ARTECH - Art, Rediscovery, Traditions, Eclectic, Contemporary, Heritage

Apply for Art Camp II in Gjirocastra, Albania

22-28 May 2022

Deadline: 5 May 2022

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Each year on 1st of March there is a tradition to celebrate the beginning of spring. This habit has its roots in ancient times and can be found in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Romania and can even be found in some parts of Albania, Greece and Serbia. The tradition is to make a white and red thread made of yarn. White yarn – Phizo, represents male and red – Penda, female side. After the thread is made, it is usually given to close loved ones and is typically worn as a bracelet around a wrist. The tradition says that it should not be bought for oneself, but only given as a gift. After the first stork or swallow is seen, or even a blossoming fruit, a thread is to be hung on a growing plant or a tree.

Summer Seminar was organized in cooperation between University of Hildesheim (Germany), UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policy and Management, University of Arts in Belgrade (Serbia), Europa Nostra Serbia and SEE Heritage Network and is funded by DAAD. It lasted for two weeks 12 – 24 September 2021.

Do you want to know more about cultural heritage, cultural tourism, performing arts, museums, and fashion? The Autumn Academy Cultural Entrepreneurship & Leadership (November 2021) offers an online mixture of lectures and workshops on cultural entrepreneurship and leadership.

• The similarities and differences in cultural entrepreneurship and leadership between European transition countries and Western European countries.
• The application of economic concepts to foster the cultural sector in terms of entrepreneurship and leadership.
• The importance of inspiration, knowledge and experience in common practices.

More information and application >>> 

We are happy to launch an Open Call for participants for the Summer Seminar Towards a performative turn in heritage:Case of WWII Monuments and Memorials in Western Balkans, which will take place in different locations in Serbia from 12-24th of September 2021. The Summer Seminar is organized in cooperation between University of Hildesheim (Germany), UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policy and Management of the University of Arts in Belgrade (Serbia), Europa Nostra Serbia and SEE Heritage Network and is funded by DAAD. 

The first state-owned textile factory in Vojvodina, North province of Serbia, which was established in 1770, has continued its production – in the last three years it has been producing creative ideas and various cultural contents. 

The Cultural Station ‘Svilara’ is forming a network of eight cultural stations throughout Novi Sad, which has been launched as part of the project "Novi Sad - European Capital of Culture". These spaces (former factories, sports heritage, local communities and cultural centers), among which ‘Svilara’ was the first to open as a cultural station, have not only been physically renovated but have been made available to cultural facilities, including citizens, artisans and artists in creating new city toponyms. Cultural Station ‘Svilara’ is the station with the main topic — cultural heritage. 

SEE Heritage is exceptionally concerned about the authority’s relation towards cultural heritage in the region. The situation in the whole SEE area has been rather alarming; there are many examples that are showing clear neglect and devastation of cultural heritage often described as a step towards space improvement, while it is all about investments in tempting locations.

One of SEE Heritage initiator, Professor Irina Subotic, is explaining in the interview what is happening in Belgrade and how huge and unstoppable these changes are.

Despite the fact that the National Theatre in Tirana has entered the 7 Most Endangered 2020 list, regardless of the fact that a large group of citizens, artists and intellectuals are petitioning for the building to be saved, it was demolished at the dawn on Sunday 17 May.

The building itself was designed by Italian architect Giulio Bertè in 1939. It was situated at the very core of Tirana’s center and it was a part of the Historic Center, and therefore, the area as an ensemble had some (at least written) level of protection. Nevertheless, the Institute for the Monuments Protection and Ministry of Culture have not had any public reaction regarding the Theater. This does not come as a surprise since laws and terminology regarding protected areas are changing on a regular basis.

SEE Heritage Network is please to share the Europa Nostra’s announcement of the 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2020.

Our network is especially pleased to see two nominees from member countries:

1. National Theatre of Albania in Tirana, Albania and 2. Belgrade Fortress and its Surroundings in Belgrade, Serbia

It is interesting that both sites have been threatened by debatable governments' decisions on possible construction investments. Luckily, in both countries these news shocked citizens and civil society. Soon a voice was raised against the announced changes that would do irreparable damage to these monuments. Much has been done to prevent potential damage. We hope that, in addition to all efforts, the publication of these two cultural assets on "the 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2020" list will greatly contribute to their continued preservation.

With catastrophic fires in Australia and global political uncertainty, this year did not start well, and it seems to us, SEE Heritage Network, that we humankind will have a lot work to do in this year. Probably many things and habits will have to be transformed, new behaviors implemented, yet there is no doubt that we need to unite in our efforts for better, safer, more rightful, more equal life on this incredible planet of ours that hosts us.

Therefore, even though it is still the very beginning of the year and the mood should be joyful, here is the full statement of Europa Nostra about using a cultural heritage as a weapon of war:

Europa Nostra: It is unacceptable to intentionally target cultural heritage as a weapon of war