Description
Reconstruction of the castle chapel in Budatin Castle will be the first step to open and give access to part of the castle for the public and tourists and will provide a new space for cultural events, minorities’ presentations. Through this project a new education trail and cycle path will be created. The castle chapel with the area of 276.84 m2 and the roofing of the building with the area of 235.64 m2 will be restored; 3 information boards will be installed. The target groups are disadvantaged people (the chapel will be wheelchair accessible), students – the chapel will provide education and leisure time activities for youths, minorities – the chapel will become a space for minorities to use for their own activities. The Norwegian–Slovak Association will participate on the preparation of a cultural event by providing documentation as well as project information in Norway. It will enable an exchange on minority issues in Norway and Slovakia, as well as it will provide a presentation of the minorities’ activities in Norway and Slovakia.
Summary of project results
This project is the latest project completing another stage in the extensive renovation of Budatín Castle by Žilina Self-Governing Region, aimed at restoring the castle chapel to full public use, especially for people with limited mobility and ethnic minorities. The chapel was in ruins and had not been used for 13 years. The goal was to provide barrier-free access to visitors with restricted mobility and to equip the chapel with the technology to offer virtual castle tours. The restored chapel is open to the public during Budatín Castle opening hours. Events such as performances by ensembles from Poland have been held in collaboration with Polonus, a civic association. It organises cultural, educational, sports and training activities, and brings together members of the Polish minority in the Žilina region. In October 2017 a memorandum of cooperation was signed as part of an event organised by OZ Polonus and Museum of Považie in Žilina. The project has enabled us to restore the castle chapel building, which is now accessible to visitors with mobility issues, and therefore fulfils the requirements for barrier-free access. Various events, concerts, exhibitions and creative workshops targeted at this group are held in the chapel. Virtual tours can be viewed by those with restricted mobility. As part of the project a bell was installed in the chapel. We have also held various events as part of the project: a discovery competition for secondary school students, Roots can’t be uprooted, and The tale of Budatín Castle bells. Many other interesting events have also been put on here, such as With history in our hearts (Christmas concert). In addition the following exhibitions were organised: Heavenly Rider – Otto Smik, Wired vs. Wireless, People of the land below Rozsutec, amongst others.
Summary of bilateral results