastra
The dual aims of this restoration project were the preservation of Gjirokastra’s built cultural heritage and the stimulation of the local economy.
Today the building has been reincorporated as a public space. For a period of nine months Babameto II was used as a storefront and training centre – employing local women who made and sold handcrafted purses and other textiles using recycled and repurposed materials such as plastic grocery bags. Future projects under the direction of the Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (GCDO) (now Gjirokastra Foundation) will focus on capacity
building and providing employment opportunities for local residents. Babameto II continues to stand as a model for using cultural heritage as a social, economic, cultural and environmental resource.
Works conducted: Restoration and conservation of remaining elements, training of young specialists in traditional materials and techniques, using heritage to generate income for the community.
11
Many interventions, not only in buildings, but also in
signage and advertisements, technical installations and
public spaces, have contributed to a gradual loss of the
historical integrity of the city of Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra
clearly needs a legal document, which regulates which
building design guidelinesFor Gjirokastra’s historic bazaar
May 2014 – present
In partnership with:Regional Dir. of National Culture – GjirokastraPrefecture of GjirokastraMunicipality of GjirokastraInstitute for Monuments of Culture
Donors:Swedish GovernmentGerman World Heritage Foundation
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
criteria and standards such interventions should follow
in order for the city to maintain – and indeed regain –
its historic character. The purpose of this project is to
elaborate such a legal document that will help to bring
back the lost integrity of the bazaar area and make sure
that interventions will be done in accordance
with the principles and standards of the
UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
The bazaar and its surrounding area stand
out for their special architectural and
functional characteristics. As the centre of
the historical town and of the commercial
area, the bazaar is one of the most visited
areas in the city.
The Building Design Guidelines project
began with detailed documentation of the
bazaar, conducted through the collection
of all graphic and technical materials from
archives; it is continuing with the technical
work of a group of specialists assigned by all
the relevant institutions.
The project will engage all stakeholders,
through informative sessions and workshops,
and trainings will be organized for the staff
of institutions that are going to use this
document.
12
This project builds on the existing CHwB framework
of heritage interpretation and community engagement
through the Regional Restoration Camps (RRC, see page
27) to facilitate deeper engagement with and from the
local community when it comes to sharing, preserving
and interpreting their heritage. Specifically, the project
has three main objectives:
community heritage engagementEngaging locally with interpretation
April 2014 – present
Donor:Headley Trust
Total funding:£ 25.000 (GBP)
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
1. Facilitating/encouraging active engagement from the
community in locations where the RRC are held
2. Developing an interpretation resource base for local
communities, to include both human resources and
interpretation ideas and ‘toolkits’
3. Turning this local engagement into heritage
interpretation resources (story-led tour routes,
children’s educational materials, etc.), whose production
and delivery, is supported and led by members of the
local community.
This project supports CHwB’s work with heritage
interpretation on several levels. It supports the
interpretation modules conducted during the RRC,
where participants are introduced to both the theory
and practice of interpretation. It has also supported the
work of local CHwB staff on such projects in Gjirokastra
as the survey of monument owners and several activities
with high school students, including ‘Tell the Story of
Gjirokastra’ and the high-school-led production of ‘The
House of the Mad,’ a black comedy that highlights the
plight of GJirokastra’s historic houses. The Headley
project also works with interpretation in Kosovo through
the Regional Restoration Camp in Mitrovica.
Finally, this project partially funds the “E Ka Kush E
Ka” children’s activity collection, which aims to bring
heritage education to young children in an exciting and
accessible way.
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sharing storiesshaping the future
Spaç prison is one of the most symbolic sites of persecution under the Communist regime, as well as perhaps the site that is most present in the collective memory of Albanians. As such, the primary value of Spaç today is as a much-needed place of memory for the crimes of the Communist regime —a physical space to ‘locate’ and address the traumas of that past, both for the former political prisoners who suffered there and for the rest of the Albanian people.
