-
Damages to churches and other cultural / religious properties
during the recent riots 17-18 March 2004 in Kosovo
-Seminar
“Heritage for the future”
-The Heritage week 2003
-The Restoration of the Hadum Mosque in Gjakova
-The Project of the “Kulla Isa Boletini” in Boletin
village, Zvecan municipality
-The preparation and distribution of the technical binders for
the project “The Restoration of Five Kulla’s in Kosovo
2001-2002”
-Temporary covering of monuments in danger
-The Restoration of Five Kullas
-Seminars
-Logical Framework Approach (LFA) seminar
-Kulla Exhibition
-Maintenance Programme
-Awareness
-The new project “The Cultural Heritage of Dukagjin”
-
Damages to churches and other cultural / religious properties
during the recent riots 17-18 March 2004 in Kosovo
This document is a first step by CHwB to try to get control over
what actually happened with the orthodox and Serbian heritage
during the riots. With this as a base we hope we can contribute
to the protection of the monuments in danger. For
more information...
Seminar
“Heritage for the future” held
in Deçan Municipality
Final
Report
Contents
1. Initiative
2. Introduction
3. General objectives
4. Aims of the seminar
5. Activities
6. Results
7. Duration, time
8. Project assessment
1. Initiative
The
workshop “Heritage for the future” was initiated and
carried out by the Swedish foundation Cultural Heritage without
Borders (CHwB) in cooperation with the Italian association CICSENE
and with the support of Deçan Municipal Assembly and Business
Faculty in Peja. The project was supported by the Ministry of
Culture, Youth, Sports (MCYS).
2. Introduction
CHwB
has been active in Kosovo since spring 2001, selected as the implementing
partner for the project “Restoration of five Kullas in Kosovo
2001-2002”, a project financed by the European Agency for
Reconstruction EAR and the Swedish Sida.
The project “Restoration of five kullas…” was
done in the municipality of Deçan and Peja.
In close cooperation with MCYS and thanks to funding by Swedish
Sida, CHwB has continued its activities in Kosovo. During 2003-2004
the activities are focused in the realisation of the project “Multi
Cultural Heritage of Dukagjin” in the Deçan and Isniq
region.
The long term perspective is: the protection of the existing cultural
and architectonic heritage and how the development of tourism
can contribute to the preservation of this heritage.
In order to achieve this aim, it is necessary to work in two parallel
issues:
First – Protection of monuments and other physical structures
in a protected area such as roads, walls, water canals, trees
etc.
Second – Integration of cultural heritage monuments and
areas in the socio-economic development. This is a complex process
and is specific for each zone. The reasons are various: low level
of economic development (high level of poverty, lack of investments
and insufficient infrastructure), consequences from the past (damages
from the war and inadequate maintenance of monuments), low awareness,
poor management, property issues (private, public and undefined
ownership), etc. Certainly,
to overcome these problems, there is a need for creating acting
mechanisms from interest groups on different levels, always setting
out from existing potential and possibilities. This is also the
aim of MCYS.
CHwB has made efforts to give its contribution in creating these
mechanisms in the field of cultural heritage.
It is because of this that within the above mentioned project,
CHwB has planned several workshops that contributes to these mechanisms
and to the definition of the role that the different interest
groups could have (authorities, institutions, community etc.).
Dialogue with all interested people (Kulla owners, local experts,
architects, administrators …) has began already in 2001.
This workshop will offer possibilities to continue in raising
awareness and in achieving some practical results. The community
will be a central point for this, as a whole in some parts and
through representative members, who will continue to be active
in the project in the future (owners, students, cultural and social
organisations...).
3. General objectives
The
general objective of the project is the transformation of historically
and visually attractive areas, one in Deçan and one in
Isniq, into tourist areas, based on local tradition and culture.
It is of course of greatest importance that the tourism is respecting
the local inhabitants and that it is sustainable.
4. Aims of the workshop
#
Direct contact between the heritage authorities and the community,
regarding the heritage and tourism issues - raising the issues
for discussion.
# Raising the community awareness regarding the potentials and
opportunities for development of local tourism in heritage areas.
# Creating local organisations and cooperatives that deals with
organising and managing activities.
# Developing the concept of how to use the area, based on good
practices.
# Developing a sustainable management structure for the next project.
5. Activities
#
Lectures
In the first two days, there were lectures held by local and international
experts relating to the situation, advantages and possibilities
for developing a sustainable tourism in the region. There have
been examples given from different countries about this issue.
