CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - 7th Regional restoration camp in Gjirokastra!!!
24.09 - 08.10.2011
During a two week period in this upcoming autumn, 50 students and young professionals from around the Balkans will gather in one of the most astonishing UNESCO protected cultural sites in the Region, the World Heritage City of Gjirokastra, to participate in what has become a prominent activity in this field for South Eastern Europe. The 7th camp will start in Prizren on 24th of September allowing participants to see some of the Kosovo's rich cultural heritage, and interact through lectures and joint exercises with their colleagues from camp that would be organized at the earlier stage in Prizren. After 4 days spent in Prizren all you will travel down to south of Albania, Gjirokastra, where the activities will be continued and finalized on 8th of October 2011.
For the 14 days of the camp, participants will follow a rigorous but very fulfilling schedule which combines theory - through lectures and presentations - with exercises and actual restoration works on a world heritage monuments in the Historical Center of Gjirokastra. You will be working with the inhabited monuments and you would be directly helping the residents of Gjirokastra with the repair of their valuable houses. Through discussions raised with the monument owners, we believe to share the knowledge on basic repair techniques that would give owners the incentivesfor the regular upkeep within their own capacities.
For those of you interested in working on your artistic talents, an optional drawing class with several sessions will run parallel to the camp and its activities. As to revive the traditional cuisine and share the recipes close to be forgotten, some of you will also be able to opt for traditional cooking classes. Study visits will also be organized in the city's medieval castle, churches outside Gjirokastra and the Archeological and Natural World Heritage Site of Butrint, along the Albanian cost of the Ionian Sea.
Our camp will strive towards answering different theoretical questions to restoration and conservation approaches as well as answering technical questions such us:
- How do you define in a practical and simple way the composition of traditional mortar and plaster?
- How does one analyze the stone walls, stone cracks, and wall deformations in order to propose the most adequate restoration interventions?
- How do you recognize and work with different types of wood?
- How do all these traditional materials interact with one-another?
This time around we will go deep into the topic of site surveying, providing the opportunity for the interested participants to completely survey one traditional hamam in Gjirokastra, as well as to study the surrounding
area in order to seek for solutions on its revitalization.
All interested candidates should try to apply as quickly as possible, as the deadline on September 1st, 2011,is quickly approaching. This is an event you will regret missing!
In order to receive an electronic copy of the official camp invitation and application, please send your request
via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or download the application from a web site www.chwb.org/bih
You are welcome to apply !!!
Secretary