Designed as a platform for mutual information, coordination and co-decision, the Dialogues brought together stakeholders from local government, national institutions, local residents, former prisoners and non-profit organizations to chart out a future for the former
dialogues for spaçAddressing communist-era heritage
April 2014 - present
In partnership with:Komuna OroshAlbanian Human Rights Project
Donors:International Coalition of Sites of ConscienceSwedish Government
Total funding:$ 10.000 (US)
spaç
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
prison at Spaç. A series of three workshops focused on (1) understanding the site, its history and its place in the popular conception today; (2) envisioning a mission and set of objectives for a future institution of memory (museum or otherwise) at Spaç; and (3) charting out a concrete set of actions to reach those goals.
The rising interest of tourists in Communist-era heritage also has the potential to create much-needed economic opportunity for the local community, which is suffering from chronic poverty and steady emigration.
Main results: functional, intergenerational, multidisciplinary working group established, site documentation and analysis conducted, priority actions for the restoration and museification of the site identified.
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cultural heritage for the grown-ups of tomorrow and the children of yesterday
The collection “E Ka Kush e Ka” seeks to include
children and adults in a series of books and games
through which they discover and rediscover cultural
heritage as a bridge, linking us to the complexities of
the world around us. Cultural heritage is not only about
learning facts; it is an ideal educational and entertaining
support for learning about and exploring new things,
other people and our society. It is an instrument that
helps with self-reflection, skills and mental vivacity… a
path toward citizenship and mutual respect, where the
search for meaning is foremost.
e ka kush e kaInteractive learning about heritage
2013 - present
In partnership with:Xhubleta Anthropological CenterCo-Plan Inst. for Habitat DevelopmentMozaik Foundation
Donors:Swedish Govt.; European Union;
Headley Trust
Total funding:€ 6.400
gjirokastra
tiranakruja
E KA KUSH E KAcultural heritage for the grown-ups of tomorrow and the children of yesterday
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
The collection is also being used for the Heritage
Ateliers. These activities are aimed at children in
kindergarten and primary schools. They combine
classroom exercises with visits, hands-on and other fun
and engaging practical activities both for the children as
for their teachers and parents.
Main results:
6 highly engaging activities developed (activity booklets,
puzzles and 3D models)
> 2000 items produced
6 Heritage Ateliers organized in 2014 in several cities in
Albania
170 children attending
30 teachers/ educators/ parents involved
E KA KUSH E KAtrashëgimia kulturore për të rriturit e së
nesërmes dhe fëmijët e së djeshmes
Për fëmijë nga 3 deri në 5 vjeç
No. 1Ky projekt financohet nga Bashkimi Europian
gjirokastra_children_book_3yearsold_shqip_cover.indd 1 12/14/13 7:26 PM
E KA KUSH E KAtrashëgimia kulturore për të rriturit e së
nesërmes dhe fëmijët e së djeshmes
Për fëmijë nga 7 deri në 9 vjeç
No. 4
Veshja e lashtë e Të Bukurës së Maleve
HAMAMInë Gjirokastër Një monument pranë ujit
E KA KUSH E KAtrashëgimia kulturore për të rriturit e së
nesërmes dhe fëmijët e së djeshmes
Për fëmijë nga 6 deri në 11 vjeç
No. 2
gjirokastra_children_book_shqip_04122013.indd 1 12/14/13 7:24 PM
E KA KUSH E KAtrashëgimia kulturore për të rriturit e së
nesërmes dhe fëmijët e së djeshmes
Për fëmijë nga 3 deri në 6 vjeç
Nr. 5
XHUBLETAVeshja e Lashtë e Alpeve Shqiptare
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artisans used during the training and the production of
felt and woven products.
The artisans of Gjirokastra were trained in felt
techniques, which they then applied for the creation
of small animal figures. The artisans in Antigone,
on the other hand, were trained in various weaving
techniques for producing kilim and other products.
The sessions were labor intensive and included lots of
experimentation with wool, colors and shapes.
The result was a collection of about 200 products
branded under the name of Woolline. At the website
www.woolline.com customers can view the product
catalog and order online. Artisans then produce the
products on demand. Because of the quality and
uniqueness of the product designs, this project has set
a new standard for the handicrafts industry in Albania.
setting new standards with traditional textiles
This was the first project to revitalize wool processing
in Albania. Wool has been one of the most important
non-food products in Albania for hundreds of years,
but it’s processing and use almost ended with the
breakdown of communism and urban emigration.
