The children of Gjirokastra are embracing the cultural heritage values of the city through educational and entertaining activities. To make the children love this values more, Cultural Heritage without Borders – Albania in collaboration with local actors, organized 4 heritage ateliers during 17-24 June, 2016.
On June 17th, 20 children aged 7-11 years old, took place in an atelier where they painted handmade wooden houses, built with recycled materials gathered from the 27th Regional Restoration Camp. Expect experiencing a great amusement with painting, the children also learned about the materials of Gjirokastra’s houses.
Some days later, on June 22nd, children aged 4-7 year old became part of the heritage atelier. The little ones had fun paining “Xhubleta” booklet, part of ‘E Ka Kush e Ka’ children series. The will and the interest shown by the children surprised us, whereas to their question ‘when will the next atelier be organized’, we answered with a “very soon” and hugs.
For Nikola, 7 years old, “the traditional costumes and the booklets are very interesting”, that is why he “would love to know and paint more”.
Arlisa Gushi, specialist of heritage at“Fato Berberi” Children’s Cultural Center, thinks that “learning through entertainment is the right way to pass on to the children the knowledge about heritage”.
On July 23rd at Babameto House’s yard, 26 children and 9 grandparents held a cultural heritage atelier with the paper model of Babameto House. We noticed that the completion of the model made the children want to visit this wonderful Gjirokastra house.
For Niko, 9 years old, this atelier was really special. “I really enjoyed the activity because after we completed the paper model of the house, we had the chance to visit the true stone house”.
Pandeli Çekani, 77 years old, took pleasure from the ateliers together with his nephew. “It was an educational activity that develops the thinking process of the children and ours, their grandparents. I like the idea that the youngsters should know the heritage and that we, the grandparents should provide them information about the old houses of Gjirokastra”.
The closing event of this activity was held on June 24th, where 15 children ages 5-6 years old participated in an atelie where they worked with the “Hamam” booklet. For about an hour the kids visited the hamam, the fountains around it and then painted the hamam booklet, part of E Ka Kush E Ka children series.
CHwB Albania takes the opportunity to thank “Fato Berberi” Children’s Cultural Center, the Gjirokastra Foundation and our volunteers Melita Cekani and Rezi Musta for their collaboration and the active involvement in this important activity for raising a generation that preserves and promotes the cultural heritage of Gjirokastra.