The lecturers were: Architect Dick Sandberg, CHwB, Sweden; Architect
Marina Pelfini, CISCENE/Torino Polytechnic University, Italy;
Professor Armand Krasniqi and Lecturer Theranda Beqiri, Business
School in Peja; Professor Architect Shqipe Nixha, Architecture
Faculty in Prishtina, Professor Fejaz Drançolli, Central
Institute for Protection of Monuments in Kosovo; Mr. Patrick Buse,
UNMIK, Decan; Mr. Hazir Qufaj, Deçan; Architect Shkelzen
Shehu, Deçan Municipality; Mr. Rexhep Maksutaj, Isniq Community;
Mr. Abdyl Hoxha, Kulla owner and Head of Peja IPM; Architect Sali
Shoshaj and Architect Bujar Prestreshi, CHwB.
First
day:
- A presentation of the projects ”Multi Cultural Heritage
of Dukagjin” and ”Restoration of five kullas”.
- Creating attractions, creating institutions.
- Role of the Municipality in relation to inhabitants.
- History of the Kulla project.
- Kulla owners offer their experience in relation to the project.
- Understanding other experiences (in places where cultural heritage
was a foundation for the local development).
- Kras example (Slovenia).
- Roads in heritage areas.
Second day:
- Description of tourism situation in Deçan, analysis of
resources and dynamics
- Analysis of current tourism situation in Kosovo, overview on
the situation of Peja region especially Deçan – possibilities
for development in the future
- Complex of kullas in Dukagjin
- History and architecture of kullas
- Organised walk in the historical area of Deçan
- Heritage Week, Isniq 2003
- Cultural heritage and communication
- The documentation of the CHwB projects.
# Planning sessions
Planning sessions were organised on the third and fourth day in
which the participants were informed on ways of planning tourist
agendas, ”SWOT” analysis etc.
Third
day:
- Understanding of economic principles in similar situations,
economic aspects of the project
- Division of participants into mixed groups (architects, owners,
businessmen,…) Each group plans a strategy for an agenda.
- „Schoolchildren give ideas“. Schoolchildren from
elementary schools where invited.
Fourth
day:
- Planning of an agenda for a potential holiday in Isniq or Deçan.
Workshop
ends with a cocktail organised in the Kulla Demukaj.
6. Results
#
Satisfactory participation during the four days by the interest
and target groups (community, municipality, the heritage institutions,
pupils from elementary schools, students from architecture faculty
and school of business, businessmen, media and other citizens).
# Creation of a working group, including representatives of all
the interest groups dealing with issues of heritage, its use and
the socio-economic aspects of the community.
7. Duration, time
Preparations
for the seminar began since September. The seminar took place
from the 2nd to the 5th of December. The daily schedule was from
9.00 to 17.00 hrs.
8. Comments from the participants
-
“Experiences and different ideas were gained on how to use
the cultural and natural heritage resources for development of
tourism and economy in Deçan municipality.”
- “There was an awareness and sensibility in the exchange
of ideas.”
- “The seminar “Cultural heritage for the future”
was one of the most important recent events, that achieved in
creating a clearer vision on not only how to find ways and opportunities
to use our heritage but also how to earn some money.”
- “Success lies on a good beginning.”
- “It was a good effort towards the development of tourism.”
- “Seminar was effective in raising the awareness of Deçan’s
citizens who showed an interest in the preservation of the heritage.”
- “Results are undoubtedly positive and the participants
have understood the aim of the seminar.”
-“Seminar could serve as a model on how a community can
get organised in using the resources for the benefit of an economic
development on a local level.”
- “The fact that there was a need for this seminar can be
indicated by the presence of participants throughout the four
days.”
Administrator
of Deçan Municipality attending in the workshop.
Marina
is lecturing.
Satisfied,
UNMIK and young students.
Not
enough space for interested people.
This
is caffe break, Marina and Flora! So stop worrying.
Participants
concentrated.
One
of the children showing the drawing of the kulla.
Medias
in the workshop.
Another
view before having a new road.
Walking in the old street, for getting new ideas.
Working
sessions.
Event
day in the "Kulla e Demukajve".
Enjoying
the event.
Participants
singing, not professional singers.
Last
moments in the workshop activities.
Celebrating
successful workshop.
December,
2003
The Heritage week
During
the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October 2003, Isniq was the host of a
cultural celebration - ‘The Heritage Week’. This event
was the first of its kind to present the region’s rich cultural
and ethnic values.
The project was initiated and implemented by the Swedish foundation
CHwB in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sport, the Decan municipality, the local NGO “ORTA”
and the local community. It was an important issue inside the
overall project that CHwB is running in Kosovo since 2002 –
“The Multi-cultural Heritage of Dukagjin”, which started
after the successful ending of the project “Restoration
of Five Kullas in Kosovo 2001-2002”.
