albania project portfolio - cultural heritage without...

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

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23Created by Joe Harrisonfrom the Noun Project

Created by Dolly Vufrom the Noun Project































3

4

5

6

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

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

















3

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.

4

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.

5

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

6

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


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



9

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


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



gjirokastra

10

April 2011 - April 2012

In partnership with:Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (GCDO)

Donors:Swedish Government (€ 74.000)Packard Humanities Institute


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



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



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



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.

13

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



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.

14

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


gjirokastra

tiranakruja

E KA KUSH E KAcultural heritage for the grown-ups of tomorrow and the children of yesterday



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




No. 4

Veshja e lashtë e Të Bukurës së Maleve

HAMAMInë Gjirokastër Një monument pranë ujit




No. 2

gjirokastra_children_book_shqip_04122013.indd 1 12/14/13 7:24 PM




Nr. 5

XHUBLETAVeshja e Lashtë e Alpeve Shqiptare

15

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


gjirokastra

Artizanet e AntigonesëWeavers/ Tezgjah punuese

GjiroArt Felt Makers/ Shajak punuese



16

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


gjirokastra



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.

17

October 2012 - April 2015

In partnership with:Institute for Monuments of CultureThe Past for the Future

Donor:Swedish Government


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



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



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



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


voskopoja



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



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



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)



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


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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

albania project portfolio - cultural heritage without...

Documents