Centre for interpretation of traditional culture Alma Vii - Restoration and functional conversion of the fortification

Centre for interpretation of traditional culture Alma Vii - Restoration and functional conversion of the fortification
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Project Promoter: Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation

Project Partner: Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU)

Project duration: 20 months, but no later than 31.10.2016

Total project amount: RON 7,643,499.61, i.e. EUR 1,726,252.22

Grant amount: RON 6,847,046.95, i.e. EUR 1,546,376.74

The project builds on a previous project implemented in Alma Vii by Mihai Eminescu Trust (MET) and the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU). Among other activities, the application of the DIVE (Landscape and heritage site analysis) methodology proposed by the Norwegian partner has identified the Saxon fortification as the most important element of the local cultural heritage that can be valorised and can create economic and social opportunities for the local population. Following the examples of success of Mihai Eminescu Trust in other villages in Transylvania, the project will address:

  • local needs by creating opportunities for the local Romanian and Roma community (the last one represents 51% of the total village population) to generate sustainable economic income through valorisation of the existing heritage;
  • regional needs to adequately interpret and present the multiethnic (Saxon and Roma in particular) traditional culture in Transylvania to the large national and international public;
  • international context by striving to create a world-class good practice model of sustainable local and regional development through the restoration and appropriate interpretation of the multiethnic cultural tangible and intangible heritage of Transylvania. 

The general objective of the project is to create in Alma Vii a world-class good practice model of sustainable local and regional development through the restoration and appropriate interpretation of the multiethnic cultural tangible and intangible heritage of Transylvania.

The specific objectives are:

(1) The protection and valorisation of the national heritage class, medieval fortification in Alma Vii, Sibiu County.
(2) Regional and local development of the rural communities in Alma Vii area (Sibiu County) through the restoration and appropriate interpretation of the multiethnic cultural heritage.
(3) The conservation, valorisation and appropriate interpretation towards the general national and international public of the multiethnic intangible heritage of Transylvania. (4) The continuation and strengthening of bilateral relations between MET and NIKU.

Main outcomes of the project

Outcome A: 5 buildings of cultural heritage value restored or rehabilitated (4 towers and one annex), 1 Centre for Interpretation of Traditional Culture created, 347,9 m2 Built surface restored and functionally converted; one Romanian-Norwegian joint field research in medieval built archaeology; one new technology introduced to Romanian specialist by the Norwegian Partner, one photogrammetry documentation of the Alma Vii heritage site, one feature documentary films for the heritage site on media channels,  2.500  unique visits of the online promotion tools

Outcome B: One strategic document in relation with heritage assets, 308 informed locals about the opportunities created by the project of which 65 involved in development of products and services, 3 interpretations of intangible heritage of the local Roma community; 10.000 leaflets distributed through 25 regional and national tourist information centres; 10 short documentary films publicly available; 50 mass-media appearances promoting the beneficiary community as travel destination; 10 descriptions on international travel websites promoting the beneficiary community
The extension of the partnership between Mihai Eminescu Trust and the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) ensures a wider dissemination of the heritage protection efforts in Romania, with Alma Vii as a case study along with exchange of experience on a variety of topics.

Project news

SUSTAINABILITY

IMPACT

The impact of the project at local and regional level generated:

Social benefits:

  • strengthening and involving the local community in the sustainable development of the village:
  • social diversity and increased awareness regarding the opportunities that the village offers generated by the presence of tourists, Romanian and foreign experts;
  • involvement of the local community by sharing the responsibility for the maintenance of the historical monument through the community Association “Alma Viitor” (Future Alma);
  •  economic and social development of the local community provided by the existence of the Centre for interpretation of Traditional Culture;

Economic benefits:

  • supporting traditional crafts as a source of income through the Association “Alma Viitor”, which gathers seven locals, including 3 Roma;
  • motivating local small businesses to continue and develop their cultural offer;
  • attracting entrepreneurs from outside the community who plan to open an agro-tourism facility;

Cultural benefits:

  • increased awareness about the importance of built heritage;
  • awareness about the importance of preserving the traditional village;
  • increased transparency by making the technical documentation for the restoration works available for national and international experts;
  • creation of a centre where visitors can discover the Romanian multi-ethnic, tangible and intangible heritage through a multi-sensory experience.

Results of the project:

1. a historical monument composed of 4 towers, an annex building and the wall around the Evangelical church of Alma Vii was completely restored and functionally reconverted;

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2. a Centre for Interpretation of Traditional Culture was created and opened to the public;

3. a Romanian-Norwegian joint field research in medieval archaeology was carried out;

4. the bilateral partnership with the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage (NIKU) was consolidated;

5. a feature documentary and 10 short documentaries were created to promote the project and its results;

6. a strategic document for the sustainable management of the heritage site was drafted

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7. a project website, a Social Media page, an application for the multimedia guiding system were created.

Events

Alma Vii Day, October 2015

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Festive inauguration, September 2016

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Alma Vii Day, October 2016

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KEY FACTS

2 months after the inauguration, 800 people have visited the Centre for interpretation of Traditional Culture

412 locals informed about the opportunities created through the project, out of which 74 people were involved in the methodology of creating products and services

6 interpretations of intangible heritage are available at the centre

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10.000 leaflets and 2.500 brochures in 3 languages were distributed to 25 touristic entities

87 mass-media appearances promoting the project

26 descriptions on international travel website identified

14.126 views of the short documentaries

25.931 views of the feature documentary

10 short documentaries

Video materials

Photo gallery

BEFORE

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AFTER

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Executed works, July 2016

 

Executed works, May 2016

 

Executed works, December 2015

 

Executed works, September 2015