Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development. Friday 27 May 2011 Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo

Transcription

1 Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development Friday 27 May 2011 Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo The workshop opened with a greeting delivered by the Director of the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation, Mrs. Anna Assimakopoulos. Mrs. Assimakopoulos welcomed the participants and presented the agenda of the workshop. (The full Agenda of the Workshop as well as a List of Participants are appended as Annex A hereto) The Project Manager, Mr. Stephan Doempke, representing the Coordinating Partner, Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization delivered the Keynote Speech entitled Economic Development and the Preservation of Historic Cities. Mr. Doempke made a point that expenses incurred for cultural heritage must be considered investments, not costs. He discussed the economic benefits from investments in built cultural heritage from the point of view of gains to the tourism industry and the real estate market, arguing that there are significant gains from otherwise costly restorations. The significant amounts needed for the restoration of vernacular cultural monuments required the mobilization of private capital. (Copies of all Presentations are included as Annex B hereto) The workshop continued with a presentation delivered by Mrs. Elena Averoff, Member of the Board of Directors of the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation and former President of World Crafts Council International entitled Integrated Sustainable Development of Rural Settlements-The case study of Metsovo. Mrs. Averoff presented the historical background of the village of Metsovo and how the village leveraged upon its tangible/built and intangible cultural heritage in order to achieve integrated sustainable development, social cohesion and economic prosperity. In the presentation that followed entitled The contribution of the Information Society to the promotion and exploitation of the cultural heritage, Mr. Odysseas Raptis from the consulting company In the Know discussed the benefits offered by Information Technologies for the recording, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage within and beyond the context of the EVAH project. Mrs. Virginia Mavrika of the 8th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities (Greece) developed the theme of preservation of local architectural heritage and touristic development presenting examples from the Ephorate s activities in the historic city centre of Ioannina as well as in other locations in the Prefecture of Ioannina and in neigbouring Albania. Mrs. Mavrika also analyzed the link between the development EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 1

2 of built cultural heritage with the tourism industry and provided guidelines for cooperation in the context of the EVAH project. The next presentation following the coffee break was entitled Conservation of the cultural heritage in Shirok Sokak (Walking area) as a precondition for economic development in Bitola, and it was delivered by Mrs. Snezana Gerasimova- Mateska, Cultural Heritage Protection Office (the fyrom). Mrs. Gerasimova presented the historical background of the case study of Shirok Sokak in Bitola and the national framework for the protection, funding and economic benefits of cultural monuments preservation activities in the fyrom. Mr. Kliti Kallamata, restorer and architect from the Past and the Future foundation in Albania delivered a presentation entitled Cultural tourism development in the region of the Korce in Albania, the case study of the restoration of the Church of St George in Shipcka. Mr. Kallamata presented the restoration of the Church of St. George, as a part of a greater project in the area of the Region of Korce in Albania, aimed at linking the restoration of the region s ecclesiastic cultural heritage with the revival of the region as well as its economic development based on cultural tourism. Finally, the workshop closed with a presentation delivered by Mrs. Elenita Roshi of GCDO in Albania entitled Economic Development through Restoration and Revitalization of Gjirokastra's Historic City Center. Against a theoretical backdrop of the value of cultural heritage today, Mrs. Roshi presented examples of restoration projects in the city of Gjirokastra in Albania and their link to the revitalization of the local community. Ms. Roshi presented a mechanism in which the collaboration between house owners, NGO-s, donors and stakeholders adds value to the restoration process and creates great examples of revitalization. The speakers delivered concise answers to the questions posed by the participants following their respective presentations. After lunch, the participants held extensive discussions in the context of the Round Table planned. The issues raised in the speaker presentations as well as the questions that followed were further analyzed. Round Table discussions were structured around the following four (4) themes: The economic benefits of Cultural Heritage-Revitalization Case Studies: local development and cultural heritage IT tools and cultural heritage Handicrafts and cultural heritage Tourism and Cultural Heritage Overall Conclusions-Recommendations The conclusions drawn per theme were recorded by Round Table Co-Chair and Recorder, Mrs. Anna Assimakopoulos. (The Conclusions of the Round Table Discussion are included as Annex C hereto) EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 2