Today most of the wool is thrown away while only a
limited quantity is saved for household use.
During the project, 250 kilograms of wool was
acquired from the shepherds of the mountains in the
communes of Lunxhëri and Antigone. More than 20
people and artisans were engaged in the collection of
the wool, cleaning, carding, hand spinning and dying
it with herbs and plants collected in the nearby hills.
This material served as the source of raw material that
from the shepherd to the artisanRevitalizing wool processing in southern Albania
May – September 2014 + ongoing
In partnership with:Centre for Int’l Migration & Development (CIM)Municipality of LunxhëriMunicipality of Antigone
Donors:Swiss Agency for Development & CooperationAustralian Direct Aid Program
Total funding:€ 38.383
gjirokastra
Artizanet e AntigonesëWeavers/ Tezgjah punuese
GjiroArt Felt Makers/ Shajak punuese
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
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abandoned monumentslost heritagea new approach
The story of the Hadëri and Gurgai tower houses is sadly the story of many houses in Gjirokastra. Both these houses located in the historical centre were once monuments of great importance. Through the course of history many changes occurred, resulting in the last inhabitants abandoning the monuments in recent years.
Houses need to be lived in to be healthy. As they sat unmaintained, the roofs began to leak. The roof damage in Gurgai monument resulted in the floors and ceilings being ruined. The many interventions over the years and the ongoing deterioration of the inner structure caused the partial collapse of the western facade wall. The Hadëri monument is facing a full collapse of the roof and partial collapse of the walls. Following a fire in April 2012, the partial collapse of the west facade
gjirokastra: where the change beginsEmergency interventions and awareness-raising
July 2014 - present
In partnership with:Regional Directorate for National Culture – Gjirokastra
Donor:Prince Claus Fund
Total funding:€ 52.850
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
wall in June 2013 and another partial collapse in January 2014, the government Emergency Committee decided to destroy another part of the western facade, arguing that it posed a danger to passers by.
“Gjirokastra: Where the Change Begins” is the first project to deal with ruined monuments in the historic centre of the city of Gjirokasra. This project aims to stop the destruction of these monuments by consolidating and reinforcing them, while using them to raise awareness about the many monuments that need urgent interventions. With this goal, a series of workshops involving local stakeholders will be organized.
Works conducted: Cleaning of debris; selecting reusable materials; reinforcing stone walls; reinforcing wooden floors; building temporary roof; reinforcing roof structure.
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October 2012 - April 2015
In partnership with:Institute for Monuments of CultureThe Past for the Future
Donor:Swedish Government
Total funding:€ 64.000
restoration and revitalization for the future
FThe public bath has long been an important element
of social life in this region. From Roman baths as places
for meetings, exercise and exchange to Ottoman-style
baths housing a space for chat, intrigue and political
discussions, they have both promoted a healthy recipe
of cleanliness, relaxation, and socializing. Albania has
inherited a number of baths from both the Roman and
Ottoman Empires, including the 15th-century Ottoman
hammam found in the castle of Kruja.
In Kruja, the hammam was for many years a forgotten
relic. The restoration of this monument of culture,
a key vestige of the local community and potential
hammam (turkish bath), krujaFull restoration of a category I monument
kruja
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
tourism attraction, is an important step toward
developing a larger network of service-based heritage
sites across Albania and the Balkans.
CHwB Albania’s objectives in this restoration and
revitalization project included sustainably developing
cultural heritage for income generation, by restoring
this monument to its original function. This restoration
promises renewed financial incentives for members
of the community, revitalization of the surrounding
neighborhood, increased tourism, and the beginning
of a larger initiative focusing on building a national
network of functional traditional hammams.
Works conducted: Full restoration, development of a
business plan for sustainable development of the hammam
18
Over the past 20 years, Gjirokastra has faced the
deterioration of a large number of monuments.
