On Friday, 20th Nov 2009, in the framework of a project, we organized the introductory international conference under the title of Handicraft Academy - heritage for future careers. The fundamental premise of the conference was to show that the integrated development and professional upgrading of handicraft professions is an important aspect of sustainable conservation and revitalization of heritage in all its forms. At the conference, we, together with recognized experts, sought to answer questions about the opportunities and barriers of formal and informal education for handicraft occupations, the training of handicraftsmen in business, marketing and conservational skills, and on EU incentives for conservation programs and development of the handicraft heritage of the countryside. The event was attended by more than 70 Slovenian and Hungarian representatives of the professional, educational and cultural institutions, along with economy, tourism workers and handicraftsmen.

Info-motivational workshops for handicraftsmen, organised by DUO Centre.

Slavko Petovar, mayor of Veržej Municipality

dr. Janez Bogataj, etnologist

Katalin Beszprémy, Hagyományok Háza, Népművészeti Módszertani Műhely

mag. Gojko Zupan, Slovenian Ministry of Culture

Anikó Menyhért, Nemzeti Szakképzési és Felnőttképzési Intézet, Kutatásszervezési és Fejlesztési Osztály
 

Darko Mali, Center RS za poklicno izobraževanje

dr. Tadeja Primožič, Slovenian Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Interpreters for the Slovenian and Hungarian language - Magda Berden and Yolanda Smith Császár

Press conference participants: dr. Janez Bogataj, ethnologist, Akos Zágorhidi Czigány, director general of Hegypásztor Kör, Janez Krnc, head of DUO Centre and Slavko Petovar, mayor of Veržej Municipality.

Round table participans: József Horváth (Martineum Római Katolikus Alapítvány), Eva Skrabut (Zala Megyei Népművészeti Egyesület), Janez Krnc (DUO Centre), Jelka Pšajd (Regional Museum of Murska Sobota) and Stanka Dešnik (The public institution of Goričko Nature Park).

Visit of DUO Centre, Veržej

Pottery Žuman, Ljutomer

Society Pomelaj, Mala Polana

Conference conclusions can be viewed here.

Text and photo: Tatjana Vokić