02.11.2007 |

29.01.2007 | Open Market for Local Products in Smolare

On January 26, 2007 mayor of municipality of Novo Selo, Nikola Andonov and FOSIM’s executive director, Vladimir Milcin officially opened the market for local products in Smolare village. The market is one of the activities undertaken by the municipality for development of ecological and village tourism. The market is located besides the path the leads to the Smolare waterfall, above the village, and the following local products will be offered at the market: handicrafts, vegetables, fruits and processed products – homemade jams, juices, honey etc. Among the features that attract this type of tourists is Smolare waterfall that became available to the public through the Living Heritage program supported by FOSIM and King Baudouin Foundation from Belgium.

The market is part of a project financed by the municipality and FOSIM. It is fourth project supported by FOSIM through within this program in Municipality of Novo Selo (apart from paths for Koleshevo and Smolare waterfalls and Mokrino springs). Because of the FOSIM’s contribution for development of the municipality, the mayor Andonov made FOSIM’s director, Vladimir Milcin for honorary citizen of municipality of Novo Selo.

01.06.2006 | Living Heritage Fair

Second Living Heritage Fair will be held on June 10, 2006 at Macedonia Street near the Mother Teresa monument. Most of the projects realised within the FOSIM’s Living Heritage Program that support community development through local cultural heritage will be presented.

The Fair is organised by the Contemporary Art Centre, Skopje with financial support by FOSIM. Sponsor of the event is Centar Municipality.

23.12.2005 | Promotion of the Book “Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages”

Book “Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages (spiritual and material culture)” was promoted on December 24th, 2005 in the Monastery St. Anastasie and St. Mary in the village Lesok. The book is part of the project “Young People and Stories from Lesok and the Neighbouring Villages” implemented by association “Lesok” and neighbourhood unit Lesok.

The project is supported by FOSIM within the Living Heritage Program. Project objective is decreasing of the migration and developing closer ties between the youth from different ethnic background through getting familiar with the cultural heritage. Part of the activities was establishing of Youth Creative Centre and equipping it with computers and other equipment. The centre should present space where young people can cooperate, can crate cultural scheme and can develop web site for this region.

14.12.2005 | Bitola
Youth Cultural Centre Facility Opened

By cutting red ribbon FOSIM’s executive director Mr. Vladimir Milcin opened the Youth Cultural Centre facility in Bitola on December 13th, 2005. the Centre is located in old house, protected monument of culture, on Samoilova street. The house gas been completely restored with support of the Living Heritage Programme implemented by FOSIM and King Baudouin Foundation from Belgium. In the total budget for this project, King Baudouin Foundation provided $40.000 and FOSIM provided $42.000 for the period between 2001 and 2005. it is the biggest project of the Living Heritage Programme.

With the facility Bitola has gained Cultural Centre for the youth with the capacities for organising workshops (computer and language courses) and working with media, hall for meetings, Concerts, promotions, debates and other events. Honorary Awards were awarded to FOSIM and King Baudouin Foundation by the Youth Cultural Centre, association that has implemented the project.

13.10.2005 | October 13-15, 2005 in Skopje
International Conference Living Heritage

Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia on behalf of the Living Heritage Network hosted the international conference Living Heritage – Learning from Innovative Practices in Culture and Community Development in South East Europe. The conference took place in Skopje, on October 13-15, 2005. Ms. Radmila Shekjerinska, vice-president of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Donato Kiarini, the chief of the delegation of the European Commission in Skopje, Mr. Vladimir Milchin, FOSIM’s executive director, and Mr. Fabrice de Kerchove, King Baudouin Foundation addressed the audience. Cultural institutions representatives from France, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria participated in the conference.

Living Heritage Programme supports initiatives aiming at protection, use and presentation of cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable community development. International conference is in the realms of activities supported by European Commission’s Culture 2000 Programme. It presents an opportunity to stress the contribution of Living Heritage Programme and tends to offer sharing experience and knowledge in the areas of community development and culture.

12.10.2005 | CAM Association
Museum of Living Heritage from Galichnik

On October 11, 2005 civil society association Cultural affirmation of the Mujaks (CAM) from Galichnik organized manifestation on the occasion of establishing the Museum of cultural heritage from Galichnik. Project support is provided within the Municipality and Culture Development Project coordinated by the Ministry of Culture.