The
long-term goals of the project “The Multi-cultural Heritage
of Dukagjin” is: - How can the preservation of the existing
cultural and architectural heritage help the local inhabitants
in the development of tourism. Dukagjin area in the west part
of Kosovo has these values. The challenge is to use them for socio-economic
development, and at the same time raise the awareness of the cultural
values, both on a local and a national level.
It is necessary to work with two parallel issues:
First- How to preserve buildings and other physical structures
such as roads, walls, water canals, trees, etc.
Second – How to integrate cultural heritage buildings -
or areas - into a socio-economic development. It is a complicated
process, unique for each area, with both authorities and a lot
of interest groups involved.
The
heritage week in Isniq was a practical example of how to create
a mechanism for taking care of existing resources within a village.
Isniq has a large number of Kullas, and most of them are located
in the centre, typical for the villages of the Dukagjin area.
Two of the restored Kullas 2001-2002 are situated here, which
was an important reason for choosing Isniq as the host for the
celebration.
During
the three days
celebration, the rich heritage of the region was presented through
various exhibitions, an artisan market, traditional games, songs
and dances.
The first day was dedicated to schoolchildren, who had the opportunity
to get in contact with different aspects of traditional as well
as daily life of Isniq. The schoolchildren of the primary school
‘Isa Boletini’ had prepared games and they also performed
a variety of dances. Further more the children visited the ethnographic
exhibition that was held in the Osdautaj Kulla, while groups of
children painted different views of the village.
The
second day was the main day of the celebration, with thousands
of visitors that came together in the village square. The celebration
continued until the late hours of the day.
The
third day was for university students to get to know and to discuss
their heritage.
The
Exhibitions:
• The ethnographic exhibition, with the rural family as
its main feature, was organised by students of the Faculty of
Ethnology, who had made interviews and collected artefacts in
the village during the summer. The exhibition can still be seen
in the restored Kulla Osdautaj near the centre.
• The photo exhibition by the Swedish photographer Ann Christine
Eek was in the other restored kulla – Kuklecve. The pictures
where taken in Isniq in 1976, while Eek was travelling together
with the famous anthropologist Berit Backer.
• The photo exhibition by the Kosovar photographer Sadri
Hadergjonaj.
The
Handicrafts Market
With the help of local craftsmen, 19 stands were erected in the
market. In and close to the stands a large number of craftsmen
and farmers showed their colourful handicraft and products: traditional
male and female dresses, textiles, traditional hand tools, music
instruments, regional food, etc. The market was very appreciated
both by the producers and the visitors.
Traditional
Games and Dances
The (professional) traditional dance groups ‘Shota’
and ‘Rugova’ took part in the celebrations with the
performance of a variety of dances and songs. Other (amateur)
groups were also present and took part in the games that were
organised for children as well as adults. The members of the theatre
of Klina, performed in the “Oda” (“Men’s
Room” or “Guest room”) in Kulla Osdautaj. Together
with the village elders, they recreated the unique atmosphere
of the Oda.
This, as well as the hospitality that was demonstrated by the
rest of the villagers, showed clearly the old Albanian saying
that “Our house belongs to God and guests”. According
to tradition, many of the Isniq families kept the doors open to
their houses, which in itself is a symbol of welcome. The guests
where served traditional Kosovar dishes, which made a strong impression
on the many foreign visitors.
Result
The Heritage Week had approximately five thousand visitors. It
was also well covered in Kosovar media as a very important cultural
event. One of the local television stations showed five 30-minutes
documentaries in the following weeks. In the evaluation afterwards
the board that was running the week decided to make it an annual
festival. The Ministry of Culture and the Decan Municipality has
shown great interest in an even closer cooperation in the future.
There are also serious commercial interests for sponsoring in
the festivals to come.
The way that the underlying problem was tackled enabled a positive
communication with the local inhabitants. They became the main
owners of the project. Not only the community leader but also
the ordinary inhabitants has understood the possibilities for
the future.
Swedish Sida finances the project.
The Packard Foundation from USA through the US NGO “Kosovo
Cultural Heritage project” is the Donor for the restoration
of the Hadum Mosque in Gjakova. CHwB is the implementing partner
for the restoration, a work that is done in cooperation with the
Ministry of Culture/Heritage Division, the Institute for Protection
of Monuments in Gjakova and the Islamic society. The restoration
works will be done in two steps: The first phase started during
2003 with repairing the leaking roof and covering the minaret
for the winter, together with for research for materials that
will be needed in order to reach the expected quality.
During the second phase, starting in spring 2004, the top of the
minaret will be rebuilt, the exterior façade and portico
restored and the yard reconstructed.
