Cities are vibrant cultural spaces, constantly evolving while striving to retain their heritage. In the face of rapid urbanization, intangible cultural heritage (ICH)—the living traditions, practices, and expressions that define communities—faces significant challenges. How can cities adapt and safeguard these traditions while remaining dynamic hubs of growth?
This question was at the core of Round Table 1 during the 18th Annual Meeting of the South-East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage. Moderated by Matteo Rosati, the session featured experts from Albania, Austria, Malta, Slovenia, and Turkiye, each presenting innovative strategies for safeguarding ICH in the ever-changing landscape of urban environments.
Albania:
Tradition in the Heart of Urban Transformation
Tirana, Albania’s capital, has undergone a dramatic transformation—from a small town of 20,000 in 1920 to a sprawling metropolis of over 1 million people today. This rapid urbanization has brought both opportunities and challenges, particularly in safeguarding the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Esmeralda Agolli, Adviser on Intangible Cultural Heritage to the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at Tirana University, discussed the displacement of traditional artisans and the challenges in promoting ICH within a modern urban framework. She was joined by Gerond Shehu, Head of the Cultural Heritage and Museums Sector within the General Directorate of City Promotion at the Municipality of Tirana.
Key Initiatives:
- Cultural Marketplaces: Artisan markets in suburban areas provide vital spaces for craftspeople to display and sell traditional embroidery, woodworking, and other crafts. These markets not only ensure economic viability for artisans but also create awareness about these cultural practices.
- Heritage Education: Partnerships with schools have led to the establishment of after-school programs where children learn folk dances, culinary practices, and oral storytelling. This early engagement helps foster a sense of pride in their cultural heritage.
- Festivals as Anchors: Events like the Summer Day Festival, which celebrates Pagan rituals, have become vital for bringing communities together and showcasing Albania’s living traditions.
Agolli and Shehu emphasized the importance of safeguarding spaces where heritage practices can flourish, advocating for policies that balance urban development with cultural preservation.
“We must ensure that modernization does not erase the roots of our identity,” reflected Esmeralda Agolli, emphasizing the importance of cultural safeguarding in urban transformation.
Austria:
Vienna’s Evolving Heritage
Vienna’s cultural landscape is defined by its iconic coffee houses and the historic tradition of Danube bathing. These elements are deeply embedded in the city’s identity but face pressures from changing urban lifestyles.
Marie-Theres Bauer, part of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, focuses on safeguarding ICH and co-supervising the National Inventory. She highlighted how practices shaped by an urban environment become an integtral part of urban lifestyle. Lene Benz, an urban designer and cultural sociologist who works at the intersection of urbanism, art, and activism, emphasized the importance of engaging communities in safeguarding efforts.
Key Strategies:
Viennese Coffee House Culture: Vienna’s coffee houses are more than just places to drink coffee—they are hubs of social and intellectual exchange. The coffee-house owners have formed an association to better collaborate and find creative solutions to common challenges. In addition, the coffee houses as historical structures also greatly impact the visual of the city.
- Danube Bathing Revival: The Danube bathing tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, had largely disappeared by the mid-20th century. Vienna has worked to revive this practice by restoring riverbanks to create public spaces for recreational swimming while respecting historical customs.
- Community-Led Initiatives: Programs and initiatives like “Neighborhood Oasis” or „Grätzloase” in German, foster collaboration among residents, creating shared cultural spaces. With consent of the owners, spaces such as inner courtyards of municipal buildings, the temporary use of private streets for events or the interim use of gaps in building sites and wasteland can be turned into “Neighborhood Oasis”.
Bauer and Benz emphasized that these efforts demonstrate how traditions can evolve to meet the needs of a modern urban population while safeguarding their authenticity.
“Heritage is not static—it evolves alongside the city and its people,” emphasized Marie-Theres Bauer, reflecting Vienna’s approach to adapting traditions.
Malta:
Migration and Living Heritage
Malta’s rich cultural history has been shaped by its position as a crossroads of civilizations. Today, with over 20% of its population being non-Maltese, migration continues to reshape the island’s cultural identity.
Melanie Ciantar Harrington, Coordinator of the ICH Unit within Malta’s Culture Directorate and Secretary for the National Board for ICH, shared how Malta has worked to raise awareness about safeguarding ICH through community engagement. She was joined by Alexander Farrugia, Director of Culture within the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, who highlighted the role of cultural policies in fostering integration.
Key Initiatives:
- Inclusive Community Festivals: Events like the Festa integrate migrant and local contributions, fostering collaboration and enriching traditional practices.