3 All material related to the Workshop 1 is included on the EVAH project website at: EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 3

4 ANNEX A Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development AGENDA EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 4

5 Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development Friday 27 May 2011 Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo 9:00-9:10 Registration Welcome address 9:10-9:30 Economic Development and the Preservation of Historic Cities, Stephan DOEMPKE, EVAH Project Manager, Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (Albania) 9:30-10:10 Integrated sustainable development of traditional rural settlements: the case study of the city of Metsovo, Elena AVEROFF, Board member of EEF and former International President of World Crafts Council (Greece) Questions for the speaker 10:10-10:50 Preservation of local architectural heritage and touristic development, Barbara PAPADOPOULOU, Head of the 8th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities (Greece) Questions for the speaker 10:50-11:30 The contribution of the Information Society to the promotion and exploitation of the cultural heritage, Odysseas RAPTIS, In the Know (Greece) Questions for the speaker 11:30-12:00 Coffee Break 12:00-12:40 Conservation of the cultural heritage in Shirok Sokak (Walking area) as a precondition for economic development in Bitola, Snezana GERASIMOVA- MATESKA, Cultural Heritage Protection Office (the fyrom) Questions for the speaker 12:40-13:20 Cultural tourism development in the region of the Korce in Albania, the case study of the restoration of the Church of St George in Shipcka, Kliti KALLAMATA, restorer & architect, the Past for the Future Foundation (Albania) Questions for the speaker 13:20-14:00 Economic Development Through Restoration and Revitalization of Gjirokastra's Historic City Center, Elenita ROSHI, Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization (Albania) Questions for the speaker 14:00 Lunch, Buffet at the Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo 15:00-17:00 Round Table Discussion-Conclusions 17:00 End of Workshop EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 5

6 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS A/a Name Organization Country Contact details 1 Sadi Petrela GCDO Albania spetrela@gjirokastra.org 2 Gezim Halili Ministry for Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Albania g.halili@yahoo.com 3 Irida Hasa Ministry for Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports 4 Eranda Bedalli Ministry for Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Albania Albania iridahasa@hotmail.com e_bedalli@hotmail.com 5 Enkeleda Roze GCDO Albania eroze@gjirokastra.org 6 Odise Kote Municipality of Albania Okote2003@yhaoo.com Gjirokastra 7 Vangjel Muco Municipality of Gjirokastra Albania 8 Elenita Roshi GCDO Albania eroshi@gjirokastra.org 9 Eugen Kallfani Municipality of Albania Kallfani2007@yahoo.com Berat 10 Marius Qytyku Bashkia Berat Albania mqytyku@yahoo.com 11 Stephan Doempke GCDO Albania sdoempke@gjirokastra.org 12 Mariela Hoxha State Institute for Cultural Monuments Albania Hoxha.mariela@gmail.com 13 Luciano Bojaxhiu State Institute for Cultural Monuments Albania archlucianob@gmail.com 14 Lubjana Baoja GCDO Albania lbaoja@gjirokastra.com 15 Spartak Drasa Regional Albania drasaspartak@hotmail.com Directorates for Culture 16 Kliti Kallamata The Past for the Albania kkallamata@yahoo.com Future Foundation 17 Zoran Todorovski MATA fyrom zoran.t@matacraft.org.mk 18 Vesna MATA fyrom vesna.a@matacraft.org.mk Avramovska 19 Mirjana Colovic Dimovska Ministry of Culture, Cultural Heritage Protection Office fyrom m.colovic@uzkn.gov.mk 20 Snezana Ministry of fyrom s.mateska@uzkn.gov.mk EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 6

