Reviving the Culturescape of Jajce by Ivan Bonev

REVIVING THE CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

Jajce

Bosnia & Herzegovina

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................................................4 Team Project Acknowledgements TOWN PROFILE.......................................................................................................................................................................8 INITIAL OBSERVATIONS..............................................................................................................................................12

METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................................................................................14 Target Groups Stakeholders Conclusions INTERPRETATION STRATEGY................................................................................................................................................26 General proposals Reviving the Culturescape of Jajce

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people assisted us in our research and the creation of the booklet. First of all, the team would like to thank CHwB assistant Andrew Lawler for his input and support during the initial, most complex phases of our project. Our special thanks goes to camp coordinator Aida Vežic and interpretation lecturer Jonathan Eaton, whose guidance concerning the heritage interpretation methodology was invaluable. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of the Agency for Cultural and Natural Heritage and Tourism Development of Town Jajce, particularly to Aida Softic Joldic, who provided us with the necessary material on the history and tourism potential of Jajce and kindly answered all our questions. Finally, we wish to thank CHwB regional coordinator Lejla Hadžic for organizing the regional restoration camps and enabling us to participate in this unique educational program. TEAM Dorina Arapi (Albania), Ivan Bonev (Bulgaria), Andi Pistoli (Albania), Iva Raic Stojanovic (Croatia), Drilon Shamolli (Albania), Jesuida Zemani (Albania)

PROJECT The project Reviving the Culturescape of Jajce is the result of the team work performed by the “Interpretation group” during the 14th Regional Restoration Camp, held in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 1 to 14 October 2013. The camp was organized by Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB) as part of the project From Historic Integration to Contemporary Active Participation – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo. The project proposed by the team aims to provide an interpretation strategy for the heritage of Jajce, taking into account its tangible and intangible aspects. The strategy aspires to assist in the work of local heritage institutions and, ultimately, to foster a greater appreciation of the town’s heritage.

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The town rises to tha vault of heaven and lies in an egg-shaped rockâ&#x20AC;? Evlya Chelebi 1660

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

TOWN PROFILE NATURAL PROFILE Jajce, one of the most striking towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, rises above the banks of the Pliva and Vrbas rivers, which create a twenty-meter high waterfall. The spirit of the town emerges out of the fusion of its urban fabric and natural beauties.

HISTORICAL PROFILE Archaeological finds testify to the presence of pre-historical settlements on the territory of Jajce. The period of antiquity is represented by the temple of Mithreum, dating from the third or fourth century AD. The toponym of Jajce first occurred in a written document from 1396, mentioning Duke Hrvoje Vukcic Hrvatinic (1350-1416).

Jajce became a royal town in the fifteenth century. In 1461, the last Bosnian king, Stjepan Tomaševic , was crowned in the Church of St. Mary, whose remains are still present in the town’s historic core. In 1463, king Tomaševic was executed by the Ottomans, and the Hungarian king Mattias Korvin occupied Jajce, establishing the Jajce Duchy as a border area for the Ottoman Empire. In 1527, after more than sixty years, the Ottomans conquered the town of Jajce, making it part of their empire. In 1878, following the fall of the Ottoman

Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the period between two world wars, the country was included in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. On the night of 29 November 1943, during the Second World War, the Second Session of the Antifascist Council of the National Liberation of Yugoslavia was held in Jajce, establishing the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia. REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

HERITAGE VALUES Nowadays, the municipality of Jajce contains twenty seven official national monuments, listed for their natural, historical and cultural values, and is considered an open-air museum. Being part of various empires throughout its history, it is defined by its multicultural and diverse identity. DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL AND ETHNIC PROFILE According to the latest census conducted in 1991, Jajce has the total population of 24,455 inhabitants. Based on the existing data, the Bosniaks make up the majority of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population (37%), followed by Croats (35%), Serbs (19%) and other minorities (9%). However, these numbers do not represent the current situation accurately, since the area was involved in a war during the 1990s. A base for estimation could be the results from local elections in 2008, when Bosniak parties won majority in the Jajce municipality. Therefore, not entirely precise, the previous statistics could be taken into account for the purposes of this study. ECONOMIC PROFILE A study on the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economics has not been conducted over the past decade. However, national statistics indicates that the unemployment rate amounts to over 40%. We can estimate that the overall economic strength of the region is weak.