Prof. S. Lamei and O. Gojani (IPMGJ) studying the stone walls of
the mosque.
Before
the reconstruction
of the minaret.
December,
2003
The
Project of the “Kulla Isa Boletini” in Boletin village,
Zvecan municipality
The
fortified complex of “Kulla Isa Boletini” is of great
importance for the Kosovo-Albanian history. The Kulla was built
at the end of the 19th century (1897-1898). It was at this time
that the building took a historic and institutional role; many
important decisions were made inside the kulla.
The ‘Isa Boletini’ complex had a good strategic position
on the hill close to the orthodox monastery. From there the entire
village can be seen. Today you can still enjoy the beautiful view
over the valley. Today
only the ruins of the original kulla remains, but the two floors
“Firehouse” (kitchen house) is about to be restored.
The project is cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sport, the municipality of Zvecan and CHwB, where the CHwB’s
Kosovo office will manage the restoration works during 2004. A
construction company is contracted and a discussion about the
future use of the building has started. The
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Swedish Sida fund the
restoration works.
Since a large number of the cultural heritage monuments in Kosovo
was badly damaged during the war 1998-99 and are still not protected
from the weather, their final destruction is only matter of time.
This is main reason why CHwB has started a small project with
the main purpose to give examples how to make temporary weather
protection for these monuments. Within this project the Deçan
Mill (see photo), the Nivokaz “Turbe” (mausoleum)
and the Kulla of Mushkolajve in Deçan (see photo) are to
be covered (see photos).
The project is very important due to the fact that in this way
the monuments will be protected until further funds are found
for their restoration and until they are placed under full institutional
protection. CHwB also hopes that this project will also make the
owners and the community aware of that this relatively cheap covering
can save enormous cultural heritage values for the future. The
final cost for a future restoration will also be much lower.
Swedish Sida finances the project.
The
preparation and distribution of the technical binders for the
project “The Restoration of Five Kulla’s in Kosovo
2001-2002”
Once a building is restored it is very important to make documentation,
showing what was actually done.
In this way, anyone can have access the documentation in order
to find out more about the restored monument and the restoration
- to learn, to evaluate but also to make the correct conclusions
for the maintenance of the building.
Therefore CHwB has produced five binders, one for each restored
kulla. In the binder you can find the revised drawings and descriptions
showing what was done, how it was done and the material used for
both the structure and the installations. You can also read the
evaluation of the restoration made by the Institute for the Protection
of Monuments in Kosovo, the list of names of all the participants
(including the craftsmen and the material suppliers) and photo
documentation.
The binders are printed in 35 copies and have been distributed
to the Ministry of Culture/ Heritage Division, the Institutes
for the Protection of Monuments in Prishtina, Peja, Gjakova and
Prizren, the municipalities of Deçan and Peja and to the
Faculty of Architecture. They have also been given to the architects,
the house owners and the construction companies involved in the
restoration.
The above mentioned monuments are: The Kulla e Shaban Gockes in
Peja, the Kullas Osdautaj and Kuklecve in Isniq, the Kulla Demukaj
in Deçan and the Kulla Oda e Junikut in Junik.
Swedish Sida finances the project.
In the year 2001 the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR),
together with Decan municipality and UNMIK/Department of Culture,
initiated the project “The Reconstruction of Five Kullas
in Kosovo”. The project was financed by the EAR and the
Swedish Government through Sida and it was implemented by CHwB.
A Kulla is a small family stone fortress, with a wall surrounded
yard, in a village or a town. Out of the several hundred destroyed
Kullas, one from Peja/Pec town, two from Isniq village, one from
Deçan town and one from Junik village were chosen for this
project, each in different levels of destruction.
Kosovar architects were involved and local construction companies
were contracted. Traditional materials and techniques were used
and the works were done according to international restoration
principles.
During
the entire project, CHwB worked with education and training of
all professionals involved, from authorities to craftsmen. Eleven
seminars was conducted on site in order to exchange views and
experiences. The master craftsmen for stone and wood demonstrated
their techniques; the builders described their difficulties and
the responsible architect informed about their objectives and
choice of design solutions, in front of the many people participating
in the seminars.
Logical
Framework Approach (LFA) seminar
The
CHwB, together with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports,
organised the seminar concerning the cultural heritage in June
2002. The seminar, which was lead by Mr. Dick Sandberg, CHwB's
international project manager, was attended by representatives
from the Ministry of Culture, the Municipalities, the Institute
for the Protection of Monuments in Kosovo, the Faculty of Architecture,
owners of the Kullas, the construction companies and the four
responsible architects. The Focal problem agreed on and discussed
was “The destroyed mechanism for the rehabilitation of cultural
heritage ( in particular the Kullas ) in Kosovo, according to
the international standards and criteria” and also the causes
and consequences connected to the Focal problem.