Working in the city since 2009 and walking daily on
its cobblestone streets, we could see a lot of ruined,
abandoned and unmaintained historic buildings. The
preservation of Gjirokastra’s cultural heritage is vital
to the city’s economy. If the monuments continue to
deteriorate and turn into ruins, the historic urban
landscape of Gjirokastra (one of its ‘outstanding
universal values’) is going to be irreversibly changed,
and the hope of eco-tourism as a source of economic
benefits for its residents would be completely lost.
heritage risk assessmentDetailed survey of monuments in Gjirokastra
October 2014
In partnership with:Regional Directorate of National Culture
(DRKK) – Gjirokastra
Donor:Swedish Government
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
CHwB saw that there was an urgent need to investigate
the current condition of the listed monuments, so as
to have a full picture of the situation. Information is
the key to better management. In any situation, policy-
makers, specialists and developers need to know the
true situation of the town that they are dealing with.
Therefore, CHwB, in collaboration with DRKK, has
conducted a risk assessment evaluation for 655 listed
buildings within the historical core of the city. The
results of this survey will be compiled in a statistical
report and GIS maps that will illustrate the level of
risk of the monuments of Gjirokastra. This report
will serve to alert the government
about the critical situation facing
the built heritage of the city and to
assist them in defining conservation
strategies according to the level of risk
and to build an operational plan for
interventions.
At the same time, CHwB is running
a pilot project on emergency
interventions on two monuments in the
city. With this project, CHwB is taking a
new approach: propping up monuments
that are in danger of collapse, in order
to prevent their further deterioration
until a strategy can be formed and
funds for restoration can be found.
19
understanding owners to change their approach
Facing the rapid loss of the authentic values of
Gjirokastra’s built heritage and knowing that change
can be achieved only with inclusive approaches,
CHwB decided to start an awareness campaign. The
multidimensional approach to understanding the
problem began with a survey focused on monument
owners and their understanding of the values their
buildings have.
The survey covered eight neighborhoods in the
monument owners surveyUnderstanding Gjirokastra owners’ knowledge and beliefs
May – June 2014
In partnership with:Peace Corps Albania
Donors:Swedish GovernmentHeadley Trust
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
historical part of Gjirokastra, with a total of 253
monument owners surveyed. The questions addressed
owners’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices in
relation to cultural heritage and restoration.
The survey team was comprised of CHwB staff, a US
Peace Corps volunteer and several young volunteers
from Gjirokastra. Following a brief training, three teams,
composed of one supervisor and two volunteers, were
each assigned to different neighborhoods.
The results of this survey will help us to conduct
community meetings and educational workshops,
addressing the
problems that the
historic zone is
facing. The more we
understand about the
intervention practices
of monument owners,
the more we will
understand about
why the authentic
value of Gjirokastra’s
built heritage is
deteriorating so quickly.
And, therefore, the
quicker we will be able
to reverse this trend.
20
an ancient communitya natural disastera monument restored
During the winter of 2012, the community of Voskopoja experienced record snow fall which caused the partial collapse of the roof of St. Nicholas Church. The church is the best and most complete of the five churches remaining in Voskopoja, and it is one of the best examples of the 18th-century Orthodox ecclesiastical architecture in the country as well as the wider Balkan region. The church’s interior is adorned with original frescoes, painted by the famous Albanian painter David Selenicasi. The damage to the church roof left this important cultural artifact vulnerable to concurrent structural impairments including water leakage and ceiling cracks. To address the damage to this important site, CHwB made an emergency
st. nicholas church, voskopojaEmergency intervention
July - December 2012
In partnership with:The Past for the Future
Donor:Prince Claus Fund
Total funding:€ 26.550
voskopoja
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
intervention to repair the collapsed roof. The primary objectives of the project were threefold: i) improve the structural state of the damaged roof; ii) engage local experts and craftsmen in the works; iii) establish guidelines for further maintenance.
Today, St. Nicholas Church serves as the primary church in Voskopoja – local people celebrate weekly Sunday worship services, weddings, funerals, and the high festivals of Christmas and Easter. It stands as a beautiful testament to three-hundred years of local history, including the recent period of religious oppression and the people and places that survived it.
Works conducted: Partial restoration of east narthex wall; restoration of narthex internal walls & vaults; installing metallic ties for stability; filling cracks on critical parts of exterior.