National Monuments

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

INITIAL OBSERVATIONS OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT HERITAGE INTERPRETATION METHODS We studied different methods of heritage interpretation and tried to become familiar with the current situation in Jajce. From our short experience in the town, we made the following initial observations: t OP DPNQSFIFOTJWF JOUFSQSFUBUJPO TUSBUFHZ GPS UIF DVMUVSBM IFSJUBHF PG UIF town of Jajce t OP WJTJUPS JOGPSNBUJPO DFOUFST t UIF OBUJPOBM NPOVNFOUT BSF QSFTFOUFE WJB JOGPSNBUJPO QBOFMT BT QBSU PG the uniform system of marking national monuments in Bosnia and Herzegovina t UIF QBOFMT DPOUBJO B TIPSU EFTDSJQUJPO BOE ESBXJOH PG B TJUF CVU UIFZ BSF difficult to read or photograph because of their reflective material t PUIFS CVJMEJOHT QPUFOUJBM IFSJUBHF OPU NBSLFE JO BOZ XBZ t OP USBEJUJPOBM DSBGU NBSLFU QSFTFOUJOH JOUBOHJCMF IFSJUBHF BOOVBM DSBGU event discontinued) t IFBWZ FNQIBTJT PO UIF CVJMU IFSJUBHF t JOUFSQSFUBUJPO DPVME CF NPSF UBJMPSFE UP TQFDJÃ½D HSPVQT PG QFPQMF

National Monuments

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

METHODOLOGY BRAINSTORMING RESEARCH

In order to understand the complex and multi-layered political, institutional, ethnical and historical background of the town of Jajce completely, a series of analyses was conducted.

CREATIVE

The base for the entire research is a comprehensive SWOT analysis. Stressing on the extremities in it, we have narrowed down the groups of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats which are crucial for Jajceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. They affect various sectors in the nowadays society, which become intervention priority themes, dealing with the case of Jajce.

UNDERSTANDING

Additionally, working in the area of cultural heritage, we have addressed certain target groups and defined possible stakeholders.

CONCEPT

BRIEFING IMPLEMENTATION

Target groups have been defined by the level of interest in cultural heritage they have. Further analysis includes estimated duration of stay, their age, activities they are involved in and their income. The overall conclusion of the analyses assisted us in determining the target group and proposing an interpretation strategy.

Possible stakeholders have been systematized in groups or individuals according to their importance. Their power and interest in the sector of cultural heritage has been rated, revealing the most influential figures in the town of Jajce. The interpretations and strategies developed further have been based on the additional analysis and addressed the crucial issues in Jajce. They reflect the existing social, political and financial problems concerning the tangible and intangible heritage of the town. They answer the questions and requirements of the SWOT analysis defined.

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

SWOT ANALYSIS This analysis considers the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in relation to the cultural and natural heritage of Jajce, as well as issues of access and tourist offerings. After brainstorming, the group highlighted what they felt were the most important points in each category.

WEAKNESSES Competing for tourists with Travnik and other cities Seasonal night life Most of the Monuments out of the historic old town are not accessible/ well-known No access for disabled people

STRENGTHS

Lack of small and medium sized business in the cultural tourism sector

Local crafts, cuisine and traditions

Landmines

Numerous Cultural Heritage Monuments

Conflict between modern developments and Cultural Heritage environment

Compact Cultural Heritage area - can be accessed on foot

Post conflict society segregation - two major ethnic groups

Professionals in Mediaval period can see a lot in Jajce

Students don't come back to Jajce after university studies

Part of international communication road: Zagreb - Sarajevo Abundance of water - accessible all over the year

Price of property is artificially rising - partly becouse of diaspora inflating the real estate market

Diverse sport activities

Owners of Monuments live abroad and don't maintain and restore them

Sport camps could be developed as educational activities

No interpretation boards on some of the National Monuments

Artistic potential - picturesque town

Boards are difficult to read (bad materials - reflection etc.)

