Kulturarv utan Gränser
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Velika Hoca
The village of Velika Hoca was once widely famous for its wine production, which generated a rich collection of buildings of historical and cultural interest, for instance a number of medieval churches. During the war wine production, which had been so important for the village, was unfortunately destroyed. Unemployment in the village is around 70% and many of the historic buildings are falling into disrepair. In Velika Hoca Cultural Heritage without Borders is working to try and restore public buildings of great historical importance.
We are supporting the restoration of some of these buildings. It is not entirely without its complications to carry out this project which has been opposed by both the Orthodox Church and the new leadership for the heritage institute in Belgrade. From the Serbian side there have been certain worries about losing control of Kosovo. In order to realise the project we have had close cooperation with the village, as well as with the Swedish embassy and UN’s representatives in Kosovo, UNMIK.
After two and a half years of discussions about this project, finally we were able to sign an agreement for a project with elected representatives of Velika Hoca during the spring of 2005. A steer group has been formed to take responsibility for the restoration and various other activities. The first restoration to be undertaken is the communal building, known as the Serai.
We hope that this project will contribute to both the conservation of cultural property and to increased possibilities for the village to become more self-sufficient through investments in small-scale tourism. Organisation of seminars in connection with the restorations helps to raise the level of skills and build networks within the heritage sector. An important part of the project involves work to attract attention from the media, politicians and the general public for the significance of heritage issues. Since Velika Hoca is a Serbian enclave in Kosovo, contacts with Kosovar society leads to reconciliation and normalisation in the area.
Project manager Dick Sandberg
Funding Sida and EAR (European Agency for Reconstruction)
