Newsletter – Winter 2019

“This is what makes us unique. Our soul,

our culture, our diversity, our heritage.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Training
Vasilka Dimitrovska
(North Macedonia)
Participants of the first CIG
course in North Macedonia
(Photo: Dimitrovska)
The first CIG course in North Macedonia
A tight but exciting programme, diversity of interpreters, comprehensive
exercises, lots of fun and sharing of knowledge and experiences.
The first ever CIG course in North Macedonia finished on 1 November, after five
busy days and 40 hours of practice! The course was hosted and organised by
the Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia and it was financially supported
by the Ministry of Culture within the European Heritage Days 2019. The project
was run by Nada Andonovska, IE’s Country Coordinator North Macedonia.
During the five-day course, the 13 participants worked with Valya Stergioti, IE’s
Training Coordinator, on a very extended and thorough heritage presentation
with comprehensive exercises at the Museum of North Macedonia and its
surrounding, Museum of the Old Bazaar, and the Archaeological museum of
North Macedonia. The group of interpreters mostly came from museums, both
national and local institutions around the country, national parks and а civic
organisation.
There was an excellent, almost perfect, balance between the presentation by
the trainer, discussions, exchanging opinions, and the parallel working exercises
carried out indoor and outdoor. We were happy that the weather served us
very well. The outside space in front of the national museum was chosen as a
place where we could complete some exercises outdoors. We had a great time
bonding and enjoying the challenging games, rediscovering the multi-meaning
of the selected phenomenon. We found out that somewhere between the unique
‘Molika’ tree, the original Ottoman caravansarai and marble ancient Roman
artefacts, lie hidden stories that could, and should, be interpreted in a dozen
different ways.
We discovered that by using a variety of props throughout different stepping
stones, almost every theme can be connected with universal values. The way we
choose our words can enable more inclusiveness into the interpretation, and to
encourage visitors to use their own imagination about the heritage. The practical
work, discussions, (self)evaluation and especially the critique of the selected
and presented themes at the end of the course were highly appreciated by
everybody.
If you want to be the best in heritage interpretation, then you have to learn from
the best. On behalf of the whole group I would like to thank Interpret Europe for
giving us the opportunity to be trained in a way we can turn our creativity into
unforgettable heritage experiences.
Vasilka Dimitrovska is a professional archaeologist, heritage consultant and a
director of HAEMUS - Centre for scientific research and promotion of culture,
based in Skopje. She can be contacted at: dimitrovska@haemus.org.mk. 11