River is realtively trash-free

Boards are not accessible - should also have horizontal ones

Ex-yugoslavia is becoming more interesting for locals/ tourists/ academics

Lack of historical and archeological research

Diaspora representatives invest in reconstruction of their houses

No free public WiFi No public library

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

Reviving the richness of local culture (crafts, cuisine, traditions etc.)

Abandoned houses

Increase number of tourists

Empty spaces in the center

World Flyfishing Championship 2015 in Jajce

Types of interpretation could isolate some society groups

Development of artistic activities (increase awareness of the place -> funding -> increase further activities)

Hard to get a balancced representation of different histories

Multimedia representation of the fortress

General elections in BiH 2014

Empty space in the fortress - semi-permanent potential spaces/archeological site

Conflict between modern developments and Cultural Heritage environment

Census is deviding the ethnic groups even more

Abandoned houses - dark tourism "Intact" castle and houses as a film location IPA Recreation areas are attracting visitors with divers sports and nature connected activities Locally produced goods and their production techniques (ref: Fortress -> Water Mills) Branding Jajce Myths, legends and fairytales Engagement of the public and education through archeological work (summer school) REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

SWOT ANALYSIS This analysis takes a more detailed look at the highlighted portions of the SWOT analysis from the previous page, labeling them as they relate to each of seven impact categories: politics, business, organization and management, heritage, education and arts, access and sports and leisure. This extra level of analysis helps to show which impact categories are most closely related to Jajce’s specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats. E.g. ‘Politics’ falls solely under weaknesses and threats, while ‘heritage’ is only represented under strengths and opportunities. There are both strengths and weaknesses associated with access, as well as opportunities.

STRENGTHS HE

Numerous Cultural Heritage Monuments

ABHE Compact Cultural Heritage area - can be accessed on foot OE

Ex-yugoslavia is becoming more interesting for locals/ tourists/ academics

Diverse sports and leisure activities;

OHE

Well preserved nature

WEAKNESSES Lack of small and medium sized business in the cultural tourism

BO sector;

Conflict between modern developments and Cultural Heritage

PTO environment; EOA Tourist information boards are in bad condition; PE Ethnic segregation;

Most of the Monuments out of the historic old town are not

ATO accessible/well-known;

OPPORTUNITIES OB

Branding Jajce;

HOE

Reviving the richness of local culture (crafts, cuisine, traditions etc.)

LOB

Recreation areas are attracting visitors with divers sports and nature connected activities;

HBE

Locally produced goods and their production techniques (ref: Fortress -> Water Mills);

Increase number of tourists;

THREATS PE

Social isolation and segregation;

POT

Conflict between modern developments and Cultural Heritage environment;

Abandoned houses and unappropriated urban spaces;

IMPACT CATEGORIES P

Politics

Business

Organization and Management

Heritage

Education and Arts

Access

Sports and Leisure REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

TARGET GROUPS A careful look at possible target groups focuses the work to develop heritage interpretation. When an interpretation plan is devised with a particular target group in mind, the resulting product is more cohesive and comprehensible, and it is nearly always engaging for many more people that fall outside of the target audience. The following list of target groups is by no means complete; rather, it is intended as a sample cross-section of some of the target groups that could engage with the cultural and natural heritage of Jajce. Due to the lack of time

to complete a detailed study, the analysis of each group is based on the interpretation teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s estimates about their interests, motivations, wealth, etc. In order to develop a full interpretation project, further research will be needed in order to learn more about the chosen target group and to include them from an early stage in the project planning process. For the purposes of the interpretation examples on following pages, the chosen target group is primary school students.

POSSIBLE TARGET GROUPS

DURATION OF STAY (days)

INTERESTS/MOTIVE

AGE (years)

SIZE OF GROUP (people)