The Museum is located in Vila Dosta in the center of Galichnik. Some products produced within the Living Heritage Programme (traditional costumes, music instruments) will be exhibited in the museum.

12.10.2005 | Mrzenski Rid, Gevgelija
Another Gathering at the Monument of Freedom

On October 10, 2005 citizens of Gevgelija and their guests celebrated the closing manifestation of the project within which the Monument of Freedom has been dislocated from Vardarski Rid to Mrzenski Rid. The Monument, created by the academy artist Jordan Grabul, will remain a site for gathering, organizing celebrations and manifestations. Dislocation of the monument is supported by the FOSIM's Living Heritage Programme.

19.09.2005 | In Lesnovo
Promotion of the Landscaped Location Borja
On September 21, 2005 the inhabitants of Lesnovo, the fraternity within the “Saint Gavril Lesnovski” monastery, the association “Zletovica” from Probishtip and Probishtip municipality organised gathering for promotion of the landscaped location Borja situated near the monastery. At the traditional gathering on the occasion of the religious holiday Mary’s Birth a mayor of Probishtip municipality addressed the people, a liturgy was organised in the monastery and the ensemble Veseli Penzioneri (Marry Pensioners) had a show. Within the FOSIM's Living Heritage Programme the location is landscaped with grass, flowers, benches, little boxes and a booklet for Lesnovo village, its surroundings and the monastery “Saint Gavril Lesnovski” is published.

19.09.2005 | By the Lokuv Lake
Picnic, Mountaineering and Swimming
On September 17, 2005 a group of enthusiasts together with the villagers of Rostushe climb up to the glacier Lake Lokuv on Deshat Mountain. The bravest were swimming in the lake while the others were enjoying in the picnic and beautiful landscape. The picnic was organised by the association Rekanski Biser and local villagers as final manifestation of the project implemented through the Living Heritage Programme. Within this project the footpath to the lake has been demarked; benches, baskets, road signs, and information plates have been placed, and the booklet has been published. The villagers hope that Lokuv Lake will be among the key factors for local development of Rostushe.

16.09.2005 | In the cultural centre Tochka
Heritage from Dzvegor

From September 9 to September 11, 2005 a sale exhibition of traditional products from the village Dzvegor near Delchevo was held in the cultural centre Tochka in Skopje. The exhibition is part of the project implemented by the Iskon association from Dzvegor in the realms of the Living Heritage Programme. Villagers from Dzvegor presented themselves with the traditional music instruments (pipe, kemene), beads jewellery and photos from the traditional carnival Surva.

08.07.2005 | Exhibition of the Berovo’s blacksmiths

On Friday, July 8^th 2005, selling exhibition of the products created by the Berovo’s blacksmiths was open in the cultural center Tochka in Skopje. The audience was addressed by Slavica Janeshlieva, an artist who helped with the design of the products, and Ramche Kundevski, one of the young apprentices who were trained by elder blacksmiths within the project “Golden hands of blacksmiths”. The project was implemented by the association Romanela from the town of Berovo, eastern Macedonia, with the support of the Living Heritage program of FOSIM. The exhibition will be open during the weekend July 8 -10, 2005, between 9 and 21 hours.

01.07.2005 | Struga cultural heritage

The recently launched web site www.kultura-struga.com.mk presents interesting content about the cultural heritage of the region of Struga, southwestern Macedonia. The site is illustrated with texts, photos, audio and video materials… It has been prepared by the local ogranization Rubljov. Visit them!

13.06.2005 | Regional professional development workshop

On May 25^th – 29^th, regional professional development workshop was held in Sarajevo within the Living Heritage regional network, which unites partner organizations from the countries in which this program has been implemented (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Bosnia & Herzegovina). The aim of the workshop was to enhance the capacities of facilitators, consultants and trainers who provide technical support within the Living Heritage program. Three Macedonian facilitators and consultants took part: Marijana Ivanova, Dragi Pop Stojanov and Nikola Pisarev.

