Press

THE 2nd EDITION OF THE ''VALORIZATION OF TRADITIONS'' HAS STARTED

The association ISTARSKO – Ecomuseum from Vodnjan, Istrian de Dignan, held on Friday 29th January at the Open University a public presentation of its yearly programme and projects for the year 2016 with the goal of actively involving the local community in its activities. The association's programme, as has been pointed out by its representatives Dino Babić, president of the association, Bernardina Hlevnjak Pastrovicchio, the association's secretary and Maira Rumac, the Ecomuseum's director, is focused on 3 areas: culture, tourism and agriculture. A big emphasis is put on the touristic segment, within which the association will place on the European market touristic programmes realized through cooperation with all local private renters, producers and wine and oil tasting rooms to attract the biggest possible number of tourists to Vodnjan and transform it into a year-long tourist destination.

The Vodnjan association Istarsko – Ecomusem, which was founded last summer, in collaboration with its ''honorary member'', the City of Vodnjan, was involved in the organisation of retiling a part of the old town and refreshing the old abandoned buildings, ''voltas'' and alleys which connect the Old town to the Main square.

The Ecomuseum's headquarters, which are on Vodnjan's Main square, are enriched with items from the Memorial collection Erminio Vojvoda. The preparation of an online solution for a dynamic catalogue which would allow the showcasing of all exhibited items, refournished rooms, active persons and original products is in progress

Volunteers from France, Italy and Spain will be staying in Vodnjan throughout the next year as a part of the Developing Innovative Network of Associations to Motivate Initiatives and Cooperation (DINAMIC) project.

''We are honoured you will spend a part of your studying and activites as a part of the DINAMIC project in Vodnjan. I want all of your experiences to be positive and that by the time you get back to your countries, you will bring back from Vodnjan unforgettable moments and new knowledge. The city always backs project which involve young people, especially the ones which develop thinking and abilities that benefit the future and well-being of new generations and in this way they benefit the local community'', said (mayor) Vitasović on the welcoming ceremony.

Volunteers, young experts in different areas, were brought together as a part of the DINAMIC project which is financed by the European Union with the program Erasmus+, through the Mobility and European Volunteer Service (EVS) activites.

On Vodnjan's People's square, in one of the oldest houses in the town, is situated the Ecomuseum. This tourist attraction was created by the ''Istrian de Dignan'' association. In Vodnjan, the old town pavement has been retiled and old areas, ''voltas'' and alleys have been redone and given a fresh feel. The amount of members which are actively involved in the association's work and enrich the museum's collection rises every day.