WEALTH

Diaspora emigrants

2-60

Nostalgia/Family/Property/Pride

Varies

1-5

Varies

Recently retired Western European

1-2

Cultural tourism/Free time

55>

2-4

High

Family camping tourists

4-10

Family time/Cultural tourism

<55

3-6

Average to High

Sports enthusiast

4-10

Sports/Leisure

15-55

1-12

Average to High

Tourism

Varies

Up to one bus

Average to High

Varies

Coach groups

0.5-2

Religious pilgrims

1-2

Religion

Varies

Primary school students

Residents

Education/Engagement with town

10-14

Low

Cultural tourism

Varies

Up to one car

Varies

Education/Free time/Engagement with town

18-38

Low

Cultural heritage hunters Unemployed

0.5-4 Residents

STAKEHOLDERS It is essential to involve stakeholders at the earliest stages of project planning, in order to ensure their investment in and ownership of the resulting interpretation project. This page lists a number of local, national and international stakeholders who could have an interest in the cultural and

natural heritage of Jajce. On the facing page, these stakeholders are sorted according to their interest in a possible interpretation project, as well as their power to affect the outcome. The size of the circle is meant to correspond roughly to the size of that stakeholder group.

STAKEHOLDERS Municipal Institutions of Jajce

ICCROM

Youth Center, Jajce

Agency for Cultural Historical and Natural Heritage and Tourism Development of Jajce

ICOM

Club "Jubiteja prirode", Jajce

Owners of Cultural Heritage sites in Jajce

UNESCO

Eko Pliva, Jajce

Diaspora

Handicap International

Ski center "Ranca", Jajce

Outside businesses

Association for the protection of monuments Hunting club, Jajce and natural values of Jajce

Tourist organizations

Academic community

Franciscan Monastery, Jajce

Administration

Local schools representatives, Jajce

Church "St. John the Baptist", Jajce

Political organizations

Ethnic Museum, Jajce

Islamic community, Jajce

Media

Museum of Second Avnoj Session, Jajce

Catholic Church, Bih

EU/International community

Mountaineering club "Prijatelji Prirode", Jajce

Real estate representatives, Jajce

World Association of the Citizens of the City of Jajce

Rafting club, Jajce

Small and medium business representatives, Jajce

CHwB

Mountaineering club "Cusine", Jajce

Weekly market representatives, Jajce

ICOMOS

SRU "Zlatovica" (fishing), Jajce

Yearly fair representatives, Jajce

LEGEND Cultural Heritage organizations Religious Local organizations Local businesses Educational Museums REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

INTERPRETATION STRATEGY Interpretation refers to the full range of potential activities intended to heighten public awareness and enhance understanding of cultural heritage site. These can include print and electronic publications, public lectures, on-site and directly related off-site installations, educational programmes, community activities, and ongoing research, training, and evaluation of the interpretation process itself.*ICOMOS (2007) The ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cullturall Heritage Sites

Dealing with cultural heritage, approaching the case of Jajce, we can recognize problems on multiple levels. At first sight, everything is perfect â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the picturesque landscape, the amazing waterfall, the rising fortress. However, that seems to be its main problem. Jajceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural heritage is treated superficially. The representative info panels are incomplete and inadequate, the monuments are not thoroughly researched, the legends making the place special remain untold. This strategy tries to reveal the potential of Jajce as well as to uplift it social spirit and economic status. It proposes an interpretation of its cultural richness and a way to present it into urban and cultural scape. It deals with the defined problems on two levels: t 1JNQ NZ JOGP QBOFM t 3FWJWJOH UIF DVMUVSFTDBQF PG +BKDF

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE

DRAWING / WORKSHOP

SEWING / PRESENTATION

EXPLORING AND REWORKING THE TRADITIONAL COSTUMES OF JAJCE FROM THE OTTOMAN PERIOD

The heritage of Jajce, as Dubravko Lovrenovic says, is complex and heterogeneous, embracing different cultures such as the Mediterranean, Central European, Byzantine and oriental-Islamic ones. These different layers of cultures are reflected not only in its history, but also in the traditional costumes. Strong influences of oriental-Islamic civilization can still be seen in people’s lifestyles and customs, and traditional folk costumes are an important part of Jajce’s intangible heritage. The proposed activity aims to help young teens discover faces, stories and patterns behind the traditional costumes. They will discover the way they were knitted and embroidered, finding out more about the people who wore them (their age, religion, social and marital status, etc.). Inspired by observing and discovering traditional costume designs, they can draw and rework them, designing their own, new clothing creations based on traditional motives. The final of this activity will feature an exhibition, dance workshop or theatre play of the young teens’ work.

FOLKLORE / WORKSHOP HORSE RIDING / THEATER

REVIVING CULTURESCAPE OF JAJCE