30.05.2005 | Mokrino springs forever

On May 24^th 2005, Mokrino springs, located near Strumica village of Mokrino, showed all its beauty in front of the visitors, local people and journalists. Released from the concrete barriers, now the water freely runs coming from the roots of several ancient maple trees. Path made from natural stone leads to the springs. The local people put garbage bins and built shelter near the springs. The project Mokrino Springs Forever was implemented by the NGO Izvor (Spring) in cooperation with the local authorities from Mokrino village and the municipality of Novo Selo. The rearranged environment around the springs was promoted by the Novo Selo Mayor, Mr. Nikola Andonov, and FOSIM Board president, Mrs. Slobodanka Markovska.

26.05.2005 | Craftsmen work with artists

Blacksmiths from Berovo, weavers from the Rusinovo village (near Berovo) and pottery makers from the village of Vranestica (near Kicevo) are enriching their product assortment, adding an artistic spirit. They initiated cooperation with two artists – Slavica Janeslieva and Diana Tomic-Radevska, and will use their design in traditional product-making. The handicrafts with designer’s signature will soon arrive in artistic galleries and other selling locations in Skopje and other places. Part of these products was exhibited on the recently held Living Heritage fair.

25.05.2005 | Web site of Reka

As a part of the project Little Traditions – Great Values, a new web site has been opened to promote the region of Reka (western Macedonia) and its cultural, ethnology, natural and economic potentials. The web site comprises more then 300 photos, 500 second of traditional music from this region as well as over 100 pages text relating to the history, customs, old crafts, traditional architecture, religious ceremonies and contemporary life in Reka, published in Macedonian and English. Visit the web site at www.reka.org.mk

20.05.2005 | Celebration at Mokrino Springs

On Tuesday May 24th starting at 12:00, the ecology organization Izvor from Novo Selo and the local community of Mokrino (village in southeast Macedonia) organize a celebration upon successful completion of the project “Mokrino Springs Forever”, supported by the Living Heritage program. Within this project, a path, small mountain hub and other infrastructure was built aiming to provide the local people and tourists with a place for picnics, outdoor lessons and recreation meetings around the wonderful springs that surface from the roots of hundred-year old oak trees. 

19.05.2005 | Homage to Kiril Pejcinovik

The NGO Lesok is commemorating on the occasion of 160 anniversary of the death of Kiril Pejcinovik. The manifestation will take place in the village of Lesok, on May 20 2005 (Friday). After laying flowers on the memorial plaque in the village of Tearce and on the grave of Kiril Pejcinovik within the Lesok Monastery, cultural performance will take place. Exhibition of old photographs will be open, and visitors will have a chance to see the memorial room of this prominent Macedonian enlightenment figure.

09.05.2005 | Workshop in Rostuse

On May 16, the NGOs Rekanski biser from Rostuse and Radika from Skopje organize one-day workshop with the local people from Rostuse and the neighboring villages. The two organizations implement the project “Landscaping the Tourist and Recreational Centre – Glacier Lake Lokuv on Mountain Desat”, supported by the Living Heritage Program. It is expected local people to contribute to the successful implementation of the project, as well as to identify resources for cultural and recreation tourism development in this region. The experience of a similar already implemented project in Brajcino will be presented. The data gathered during the workshop will serve to prepare information material and marking & interpretation of the path to the Lokuv Lake.

26.04.2005 | Youth Cultural Center Bitola: renovation of the building started

Renovation works on the object on Car Samoil St.29 in Bitola started recently. With a grant by the Living Heritage program, the old neobaroque house will be fully renovated and turned into Youth Cultural Center, which will offer vivid cultural and educational programs for youth – exhibitions, concerts, workshops, language courses, performances. The official opening is expected this summer. 

16.04.2005 | Concert of the folk ensemble Drimkol from Vevcani

On April 16^th, starting at 8 pm, the folk ensemble Drimkol from Vevcani, member of the Living Heritage Network – Macedonia, will give a concert at the Universal Hall in Skopje. Titled Vevcani – from roots to ascension, the program includes exceptional music and dance interpretations by the members of this Macedonian ensemble.