7 Gerasimova- Mateska Culture, Cultural Heritage Protection Office 21 Mirjana Todorovska National Conservation Center of Cultural Heritage fyrom 22 Konstantin Dimitrovski National Institution Conservation Centre Skopje fyrom 23 Olivera Dzartovska Tachevska Museum of the city of Skopje- Museum of the Skopje Old Bazaar fyrom 24 Mirka Ilioska ICOMOS MK fyrom 25 Vesna Naumovska National Institution for the protection of monuments of culture and Museum Ohrid 26 Goran Patchev National Institution for the protection of monuments of culture and Museum Ohrid fyrom fyrom 27 Katerina Municipality of fyrom Gorgioska Ohrid 28 Antonio Baleski Municipality of fyrom Ohrid 29 Erkan VARDARI ATTA Kosovo 30 Arben SHALA Civic Forum for Kosovo Cultural Heritage 31 Shpresa OSMANOLLAJ Prizren Municipality - Kosovo shpresa_o@hotmail.com 32 Fikret TIKVEŞ Institute for Kosovo fikrettikves@yahoo.com Monument Protection/Prizren 33 Jusuf XHIBO Institute for Kosovo jxhibo@yahoo.com Monument Protection/Prizren 34 Fatmir Handicraft and Kosovo fkomot@yahoo.com EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 7

8 KARABAXHAKU Businessmen Association 35 Bariu ZENELAJ ATTA Kosovo 36 Miltos Gitas Journalist, artist Greece 37 Virginia Mavrika 8 th Ephorate of Greece vmavrika@cc.uoi.gr Byzantine Antiquities 38 Clara Puech EEF Greece cpuech@epcon.gr 39 Anna EEF Greece eef@forthnet.gr Assimakopoulos 40 Kalliopi Rekata EE21F Greece krekata@epcon.gr 41 Elena Averoff EEF22 Greece Elena@averoff.gr 42 Kolokouri Eleni Municipality of Greece elenikolorouki@gmail.com B. Tzoumerkon 43 Lantavos Alkis Municipality of Greece alkislantavos@gmail.com B. Tzoumerkon 44 Natasha Mani Prefecture of Greece natasamani@gmail.com Epirus 45 Apostolos Bisas Tositsa Greece Foundation 46 Sotiris Xorevas KEPAVI Greece 47 Nikolaos Xaritos KEPAVI Greece 48 Kostas Tritos Tositsa Greece Foundation 49 Nikolaos Municipality of Greece Tsoumpikos Metsovo 50 Nikolaos Xronis Municipality of Greece kronisnikos@yahoo.gr Metsovo 51 Ioannis Averoff EEF Greece eef@forthnet.gr 52 Odysseas Raptis In the Know Greece intheknow.42100@gmail.com EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 8

9 ANNEX B Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development PRESENTATIONS Friday 27 May 2011 Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo All presentations delivered at the Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage - A Motor for Economic Development are currently available to the Project Partners at the Collaboration Space of the Project Website and will be uploaded to the project website along with the final version of the Minutes of the workshop. EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 9

10 ANNEX C Workshop 1 Cultural Heritage A Motor for Economic Development ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Friday 27 May 2011 Metsovo Conference Center Diasselo The Round Table was co-chaired by Project Manager, Mr. Stephan Doempke of Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization and Mrs. Anna Assimakopoulos from the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation. Mrs. Assimakopoulos also acted as recorder of the discussions and drafted the text of the current Annex. Round Table discussions were structured around the following four (4) themes: The economic benefits of Cultural Heritage-Revitalization Case Studies: local development and cultural heritage IT tools and cultural heritage Handicrafts and cultural heritage Tourism and Cultural Heritage The main observations, comments and conclusions per theme are presented below. 1. The economic benefits of Cultural Heritage-Revitalization The following list presents the main issues raised by the Round Table Members in relation to the concept of benefits (with an emphasis of financial-economic benefits) of Cultural heritage Revitalization: The overall concept of Cultural Heritage Revitalization should be regarded as including financial and business benefits. One of the key economic issues is locating sources of financing to be used as a form of seed capital for the revitalization projects. While looking at the economic benefits is important, revitalization must also take into account aesthetic values. The economic benefits include benefits related to greater local community development. The analysis of economic benefits should focus on quantifiable-measurable aspects. For example, the economic benefits of tourism increase can be measured in terms of number of visitors. Identifying the timing of the economic benefits is crucial. It is necessary to follow-up on specific economic outcomes to demonstrate future financial viability. Economic benefits should be identified also for local authorities. Cost- benefit analysis must also include socio-economic considerations. EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 10

