Cultural heritage is more than historic buildings, monuments and objects. We are interested in how it can become a space that brings people and communities together and connects them with their future.
At the Museum of Madness, we discussed these questions with Caroline Fernolend, a key figure in the revitalisation of the village of Viscri in Romania. Viscri is a Transylvanian Saxon village characterised by traditional architecture, colourful farmhouses and a fortified medieval church, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its cultural value.
Our conversation with Caroline Fernolend is rooted in the understanding that, when preserving heritage, we must also consider our relationship with the place, its people, their knowledge, experiences and way of life. Its value is also reflected in how people embrace it as their own, how they live with it and how they incorporate it into their visions of the future.
At the Museum of Madness at Cmurek Castle, we also understand heritage through people and their stories. Within the walls of this cultural monument, we have created a space for encounters, understanding and cooperation. We believe that cultural heritage truly comes to life when it becomes part of the community.
Our conversation with Caroline Fernolend invites reflection on the principles of the Faro Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society and on how cultural heritage can contribute to a more connected and inclusive society.
We invite you to listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZbXnjVgrq0.
This conversation was produced as part of the project Direction: Cultural Heritage, funded by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration.