21
the young generation tells the story of the city
Tell the Story of Gjirokastra (TSG) is a cultural heritage
interpretation project designed to increase the level
of awareness of Gjirokastra’s residents about the
condition and intrinsic value of their cultural heritage
and to encourage their participation in its preservation
and conservation. The project aimed
to address the worsening problem
of the wide and rapid deterioration
of Gjirokastra’s heritage through
greater public awareness and active
participation in public dialogue.
The keystone of this project was a
poster competition for high school
students which would engage
participants in the process of
researching and interpreting their
cultural heritage through the medium
of art. Student submissions were
well researched and supported by
regular information sessions, meetings
with cultural heritage experts, and
key community members including
teachers and owners of historic
tell the story of gjirokastraInvolving students in heritage interpretation
September – December 2014
In partnership with:Peace Corps AlbaniaRegional Directorate of Education & Youth“Fato Berberi” Cultural Center
Donors:USAID; Swedish Govt; Headley Trust
Total funding:$ 5.500 (US)
gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
monuments.
Winning posters of the 23 high school students were
announced and recognized by a panel of judges at a
final award ceremony. They then traveled through
exhibitions in different Gjirokastra schools, as well as in
the city of Berat, which is another World Heritage city
that faces many of the same problems as Gjirokastra.
22
training conservatorssaving a neglected collection
Heritage Without Borders (UK) collaborated with CHwB to run a 10-day textile conservation training course for regional museum professionals in Gjirokastra, southern Albania, in April 2014.
Since the fall of the communist regime in Albania in the early 1990s, museums were almost completely abandoned, and many of the collections were lost, damaged or in a poor state of conservation. The same fate followed with the development of professional skills for the people working in museums. This course helped local heritage professionals from the region to
textile conservationRegional training held in Gjirokastra
April 2014
Heritage Without Borders (UK)In partnership with CHwB
Donor:The Clothworkers Foundation
Total funding:£ 14.000 (UK) gjirokastra
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
conserve and interpret a unique collection of textiles currently housed in the Gjirokastra Ethnographic Museum. During the training, they also provided support for the museum’s collection needs.
There were 12 regional participants from Albania, Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia.
The following primary aims were achieved: - Identified/improved traditional regional textile skills; - Enhanced regional skills in preventative textile conservation and display;- Identified the main risks and approaches for improving storage and display of costume and textiles in the Ethnographic Museum; - Engaged local craftswomen; - Explored possible ways of displaying and interpreting historic costumes and textiles.
23
Traditional crafts are vanishing day after day.
Experienced craftspeople find it impossible to enter
the restoration market, which is monopolized by the
licensed construction companies, while legislation is
missing that would acknowledge their skills and permit
them to work privately. Young people do not see any
future of employment in this field. Furthermore, the
lack of documentation on these crafts and techniques
is contributing to the loss of this knowledge. This is
happening because the market does not consider
craftspeople important. Though there is great
vocational trainingA certified training and job program for craftspeople
Seeking funding
In partnership with:Regional Directorate of Public
Vocational TrainingMin. of Social Welfare & YouthMin. of Culture
gjirokastra (pending)
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
need for them in historic cities across Albania, there
is no formalized means of recognizing them and
incorporating them into the market, which results in
lack of employment opportunities.
This projects aims to develop vocational trainings for
traditional crafts. Given the current situation, where
traditional crafts are vanishing because they have
not been transferred to the younger generation,
the necessity of this type of training becomes clear.
Certifying experienced masters and young craftspeople
will create a group of people who are physically and
legally able to conduct restoration works. The aim of
this project is to force by law their integration into the
restoration construction firms, as well as to enable
their self-employment. The amended law would serve
as a guarantee for future employment, which would
attract younger trainees. Their involvement in these
trainings, and their eventual certification and licensing,
will lower the unemployment rate.
Steps to be taken: Identification of the crafts and
craftspeople; Documenting and interpreting the historical
crafts; Creating the curricula; Licensing the craftspeople for
small restoration works; Creating conditions for continuous
employment; Changing the law for construction companies
licensed in restoration to hire qualified craftsmen – in
collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
and the Ministry of Culture.
