OSCE Mission teaches young people about cultural heritage in Kosovo

From 5 May to 6 June 2014 the OSCE Mission is organizing ten study trips to a number of historic and religious sites in Kosovo for some 500 secondary school students from Deçan/Dečane, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Gračanica/Graçanicë, Istog/Istok, Leposavić/Leposaviq, Lipjan/Lipljan, Novo Brdo/Novobërdë, Prizren, Rahovec/Orahovac and Skenderaj/Srbica.

The aim of the study trips is to teach young people from Albanian, Ashkali, Bosniak, Egyptian, Serb and Roma communities in Kosovo about their common cultural heritage and to provide them with an opportunity to get to know each other.

“Young people from different communities living in Kosovo do not have enough opportunities to meet each other or to learn about their common cultural heritage,” said Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.

“Through such activities, the OSCE is helping breach the cultural gap between young people and is helping them to learn to respect each other and the cultural diversity, and to develop their understanding for the need to protect cultural heritage as an important element of their identities.”

The students will visit Gazimestan monument, Gračanica Monastery, the Historic Centre of Prizren, the Kulla houses and the Old Bazaar in Pejë/Peć, the Medieval Castle of Novo Brdo/Novobërde, Peć Patriarchate, Sultan Murat II Turbe in Obiliq/Obilić, Ulpiana Archaeological Site, Velika Hoča/Hoçë e Madhe, Visoki Dečani and Zočište monasteries.

Prior to each visit the students will meet with representatives of the respective municipal departments for culture, youth and sports, municipal directorates for education, regional institutes for the protection of monuments and directors of city museums who will talk to them about the legal framework and the importance of the cultural and religious heritage preservation, protection and promotion. Municipal officials will also act as their guides during the study trips.

The OSCE Mission is mandated with human and community rights protection and promotion, democratization, and public safety sector development. It supports local institutions and civil society organizations in their efforts to protect and promote cultural heritage in Kosovo.