‭‭Preservation of the unique etnography heritage of the Musteika village. Phase I

Project facts

Project promoter:
Musteika Village Community 'Musteikos Pirkia'‬
Project Number:
LT06-0007
Target groups
Non governmental organisation,
Students and trainees in all forms of higher education level education and training
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€538,925
Final project cost:
€538,028
From EEA Grants:
€ 407,018
The project is carried out in:
Alytaus apskritis

Description

Musteika ethnographic village, located in the Dzūkija National park, was formed at the end of 18th century and currently counts 75 homesteads. The aim of the project is to restore the authentic features of the village and improve the quality of life of the local community. It is planned to re-cover the roofs of 40 buildings with wooden laths and shingles, change the doors and windows, reconstruct foundations, wells and the most damaged elements of the external walls and gables, and to recreate wooden fences. In order to raise public awareness and foster craftsmanship, 3 cycles of seminars covering the topics of ethnographic villages preservation, intercultural dialogue, and the practical aspects of wooden architecture maintenance and reconstruction will be organized. The project will contribute to the reduction of unemployment as one of the buildings is planned to be turned into a long-term traditional craft center in which 2 new jobs will be created offering training to people who wish to acquire carpentry skills and repair skills for wooden architecture. Another building will be adapted for cultural and educational needs of the community.

Summary of project results

Zervynos village is a typical Dzūkija region village which formed at the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th century. It preserved authentic urban structure, traditional wooden architecture and expressive elements of the small architecture. Unfortunately, demographic changes, materials unsuitable for repair works along with other factors resulted in the process of rapid decay of the village. Zervynos village community, in cooperation with the Administration of Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve, implemented the project for the revitalization of 32 objects, i.e. 8 residential buildings and 24 outbuildings. Roofs in emergency condition were refitted with a coating of larch shingles (in residential buildings) and laths (in outbuildings). Also, outworn structures (rafters, lathing) were replaced, wooden windows and doors of the residential houses were repaired and fire safety alarms installed. All of the above not only allowed protecting the traditional architecture against extinction, but also contributed to better living conditions and touristic attractiveness of the location. Theoretical and practical trainings have been carried out in the course of the project that provided homestead owners and craftsmen with useful knowledge of proper maintenance of wooden architecture as well as of the tradtional technologies.

Summary of bilateral results