24
management plans for sustainable heritage sites in the western balkans region
The core of the project was to establish and implement
a common methodology, while taking into account all
the differences in nature, characteristics and conditions
of individual sites, as well as the differences in local and
national socio-political, legal, cultural and economic
contexts in which the sites are situated.
These results are far more important than the
completion of the 7 Management Plans for sites in
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo,
Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The project also
contributed in strengthening the ties among heritage-
related practices and professionals, thus bringing long-
divided communities closer together, while providing a
set of pioneering management tools for heritage sites
in the Balkans.
The project was financed by the European Union
through the Regional Cooperation Council Task Force
on Culture and Society (RCCTFCS), Montenegro and
it serves the program “Sustaining the Rehabilitation of
Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans” within the
7 site management plansHeritage management & cross-border cooperation
July – October 2014
In partnership with:Europa Nostra SerbiaExpeditio: Center for Sustainable
Spatial DevelopmentCo-Plan: Institute for Habitat
Development
Donor:European Union
Total funding:€ 93.500
apollonia, fier Heraclea lyncestis,
bitola
besac fortress, virpazar
gazi meHmed pasHa
Hammam, prizren
caričin grad (iustiniana
prima)
roman city of siscia
national library (city Hall), sarajevo
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
framework of the Ljubljana Process II.
Results: 7 Site management plans in 7 countries of the
Western Balkans developed, 160 Local and national
stakeholders engaged, 21 Learning workshops implemented,
17 National experts engaged
25
The 100 Roofs project started as an initiative to
preserve the vernacular monuments of Serbia by
providing roof covering as a stabilization measure.
After the works were finalized on 7 such monuments,
the project was enlarged to include training activities
for young professionals, using the sites of ongoing
conservation for the training initiatives of the Regional
Restoration Camps (see page 27). Using this approach,
13 vernacular monuments were either fully or partially
restored, all across Serbia.
For the moment the focus of the project is on the
wine cellar complexes of Negotin, which are on the
tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
These wine cellars and the 100 Roofs project is used
as a field for training young professionals and engaging
the local community, in conjunction with the Regional
Restoration Camps being held in Rogljevo, Negotin.
It foresees the restoration of another 3 vernacular
monuments in the near future, and the ambitious title
indicates the plan to restore many more roofs in the
years to come.
100 roofsPreventive conservation of vernacular heritage in Serbia
serbia2006 - present
In partnership with:Republic Institute for Protection of
Monuments of Culture, Belgrade
Donors:Swedish Govt.; Serbian Govt.
Total fundingc. € 250.000
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
26
has established a wider platform for collaboration and exchange available to all museums across the Western Balkans. The Network is now open to all museums from region and includes more than 30 member institutions.
smarter, stronger, better together
The museum network was established in April 2006 by museum directors and key staff from eleven museums in the Western Balkans region, facilitated by CHwB. This project is based on strengthening the contacts and collaboration between museums in the Western Balkans. It aims to enhance cultural understanding, develop staff competence, facilitate exchange of ideas and exhibitions and make the museums more inviting to the public. Several workshops and seminars, including 3 large regional museum conferences called “Meet, See, Do,” have been organized on a wide variety of topics, such as museum management, strategic planning, exhibitions, communication, conservation and education. A series of major projects around access for disabled people has lead to improvements in museum access.