In the evaluation of the two days seminar, two urgent needs related
to the cultural heritage in Kosovo occurred:
a) Incorporation of the cultural heritage complexes in the Spatial
Planning process and
b) Establishment of tourist activities through the protection
of the cultural heritage.
Seminar
during the restoration works in the"Kulla e Shaban Gockës",
Peja /Pec.
Seminar
in the kulla"Oda e Junikut" in Junik.
LFA
Seminar held in Prishtina.
June,
2003
Kulla Exhibition
The
Kulla project was ended with an exhibition, which was considered
as very important and successful. Due to the fact that we did
not publish any information bulletin then, we thought we should
mention this now at the time when we are just about to start with
these publications. The exhibition was held on 18 June 2002 in
the Museum of Prishtina, and it was open for 7 days for the public.
The speakers in the exhibition were the minister of culture Mr.
Behxhet Brajshori, Dick Sandberg from CHwB and Thierry Bernard-Guele
from the European Agency for Reconstruction. The same exhibition
was presented on 27 June in the Ethnographic Museum of Peja/Pec,
for a period of two weeks. This exhibition presented the restoration
projects for each Kulla through graphics and pictures. A model
of the Peja/Pec Kulla was also presented as well as the video
recording from the restoration works. The exhibition informed
the public about the significant importance of the protection
of the cultural heritage. All these events were financially supported
by the EAR and Sida.
Currently
we are working on preparation of the Maintenance Programme for
the five restored Kullas. We are aware of that once the restoration
is finished, there is still a lot to be done in order to maintain
the buildings in good shape for a long time. The Maintenance programme
is done by the local staff, supervised by our international manager.
We believe it will be an important contribution to the future
of the heritage of Kosovo.
The programme contains general and special information about how
to maintain an old building with heritage values. Through drawings,
pictures, and in writing a brief history is presented and the
motives for the maintenance, description of how to take care of
the house in practice and the laws and regulations for protection
is described. There is also a list of people who participated
in the restoration project 2001-2002 as well as a list of where
additional information could be provided for the building.
This activity is financially supported by Sida.
Stone
wall that will change its appearence by the time.
Interior
wood details that will need proper maintenance.
June,
2003
Awareness
Through different activities the project “Restoration of
five Kullas”, made a lot of people in the region of Dukagjin
aware of what the protection of the heritage means. “-The
owners, even if they do not have funds to invest, they will at
least not damage the outstanding heritage. The self confidence
is again growing among people” says a representative of
the Decani municipality.
A local construction company stated that before this project started,
they had quite some requests from the owners to “clean”
the gardens from the remaining parts of the destroyed stone walls,
while now after the project, it seems that people are much more
aware and each of them are doing the best to keep and take care
on what is left.
October,
2002, celebrating with community and interested organisations finish
of the restoration. Moment of giving the keys to the owners of monuments.
The new project “The Cultural Heritage of Dukagjin”
The
project “ The multi cultural heritage of Dukagjini”
is initiated as a result of the needs of this region for a more
general approach toward the cultural heritage. This is related
to the complexity of the ethnic relations in the region and the
intention to make the culture as a bridge to link people together.
The social and economic development will also be a subject for
discussion and analysis. The project will have several development
phases.
First phase: Preliminary Research
We have started with the preliminary research work in two important
centres with cultural heritage: the complex of Kullas in Isniq
and “the old street” in Decan.
In this First Investigation phase, students from the faculty of
Architecture has been engaged in measuring a number of Kullas
and two mills, under the management of the Institute for Protection
of Monuments in Gjakova. The work has been financially supported
by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports together with Sida.
Second
Phase: The social and economic development aspects
This phase will be developed during the year of 2003 and 2004
with cooperation between interest groups in order to protect the
cultural heritage. The local initiatives will be supported by
appropriate institutes for economic research. We will also work
with the programme for both the areas as a whole and with individual
buildings. This phase will be financed by Sida.
Third
Phase: Restoration works
When agreements about the use of the private heritage buildings
that contributes to the development of the area, are signed with
the owners, CHwB will be able to partly finance and also to manage
the restoration works. This phase is expected to be the last one
to be completed after all other aspects of the project have been
discussed, but it is the primary reason for the works done: to
save the cultural heritage for the future.This phase will be financed
by Sida, but hopefully also by the house owners, other private
donors, the Authorities and other external organizations than
Sida who then will contribute to a successful heritage programme.
