Description
The project deals with the safeguarding of important cultural heritage within two self-governing regions (Prešov and Košice). It results in the restoration and maintenance of 5 objects of immovable heritage/national cultural monuments (4 wooden churches, 1 Jewish cemetery) and 10 movable cultural heritage elements which are related to these buildings as part of their heritage collection. The project contributes to the preservation of elements which are of importance for this multicultural region. Furthermore it offers job potential to long-term unemployed people who are resident in these areas and it stimulates job creation in related areas ( services, businesses, craftsmanship, accommodation, etc.). The expected exchange of experience among partners contributes to accelerated learning. The project itself is primarily intended for promotion of villages from the edge of Slovakia. It has a direct effect on preservation of the culture of minorities, mutual cooperation of minorities and the majority. The project offers access to the diversity of cultural heritage to the general public.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was achieved - Ruthenian and Jewish cultural heritage as the integral part of the European heritage was preserved and can be effectively used for tourism and regional development. Regions of Snina and Sobrance located in North-East Slovakia close to Ukraine are economically underdeveloped and depopulated. For small communities and municipalities which are also ethnically and religiously mixed is difficult to maintain good condition of monuments. Five national cultural monuments from 18th century were restored - Jewish cemetery in Topoľa and four wooden churches in Topoľa, Šmigovec, Hrabová Roztoka and Inovce. Three of these 5 monuments were in bad technical status. Besides this activities also valueable iconostasis of wooden churches in Hrabová Roztoka, Inovce and Ruská Bystrá (listed in UNESCO World Heritage List) were restored and could present the specific features of the Eastern rite. Preservation of the cultural heritage of minorities in ethnically and religiously mixed area and its effective use for economic development of region was the benefit of the project, as well as the sharing best practices in heritage management. Joint promotion of the cultural and natural heritage of UNESCO sites in Zemplin region - the Wooden churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area with Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians is the highlight of the most important achieved benefit of the project.
Summary of bilateral results