At the same time, it was also determined that a special network for female museum directors was required in order to address the specific needs of this group. Therefore, the Women’s International Leadership Development (WILD) programme was launched in 2012 and professional development workshops for women from six Balkan countries are held several times a year. Following the success of the ‘1+1:Life & Love’ simultaneous exhibition, the Balkan Museum Network
balkan museum networkA regional learning and development platform
2006 - present
In partnership with:CHwB Bosnia & HerzegovinaCHwB Kosovo
Donors:Swedish GovernmentStavros Niarchos FoundationSwedish Institute
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
A bit more about the BMN
member institutions and growing30+ Balkan countries6
BMN established in Uppsala, Sweden2006
11 museums from 6 countries organize the joint exhibition ‘1+1, Life & Love’
2011
BMN launched as an independent NGO in Tirana, Albania at the second regional conference ‘Meet, See, Do’
2014
First regional conference ‘Meet, See, Do’ held in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
2013
Third regional conference ‘Meet, See (critically), Do’ to be held in Novi Sad, Serbia
2015
museum professionals on the Steering Board
9 museum projects granted and managed
16
A bit more about the BMN
member institutions and growing30+ Balkan countries6
BMN established in Uppsala, Sweden2006
11 museums from 6 countries organize the joint exhibition ‘1+1, Life & Love’
2011
BMN launched as an independent NGO in Tirana, Albania at the second regional conference ‘Meet, See, Do’
2014
First regional conference ‘Meet, See, Do’ held in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
2013
Third regional conference ‘Meet, See (critically), Do’ to be held in Novi Sad, Serbia
2015
museum professionals on the Steering Board
9 museum projects granted and managed
16
27
community partnership, heritage and new technology for a better future
This project worked with a variety of partners and
stakeholders to create a shared vision for heritage in
Stolac, Bosnia & Herzegovina, a historic city that was
mostly destroyed during by war in the 1990s. Together,
project partners developed an innovative, digital model
in the form of augmented reality application. The model
was developed through educational activities carried
out during the project and is serving to rehabilitate
the image of the historic town of Stolac. Through the
project activities, we aimed to increase the professional
capacities in conservation/restoration and create a
notion of cultural understanding. Different target
groups have engaged in mapping, imaging and viewing
similar cultural heritage examples in the wider region
of Stolac, encouraging participation in utilizing heritage
as a potential source of social-economic development.
Through educational workshops, primarily the Regional
Restoration Camps (see page 27), a network of young
professionals from all parts of BiH and the region has
been created. The project connected tour operators
and local actors in the area and has encouraged new
generations to be promoters and guardians of cultural
heritage.
bridges to the futureConservation, Science, Technology & Education in Stolac
Nov 2012 - Jan 2014
In partnership with:CHwB Bosnia & HerzegovinaFoundation Tecnalia – Research & Innovation, SpainAssociation of Artist Deblokada, Bosnia & HerzegovinaTourist Association Stari Grad, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Donors:European Union
Total funding€ 199.969
stolac
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
28
As the ‘Make it yours!’ campaign continues to expand
and develop, future events will include activities with
schoolchildren, opportunities for politicians to take a
hand in the restoration process, continued engagement
with local and national media and awareness-building
events to encourage the community to invest in
preserving their local heritage.
heritage is for everyone
The main goals of ‘Make it Yours!’ are to increase
Albanians’ awareness of and involvement with their
heritage and to advocate for politicians and public
interest groups to take heritage into consideration.
Launched in Albania in March 2012, the campaign has
now been adopted by the CHwB offices
in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as
well.
Local heritage is an essential piece of human
identity, and a society’s active engagement
with heritage is one sign of a dynamic and
evolving culture. Therefore, ‘Make it yours!’
encourages everyone, from specialists to
media to politicians to everyday people,
to take an active role in using, preserving
and promoting their heritage. In Albanian,
the phrase ‘Bëje tënden!’ (written ‘Bone
tanden!’ in Kosovo and ‘Učini svojim!’ in
Bosnia and Herzegovina) captures both the
idea that people across the spectrum of
society should take personal responsibility
for their heritage and the idea that they
need to do their part to conserve and
advocate their heritage, in order to ensure
that it remains a source of pride and
inspiration for generations to come.
make it yours!Public awareness campaign for heritage
2012 - present
In partnership with:CHwB KosovoCHwB BiH
Donors:Swedish Government; European Union; USAID
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
gjirokastra
junik
sarajevo
tirana (pending)
Make it yours!
29
professional networkingcross-border cooperationinspiring conversation
As part of the regional project “Western Balkans
– From Historical Integration to Contemporary
Active Participation”, the Regional Heritage Seminar
series was aimed at using cultural
heritage as a platform for professionals,
proving conditions for reconciliation as
a prerequisite for peace and democracy
with respect to human rights, as well as to
stimulate local economic growth through
cultural heritage.
