Interdisciplinary scientific workshop, 22-24 April 2016

The Hungarian University Federation from Cluj-Napoca (FUMC – KMEI) is implementing the project “Culture and Nature in Transylvania: Past and Future” through which a unique transdisciplinary and transnational research group is established that studies the cultural and natural heritages of the South-Western part of Sălaj County in a common framework using the complex methodologies of ecology, art history, archaeology, cultural and visual anthropology. The project meets the objectives of Programme PA16/RO12 Conservation and revitalisation of cultural and natural heritage, financed through EEA Grants, and it is implemented in partnership with Bergen University Museum, and the Nordic Anthropological Film Association.

Between the 22nd and 24th of April an interdisciplinary scientific workshop was organized on human-nature interactions, the links between cultural and natural heritages, on the vulnerability and sustainability of traditional cultural and ecological values. The participants from Romania (Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Târgu Mureș, Satu Mare) and from abroad (Norway, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary) covered a wide array of different topics from the field of biodiversity, cultural anthropology (and visual anthropology), archaeology and art history: heritage and film, restoration of historic buildings, archaeological findings, haymaking and local ecological knowledge, local museums, bear and human interactions, insect hotels, new religious phenomena etc. Each presentation was followed by vivid discussions. On the last day of the workshop the participants visited the region studied in the framework of the project. According to the feedback from participants the workshop was a great success, especially with regards to its interdiscpilinarity.