NewPilgrimAge at Interpret Europe conference
25-26/03/2018
Author: Jasna Fakin Bajec, ZRC SAZU
The Interpret Europe conference, titled Heritage and Identity, organised in Kőszeg, Hungary from 23-26 March 2018, was one of the activity organised in the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The conference was organised by the Hungarian Association of Cultural Heritage Managers (KÖME) and Interpret Europe Association. It was attended by 158 participants from 40 countries, who discussed how to understand our heritage to build European citizenship and common identity. The question of identity is key when it comes to one's feelings towards Europe in all its diversity and one's relationship with single nation states, regions and local communities.
The member of ZRC SAZU's team, Jasna Fakin Bajec, presented the paper titled Ways of interpreting Saint Martin’s heritage for more social unity and understanding among Europe’s citizens. Her presentation focused on the aims of NPA projects, activities of some partners and cultural situation in Slovenia, where Ministry of Culture give less and less funds for safeguarding and renovation of historical buildings and other intangible elements. However, there are many associations (NGOs) in Slovenia, which care for local heritage and do a lot of wonderful work for its preservation and innovative interpretation. One of them is the Housewife Association and its drama group from the village of Planina pri Ajdovščini where members for 14 years now have prepared many research projects which aim to record, safeguard and transmit local heritage to the younger generation, which is the important task in the framework of the new development potential of heritage.
