
Viscri Action Camp 2023 ended on 18th of May
Viscri Action Camp 2023, organised within the UNESCO’s Initiative World Heritage Volunteers, ended on 18th of May. The main topic of the camp was the creation of a heritage corner at the Educational Centre in the village of Viscri, with volunteers and children.
Aside from the heritage corner, the 10 volunteers from the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Cyprus, Italy and Romania have worked on the improvement of the village infrastructure for locals, visitors and tourists.
The Action Camp had the following results:
- Creation of a map with village trails that children use all the time and stories related to the cultural and natural heritage of the village;
- Creation of an exhibition with heritage items brought by children;
- Workshop in which children learned how to sew;
- Training for children in traditional dances from Romania led by 2 young instructors, volunteers of the camp;
- Creation of a photo and text collage with photos of volunteers and children and definitions of cultural heritage.
Apart from the educational side of the camp, volunteers have planned and built wooden benches with the purpose of improving the infrastructure for locals, visitors and tourists. During construction planning, volunteers interacted with the villagers and asked their feedback on the potential location for each bench.
At the end of the Action Camp, the volunteers participated at an informal session in which they gave their feedback and proposed new ideas to continue the heritage education process.
The Viscri Action Camp 2023 included one important part of community engagement. The volunteers interacted with the children of the village for the creation of the Heritage Corner at the Educational Centre.
This camp was one of the first interactions of the Viscri children with young people from abroad. The activities represented for children a way of learning new things and seeing their village from a different perspective.
At the same time, volunteers discussed with the professor in the village and learned more about the children, their motivations and methods to work with them and make them be aware of the heritage they have in the village and the need to protect it.
Volunteers also interacted with the villagers when planning the construction of the wooden benches and the potential locations for each new bench. Most of the villagers were open to discuss with the young volunteers and to share their thoughts and feelings on the village infrastructure but also on the village status as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The map with village trails and stories related to the cultural and natural heritage of Viscri, designed by the volunteers and children, was shown to His Majesty, King Charles the IIIrd, during his visit to Viscri, as a part of a 5-day visit to Romania.
Update: The full movie about the Viscri Action Camp 2023 can be found here.
Alba Eglesia, as a project partner, wishes to thank Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation and “Heritage for the Future ” Cultural Association, the Viscri Council, the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO and to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre that coordinates the World Heritage Volunteers Initiative.