11 The members of the Round Table also identified important issues to consider and highlight to public authorities to assist them in moving ahead and realizing the economic benefits described above: Politicians are interested in a tangible and direct link to job-creation. To get their attention one must highlight the labor-intensive nature of restoration and high-skill level required. When comparing restoration and construction, the former has the benefit of rejuvenating the local economy in terms of labor and materials. Sources of funding should be sought from the real estate market, low-interest loans from the World Bank, Foundation financing, business angels, locals living abroad, European Union programs. There is a need for decentralization of public protection of cultural heritage and local empowerment at the public sector level. Decision-making should be shifted as much as possible to the local level on issues related to cultural heritage. This requires professional support. It is important to explore and establish the link between cultural and natural heritage. Economizing rare resources (namely heritage) becomes even more important in the current climate of financial crisis. Public-private partnership of historical monuments is more efficient in times of scarcity of resources. There are important gains at the local authority level from cultural monument restoration from taxes. Clear legislation and rules are a common demand of local authorities in the entire process of revitalization. Local authorities can use Cultural Heritage Revitalization as an opportunity to invest in the dying specialist and to move to a new age of creating the expertise necessary for restoration/revitalization. They should also invest in training for skills maintenance and acquisition in the new generations. 2. Case Studies: local development and cultural heritage The Round Table revisited the case studies presented during the Workshop, namely: Metsovo Gjirokaster Bitola Korce The discussion focused on the following Best practice suggestions/guidelines : Local support is crucial to any Cultural Heritage Revitalization Project. Best practices have a source or inspiration and many times stem from someone s vision and good will. Mobilizing funds and resources are a key to success. Cultural heritage preservation must be compatible with local lifestyles in the present and not just refer to the past. Incentive schemes-subsidies from the public sector in order to preserve local architectural heritage are effective. Management planning in advance and creating a link to tourism taking into account international rules is an important best practice element. Cooperation at all levels (intra-country and international) is a key concept and should be leveraged upon. EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 11

12 3. IT tools and cultural heritage The participants had a high level of understanding and good level of knowledge regarding the benefits of IT in the cultural heritage context (inventory, recording of assets, dissemination and promotion, synchronizing local efforts with national information society strategies) and agreed to share interesting examples in the context of the creation of the EVAH IT platform. 4. Handicrafts and cultural heritage The Round Table discussions revealed an understanding of the clear link between the handicrafts sector and cultural heritage industry (especially historic cities) as well as on the need to involve public authorities in skills and capacity building with an emphasis on vocational training (through local and inter-ministry collaboration). The Partners touched upon the points mentioned above and it was agreed that more extensive discussions would be held at the 2 nd EVAH workshop in Ohrid, which is focused on the topic. 5. Tourism and Cultural Heritage The Partners ratified the issues identified in the presentation of Mrs. Mavrika of the 8 th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities as a well-structured list of issues related to the link between tourism and cultural heritage. These issues include: Cultural heritage contributes to tourism and must form an integrated tourism package. Support and participation of local authorities is crucial for integration. Necessary funding for tourism development is very limited at the local authority level. Strategic planning is key in order to elaborate coherent policies at the national level and link them to the profiling of the city. Cooperation amongst businesses and local authorities is necessary as is collaboration amongst local businesses. Information and technical assistance is necessary for tourism development and promotion of tourism products. Extensive support from the local community of tourism initiatives makes a big difference. EVAH Project-Workshop 1 Metsovo-Minutes Page 12