Heritage is more than the past—it’s a living story that we share, interpret, and carry into the future.
This winter, I had the great honor of participating in UNESCO’s capacity-building programme on “Fostering the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans,” part of the EU-funded “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBS) initiative. This ambitious regional effort brings together experts, institutions, and community leaders from across the Balkans to reinforce the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in a time of rapid transformation.
As Creative Director of HAEMUS and the legal guardian of Custom Martinki—a tradition inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—I was proud to be part of this interactive learning ecosystem. The programme was more than a series of workshops—it was a dynamic platform for collective learning, exchange, and empowerment.
🏛 A Training Ground for Heritage Professionals
Led by Ms. Panagiota Andrianopoulou, a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Facilitators, the training sessions were both educational and inspiring. Through lectures, group exercises, and practical tools, we explored the multilayered challenges and opportunities of living heritage.
🌀 What did we learn?
We dove deep into topics such as:
- Sustainability of ICH – exploring climate resilience, financial longevity, and social impact
- Intellectual property rights – a key component of ethical heritage use and community benefit
- Digital transformation – identifying new frontiers for safeguarding and storytelling in the digital age
- Participatory heritage management – empowering communities, not just institutions, to lead the safeguarding process
These concepts weren’t abstract—they were paired with actionable strategies and real-world applications. For those of us already engaged in heritage interpretation, it was a vital opportunity to reflect, re-calibrate, and future-proof our work.
🌟 Keeping Heritage Alive through Innovation and Identity
What made this training truly stand out was its collaborative spirit. More than 30 participants from across the region shared stories, challenges, and solutions—strengthening a regional network of passionate professionals committed to revitalizing ICH in relevant, inclusive, and sustainable ways.
Personally, it reaffirmed my belief in the power of creative interpretation as a tool for empowerment. Whether through Martinki, storytelling walks, or heritage-based team-building, my mission has always been about more than preserving tradition. It’s about using emotion, imagination, and identity to make heritage meaningful in today’s world.
Interpretation is not just storytelling—it is a value-based approach to cultural transmission that sparks curiosity, evokes emotion, and fosters deep connection. It transforms passive audiences into active stewards of heritage.
🔍 Looking Ahead: Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Communities
Being featured in UNESCO’s official article on this regional initiative was a proud moment—and a reminder that when heritage work is done with authenticity and care, its impact can ripple across communities and borders.
But this journey doesn’t end here. I’m committed to sharing knowledge and building capacity through new workshops, trainings, and strategic partnerships—locally, regionally, and internationally.
🌱 Let’s keep our traditions vibrant. Let’s make heritage a force for innovation, resilience, and community building.
If you’re a cultural institution, local authority, creative entrepreneur, or simply passionate about safeguarding living heritage—
📩 I invite you to connect and explore how we can collaborate.
Together, we can ensure that the treasures of our intangible heritage are not only preserved—but passed on with pride, meaning, and purpose.