- Hybrid Heritage Forms: Migrants have introduced new culinary and artistic elements, creating hybrid traditions that reflect Malta’s multicultural reality.
- Shared Spaces: Workshops and community centers foster dialogue and understanding between Maltese and migrant populations.
The speakers framed migration not as a threat to heritage but as an opportunity for cultural growth and innovation, enriching the traditions that Malta strives to safeguard.
“Migration is not a threat to heritage—it is an opportunity for growth and renewal,” noted Alexander Farrugia, reflecting the enriching role of migration.
Slovenia:
Ljubljana’s Cultural Sustainability
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, has embraced living heritage as a cornerstone of its identity. Mateja Demšič, Head of the Department for Culture at the Municipality of Ljubljana, emphasized the city’s role in creating inclusive spaces for cultural expression. Tanja Roženbergar, Museum Councillor for Craft and Trade Collection at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, shared how Ljubljana uses cultural policies to safeguard both traditional and contemporary practices.
Key Projects:
- Urban Beekeeping Movement: Rooftop beehives on public and private buildings have created a “bee-friendly” city, producing unique products like “prison honey” while promoting sustainability.
- Path of Remembrance and Comradeship: This 40-kilometer route, commemorating Ljubljana’s WWII history, serves as both a recreational path and a cultural resource, blending the past with contemporary use.
- Creative Hubs: The Rog factory, a former industrial site, has been transformed into a hub for traditional and contemporary crafts, fostering collaboration between artisans and designers.
Demšič and Roženbergar emphasized that Ljubljana’s approach demonstrates how heritage safeguarding can contribute to social, environmental, and cultural sustainability.
“Heritage is not just our past—it’s the foundation for building a vibrant, inclusive future,” emphasized Mateja Demšič, reflecting Ljubljana’s vision.
Turkiye:
Kayseri’s Heritage Economy
In Kayseri, Turkiye, heritage safeguarding has been integrated into the city’s economic model. Özlem Kevseroğlu, Vice Chair of the Department of Architecture and Chair of the Urban and Environmental Studies Department at Abdullah Gül University, shared her research on cultural landscapes and urban stratification. Ahmet Tan, Culture and Tourism Expert at the Directorate General of Living Heritage and Cultural Activities, discussed the importance of engaging local communities in promoting Kayseri’s heritage.
Focus Areas:
- Culinary Tourism: Kayseri’s iconic dish, mantı (dumplings), is celebrated through festivals and cooking classes, attracting visitors and raising awareness about the region’s culinary heritage.
- Vocational Training Programs: Young artisans are trained in traditional crafts like carpet weaving, ensuring these skills are passed down to future generations.
- Repurposed Heritage Sites: Historical buildings have been restored and transformed into cultural centers that host workshops, exhibitions, and events, tying the past to the present.
Kayseri’s model demonstrates the economic potential of integrating heritage safeguarding with urban development. To enhance cultural identity and promote living heritage in urban contexts, a comprehensive strategy is proposed, focusing on integrating heritage into urban culture, fostering community participation, and revitalizing cultural spaces. Key initiatives include developing digital archives, implementing “Living Human Treasures” programs, introducing heritage-focused education in schools, and supporting local economies through cultural tourism. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing inclusivity, social dialogue, and sustainability, while preventing discrimination and fostering research collaborations to ensure the preservation and active engagement with cultural heritage.
“Culture must be woven into the fabric of urban life—it is not an addition but a foundation,” stated Özlem Kevseroğlu, underlining the role of heritage in sustainability.
Key Takeaways from Round Table 1
- Community Ownership: Local communities play a central role in safeguarding and promoting ICH, from organizing festivals to passing down traditional skills.
- Adapting to Modern Life: Successful cities integrate heritage into contemporary life through education, tourism, and urban design.
- Youth Engagement: Programs that target younger generations are essential to ensuring cultural practices endure.
Conclusion: A Shared Commitment to the Future
Round Table 1 highlighted how cities across South-East Europe are innovating to safeguard intangible cultural heritage in evolving urban contexts. Whether it’s artisan markets in Tirana, culinary festivals in Kayseri, or rooftop beekeeping in Ljubljana, these initiatives prove that heritage is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force shaping the future of urban life.
As cities grow and modernize, these case studies offer a powerful reminder: heritage thrives when it is woven into the fabric of everyday life, ensuring it remains relevant and meaningful for generations to come.
Note: The quotes attributed to speakers in are interpretive summaries based on their presentations. They reflect the themes and insights shared during the discussions but are not exact verbatim citations.