The seminars were held in Gjirokastra,
Prizren and Jajce, cities that managed to
maintain through the ages great values
of heritage and cultural diversity. They
brought together international and regional
experts, projects and individuals from a
range of backgrounds. They turned out to
be creative, positive and inspiring events
that helped explore connections between
people and heritage. Common ground was
found in the way that stories and emotions
unite us all – across time and place in the
regional heritage seminarsAn exchange platform for Balkan heritage professionals
2012 – 2014
In partnership with:Co-Plan – Institute for Habitat
Development, AlbaniaMozaik Foundation, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Donors:Swedish GovernmentEuropean Union
Total funding:€ 45.000 gjirokastra
prizren
jajce
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
conviction that heritage can make a difference.
Main results: more than 150 participants and speakers
from the Westerns Balkans and other regions of the world,
1 set of publications in three languages produced, a soon-
to-be-structured digital network of the Balkan’s heritage
professionals.
30
Nostra Award in the category of “Education, Training and Awareness Raising”.
As of August 2015, CHwB has held 22 Camps in 6 locations across the Western Balkans. A total of 607 participants, representing 25 countries, have completed more than 83 small conservation and restoration interventions for a total of more than 40,020 hours of hands-on work. Three additional Camps will be conducted in September/October 2015.
The Regional Restoration Camps represent a simple, successful, scalable training model, which has grown since 2007 from a few students in Albania to multiple sessions in four countries, with a diverse array of participants. The Camps form part of a region-wide push to encourage people to value and care for their local heritage. The main objective is to use cultural heritage as a platform for professionals, both men and women, to meet and create conditions for building peace within a democratic society, respecting human rights, and stimulating local economic growth through the development of cultural heritage.
Over the course of each Camp, participants follow a rigorous but fulfilling schedule, combining theory – through engaging lectures and presentations – with hands-on restoration work on historic monuments and museum collections in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo or Serbia. Each intervention directly helps local residents – using traditional materials and techniques to conserve their valuable buildings and artefacts and providing a new means of understanding, enjoying and revitalizing them.
Today, CHwB’s Regional Restoration Camps have become a keystone for bridging cultural differences throughout the Balkans and have earned the organization a respected reputation in the fields of restoration and cultural heritage. In 2014, the Camps won an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa
regional restoration campsTraining & cultural exchange program
September 2007 - present
In partnership with:Min. of Culture in Albania, Kosovo and SerbiaMultiple cultural directorates and institutesState & private universities in AlbaniaMany other civil society organizations
Donors:Swedish Govt; European Union; Adventures in Preservation
Total funding:c. € 20.000 per camp gjirokastra
mitrovicastolac
prizren
rogljevo
jajce
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
31
tackling balkan heritage challenges together
Cultural Heritage without Borders has initiated and
further supported the creation of a regional platform
for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) dealing
with the preservation and promotion of cultural
heritage across South East Europe (SEE). Initially,
twelve partner NGOs from the region (including
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia,
Montenegro and Serbia) expressed their willingness
to meet and to exchange views and experiences with
their colleagues.
Today, the network numbers 24 NGOs from across
SEE (including Romania and Croatia). The SEE Heritage
network gathers all those willing to contribute to
protecting and promoting South East European
heritage as a part of the common heritage of Europe
and the world. The vision of the network is: South East
Europe (SEE) – a region where people cooperate,
understand and respect each other on the basis of
their cultural differences, believing that cultural, ethnic
and religious diversity is a valuable resource.
see heritage networkAn independent heritage NGO network
2006 - present
In partnership with:CHwB KosovoCHwB Bosnia & Herzegovina
Donors:Swedish Government; Headley Trust;
Butrint Foundation; Soros Foundation
Total fundingc. € 250.000
Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project
Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project
We restore and build relations
albania chwb.org/albania Rr. Ismail QemaliP. 34/I, Kt. III, Zr. 15Tirana
Cover photo © Anduena DragoviDesign, texts, project photos © CHwB 2015“Glove” icon © Dolly Vu; “Light bulb” icon © Joe Harrison from thenounproject.com