Note: Those interested in applying for the camps for building conservation (Gjirokastra) and museum object conservation (Mitrovica) in September 2015 should click here.
Update: The application deadline for the camp in Prizren is July 31, 2015. Please send us all of your application materials by that date.
CHwB is offering the first ever Regional Restoration Camp that is focused entirely on interpretation of heritage. The 25th Regional Restoration Camp will be held in Prizren, Kosovo from 3-17 October 2015.
Until now, the model of the Regional Restoration Camps, winner of the prestigious EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award, has focused primarily on the conservation of buildings and museum objects. While interpretation was a lecture topic for each previous camp, this camp in Prizren will be the first interpretation camp — focused totally on interpretation of cultural heritage — exploring how to reach people with heritage and make it relevant for them.
What’s so special about Prizren?
Located in southwest Kosovo at the foot of the towering Sharri Mountains, the historic city of Prizren has seen a wealth of cultural influences as an important city of trade and crafts for centuries. The Prizren castle, dominating the city from a ridge above, contains an important part of the city’s history and identity. As an inherited asset from the Byzantine Empire, the primary function of the castle was a fortification that served to protect the population from attacks of various invaders. The castle continued in this role until 1912, from Byzantine times, through the medieval period and the Ottoman Empire. Now CHwB Kosovo is undertaking a project to preserve and interpret the castle for current and future generations, where the Regional Restoration Camps will play an important role.
Why practice interpretation?
Interpretation is a fast-growing specialization within the museum and heritage fields that helps museum curators and site managers better communicate the value of heritage to their visitors. It is about connecting people and place, bringing the past into the present, creating interactive learning experiences and opening up to critical reflection. Interpretation uses such techniques as storytelling, guides, panels, creative installations and electronic media to help audiences discover the values of heritage.
What will happen during this Camp?
During the Camp, participants in Prizren will go through an entire interpretation project from start to finish. Lectures and activities in Prizren will cover such topics as the principles and theory of interpretation, universal design and ethics, identifying target audiences, understanding and working with multiple voices and difficult histories, engaging with the community, digital interpretation and more. In the end, the interpretation strategies produced during the Camp will go toward supporting the project by Cultural Heritage without Borders—Kosovo to preserve, revitalize and interpret the fortress of Prizren. During the Camp excursion, you will have the chance to visit such cultural jewels as the Monastery at Deçan, the historic bazaar of Gjakova and the traditional kulla-style houses of Junik all within a short drive of each other (see photos below).
Left: Deçan Monastery by Jonathan Eaton; Top right: Gjakova Çarshia by Shkelzen Rexha; Bottom right: A restored kulla in Junik by CHwB Kosovo.
What does it cost?
The fee for participation in the Camps is 800 euros. This fee will cover tuition, on-site accommodation with breakfast, camp materials and planned excursions. Participants will be responsible for paying for their own meals, as well as their travel to/from Prizren. Those costs are not included in the participation fee.
For all accepted applicants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, there will be a scholarship to cover the costs of the Camp. The scholarship will pay the full 800 euro fee, including: tuition, on-site accommodation with breakfast, Camp excursions and materials for camp participation, including tools, papers, etc. Participants will still be responsible for covering their meal costs, as well as their travel to/from Prizren.
How can you apply?
1. Download the PDF application form (below)
2. Fill out the application completely, including all supporting documents
3. Send the entire application by email or post to:
Email:
gro.b1685328214whc@C1685328214RR1685328214
Post:
CHwB Albania Office
Rr. Ismail Qemali
P. 34/1, Kati III, Zyra 15
Tiranë, ALBANIA
4. CHwB staff will confirm that we have received your application. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 1 week, please contact us at gro.b1685328214whc@C1685328214RR1685328214.
We look forward to see you at one of the exciting Regional Restoration Camps of 2015!
“Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.” — Freeman Tilden, 1977, quoting the US National Park Service Administrative Manual