European Heritage Days – Visit to the Public Open University Čakovec by Students from the Visual Communications Elective Course of the Josip Slavenski Grammar School Čakovec
European Heritage Days 2024: Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections
This year’s European Heritage Days event is taking place in 66 localities across Croatia, with more than 130 events organised by 140 different institutions, including museums, libraries, archives, cultural associations, folk art societies, institutes, faculties, primary and secondary schools, tourist boards, and others. The central theme at the European level, “Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections,” highlights the importance of the shared values, history, and cultural heritage that permanently connect and network people and communities across Europe.
This theme emphasises the importance of shared cultural values and history that network individuals and communities throughout Europe. The rich program allows visitors to explore cultural routes, regional and local networks, and to familiarise themselves with the diverse cultural heritage that unites us. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes, launched in 1987, provide a framework for identifying and connecting related elements of European and national heritage. In 2016, the Republic of Croatia acceded to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, and today, 21 such cultural routes pass through our country.
The Visual Communications Elective Course from Josip Slavenski Grammar School Čakovec Visits POU Čakovec
As part of the event, students from the Visual Communications elective course of the Josip Slavenski Grammar School Čakovec participated in an educational event at the Public Open University Čakovec. The students were under the expert mentorship of their teacher, Karmen Farkaš, who guided them and provided professional support during the event. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Media’s Conservation Department in Varaždin, Martina Matijaško, accompanied by her colleague Ivančica Peharda, imparted their knowledge to the students about the architecture and restoration of the Public Open University Čakovec building, which dates back to 1903.
The students learned about the building’s renovation process, which represents an important aspect of preserving cultural heritage. This lecture was not only an opportunity to gain knowledge about architecture and restoration but also to understand the broader context of cultural heritage. They recognised the importance of preserving cultural heritage as an indispensable part of community identity. By participating in this event, they not only became acquainted with renovation techniques and strategies but also learned how art can be a powerful tool for promoting awareness of cultural values.
The European Heritage Days provide an exceptional opportunity for reflection on cultural roots and identity. By participating in events like this, students not only acquire new knowledge and skills but also become active participants in the preservation and promotion of their community’s cultural heritage. This year’s event once again confirms that heritage is not merely the past, but also a bridge that connects us to the future.