04.04.2005 | Living Heritage Fair

Villagers from Vevcani and Zvegor disguised in traditional masks were inviting the citizens of Skopje to the Army Hall to visit the Living Heritage Fair on April 1st and 2nd, which gathered participants of 25 local communities from across Macedonia. At the official opening, the general manager of Export and Credit Bank Skopje, Mr. Pance Mancevski highlighted the chance that many local communities have – to plan their development through cultural resources. The exhibition space offered handicrafts of wood, wool, hammered iron, as well as woodcarvings, parts of folk costumes, organic food, traditional music instruments, brochures and promotional material. In addition, the crafts of weaving and pottery making were presented, and visitors could see the documentary about the ethnic group Juruks from the region of Radovis and Stip, as well as the presentations about Vevcani, Lesnovo and the natural beauties of Dolna Reka and Belasica. The students of ethnology performed traditional customs from Porece, while Mr. Metodija Zlatkov played pipe and kaval. The youth of Bitola performed the theater play Identities. At the end, the visitors attended the mini-concert of the chalgi-orchestra Kaldrma. The two-day fair has attracted thousands of visitors who were buying products or wanted to learn about Macedonian cultural heritage.

24.01.2005 | Souvenir shop and gallery in Krusevo
On January 22nd 2005, after long years Krusevo got the first souvenir shop and cultural space for exhibitions, chamber concerts, promotions and other cultural events within the renovated object of the Cultural center Naum Naumovski-Borce. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous citizens of Krusevo and other quest from Macedonia. The program was enriched with a mini-concert by the trio H. H. Mular (guitar) – J. Penov (guitar) – P. Koleski (clarinet); audio-visual presentation “The heroism of Meckin Kamen”, and concert of the folk ensemble “N. N. Borce” from Krusevo. The funds for the renovation in an amount of $29,500 US dollars were made available through the Living Heritage program.

13.01.2005 | Dzvegor Surva in Skopje
Unusual event happened in Skopje on January 12th, 2005 – the Dzvegor Surva was presented on Macedonia Square. About 50 people with masks amused the citizens and invited them to attend the manifestation in their village. The NGO Iskon from the village of Dzvegor received a grant by the Living Heritage program of FOSIM to promote the authentic traditional heritage, among which is this carnival, performed with ages on St. Vaslij Day.

26.12.2004 | Maiden Well – water and joy again
The people from the Topusko district, one of the oldest in the city of Strumica, with songs and dances celebrated the reconstruction of the Maiden Well. Built three centuries ago, it becomes a meeting place and water supply source again. The information board was open before the public and local media revealing the history of the place. This project was implemented by the NGO Planetum and local inhabitants, with financial support of $5,000 US dollars by the Living Heritage program.

24.12.2004 | 8 new projects supported
In 2005, 8 new projects will be implemented with financial support by the Living Heritage program. Youth cultural center for collection and study of local heritage will be open in the village of Lesok. Youth and elder will also collect old artifacts and photographs in the town of Gostivar. The path to the glacial lake Lokuv on Desat Mountain will be marked and the space will be arranged by volunteers from the municipality of Rostuse. Handicrafts and St. Vasilij Eve customs as well as famous carnival forms from the village of Zvegor will be presented in Skopje. The culture of the Juruk ethnic group from the municipality of Karbinci will be presented through catalogue and exhibition in Skopje. Young Roma from Berovo will develop new products following their ancestors’ tradition in blacksmith crafts. Small natural park will be arranged around the famous monastery of Lesnovo, while paths to nearby caves will be marked and the heritage of the community presented in a publication. Living Heritage Fair will be organized in Skopje to present the success of the so-far projects as well as promote the philosophy of this program. The financial support to these projects totals $35,000 US dollars.

21.12.2004 | Fundraising for community projects
On December 17 – 19 in Krusevo, 28 members of the Living Heritage Network – Macedonia attended training on fundraising for community projects. The seminar aimed to encourage participants to assess and use available resources on local level. They had an opportunity to practically exercise fundraising techniques, such as auction, official dinner and personal contacts.

12.11.2004 | Project development workshop
On November 25-26 in Skopje, project development workshop was held for teams from Berovo, Zvegor, Novo Selo, Lesok, Lesnovo, Gostivar, Rostuse and Karbinci. With this, they got a chance to compete for project grants supported by the Living Heritage programme. The decisions will be announced by end of 2004, and the projects will be implemented in 2005.

10.11.2004 | Regional meeting in Sarajevo
On November 3 – 7, 2004, in Sarajevo, B&H, the Living Heritage partners held their third regional meeting. Colleagues from Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Bulgaria and Belgium shared their experiences and agreed upon next activities. In May 2005, professional advanced training workshop will be held in B&H, and in October, Macedonia will host an international conference on heritage and development. In addition, regional activities include documentary film, traveling photo-exhibition and publication about Living Heritage program experiences.

27.10.2004 | Three new projects supported
By the end of 2004 three new projects will be implemented with support by the Living Heritage program. In Krushevo, the object of the Cultural center will be renovated to provide for activities of local folk and drama groups as well as for other civil initiatives. Also, a souvenir shop will be opened within the object, offering handicrafts by women and craftsmen from Krushevo as well as products of other members of the Living Heritage Network. In the Konche district of Strumica, local volunteers and activists of the NGO Planetum will renovate the Maiden Well (Momin bunar) and the surroundings. Once a meeting point, it will be reopened as a public space for pleasant gatherings. In the vicinity of Novo Selo, the Mokrino Springs (Mokrinski izvori) will be arranged and turned into a wonderful green minipark for gatherings, picnics and education in nature environment. The financial support for these projects totals $45,000 US dollars.

22.10.2004 | Celebration in Stenje
On Monday October 25th 2004 the local community of Stenje and FOSIM are organizing a celebration on the occasion of successful completion of the project “Stenje – cultural and natural treasury”, supported by the Living Heritage program. Starting at 11 am, information signboard, brochure revealing the beauties of Stenje and the island of Golem Grad, and marked tourist paths to local attractions will be promoted. The villagers organize walking and bicycling competition as well as a small fair of local apple products. Domestic and foreign guest are invited for this festivity. They will have the chance to visit the nearby Lisa beach and the small chapel of St. Elijah.

05.10.2004 | Forum on Cultural Tourism
Within the Living Heritage program, FOSIM is organizing the Forum Practice and Challenges in Cultural Tourism Development in Macedonia to be held in hotel Aleksandar Palace in Skopje, on October 7, 2004. The forum will be addressed by the Macedonian minister of economy Mr. Stevce Jakimovski. The aim of the forum is to provide for exchange of information and practice among various projects and activities in this regard. Legal aspects of cultural tourism development and opportunities for entrepreneurship in this sector will be presented along with concrete experience from projects such as Living Heritage of FOSIM and KBF, Community Development Trough Culture of the Macedonian Ministry of Culture and the World Bank, and Cluster of Tourism supported by USAID. Over 30 invited participants are expected to consider ways for coordinated action in future.

23.09.2004 | Rusinovo Handicrafts in Skopje
From September 23-26, 2004 in the cultural center Tocka (Ilindenska st. 38) in Skopje, the women from Rusinovo, members of the association “Rakotvorbi”, will present their handicrafts and new promotion catalogue. Visitors can also buy handmade woven and knitted products of natural, domestic materials.

06.08.2004 | Porece Fair
The villagers of Rastes and the Macedonian ethnology students society invite you to the Porece Fair, to be held on September 11-12, 2004 in the town of Samokov. The event aims to promote the natural and cultural specifics of the ethnic region of Porece, as well as the traditions of other regions of Macedonia. For accommodation facilities and reservations, please call Vanja Dimitirevski on + 3489 (0)70-796982.

15.07.2004 | Visitors’ Path to the Kolesino Waterfall
Path to the Kolesino Waterfall was officially opened on June 15, 2004. On the occasion, Mr. Kiril Cavkov, mayor of the municipality of Novo Selo, and Mr. Ivan Dodovski, FOSIM program director for culture & communication, gave a speech. Kolesino Waterfall is but one of the waterfalls in the mountain Belasica region, near the city of Strumica. The project was implemented by the villagers of Kolesino in partnership with the Eco-association “Izvor” from Novo Selo.