ERP KiM Newsletter 29-09-05 By Gordana Markovic, Director of the Serbian Service for Protecting Cultural Memorials
Since the second half of the 19th century, various Serbian cultural institutions have safeguarded Kosovo's cultural heritage. The Service for protecting cultural memorials was established in the mid-20th century. The Service is credited with numerous scientific achievements and has successfully safeguarded and managed the country's cultural heritage in Kosovo since its inception.
A large number of Serbian memorials in Kosovo and Metohija have been identified, categorized and placed under protection. Most of these memorials were placed under protection in the mid-20th century and the most important sites have been classified as such. Since the Service no longer has access to its former database, it cannot name the exact number of protected memorials. Other reliable records however speak of over 1,300 cultural memorials, buildings and sites in Kosovo. The significance of Serbian cultural heritage in the region lies in the fact that these historical sites are a unique stylistic blend of Eastern and Western influences making them a relevant part of world cultural heritage.
The latest large scale destruction of churches and monasteries began in the summer of 1999 culminating on March 17, 2004. In this period, nearly 140 Serbian holy sites were destroyed, of which 34 in a single day. In a report on April 26-30, 2004, the UNESCO mission in Kosovo recorded that the "massive destruction that happened in the Ljeviska Mother of God Church represents more than an act of uncivilized bestiality; it is an unforgivable attack on one of the most important medieval monuments in the Balkans."
One of the Serbian Service for Protecting Cultural Memorials' main objectives is to preserve and protect Serbian and world cultural heritage in Kosovo. Sadly, the Service has limited access to these areas and is only able to reach them under special conditions, through the government Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija. Experts from the Service occasionally visit these sites under armed escort, provided by the international civilian and military missions in Kosovo. This poses a serious obstacle to the Service. In addition, these historical sites are inseparable from their location and function. It is difficult to preserve this unity in Kosovo. Monasteries and churches are surrounded by barbed wire fences, isolating them from their surroundings, diminishing their usefulness. Unfortunately, these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of their occupants and visitors.
The Serbian Orthodox Church, as one of the owners, is one of the biggest contributors to the struggle to protect these important monuments. It is important to note that the Service has prepared reconstruction programs for the damaged sites in Kosovo and that it brings together 10 institutes for protection of cultural monuments across Serbia, which proves that the Service is fully capable of participating and running reconstruction operations. This was one of the conclusions reached at a meeting of national cultural heritage protection institutes directors held at the Pristina University Rectorate in Kosovska Mitrovica at the end of August 2005. The meeting was also attended by the Serbian ministers of culture and employment, the Serbia-Montenegro committee for cooperating with UNESCO, the coordinating center and university representatives.
UNESCO is also providing assistance. UNESCO expert personnel were responsible for extending the Decani monastery's nomination for its placement on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The extension also applied to the Pec Patriarchate, the Gracanica Monastery and the Prizren Ljeviska Mother of God Church. Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo is a valuable part of world cultural heritage and as such calls for expert attention. UNESCO expert Elka Georgijeva Bakalova-Lazareva is expected to arrive at the end of September 2005 on an evaluation mission pertaining to the Decani nomination. Also, the Italian Intersos non-government organization and the Central Institute for Restoration in Rome are engaged in the Pec Patriarchate and Decani. The Swedish Cultural Heritage Without Frontiers NGO is also helping to rebuild the Manor in Velika Hoca. The Service is grateful to all of these agencies and individuals for their help. Some are preparing publications on the subject of Serbian memorials in Kosovo and Metohija. A book on Serbian memorials in Kosovo, written by the famous 20th century French explorer Gabriel Millet, has recently been reprinted. The book has long been essential reading for anyone seriously interested in medieval art.
Since the second half of the 19th century, various Serbian cultural institutions have safeguarded Kosovo's cultural heritage. The Service for protecting cultural memorials was established in the mid-20th century. The Service is credited with numerous scientific achievements and has successfully safeguarded and managed the country's cultural heritage in Kosovo since its inception.
A large number of Serbian memorials in Kosovo and Metohija have been identified, categorized and placed under protection. Most of these memorials were placed under protection in the mid-20th century and the most important sites have been classified as such. Since the Service no longer has access to its former database, it cannot name the exact number of protected memorials. Other reliable records however speak of over 1,300 cultural memorials, buildings and sites in Kosovo. The significance of Serbian cultural heritage in the region lies in the fact that these historical sites are a unique stylistic blend of Eastern and Western influences making them a relevant part of world cultural heritage.
The latest large scale destruction of churches and monasteries began in the summer of 1999 culminating on March 17, 2004. In this period, nearly 140 Serbian holy sites were destroyed, of which 34 in a single day. In a report on April 26-30, 2004, the UNESCO mission in Kosovo recorded that the "massive destruction that happened in the Ljeviska Mother of God Church represents more than an act of uncivilized bestiality; it is an unforgivable attack on one of the most important medieval monuments in the Balkans."
One of the Serbian Service for Protecting Cultural Memorials' main objectives is to preserve and protect Serbian and world cultural heritage in Kosovo. Sadly, the Service has limited access to these areas and is only able to reach them under special conditions, through the government Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija. Experts from the Service occasionally visit these sites under armed escort, provided by the international civilian and military missions in Kosovo. This poses a serious obstacle to the Service. In addition, these historical sites are inseparable from their location and function. It is difficult to preserve this unity in Kosovo. Monasteries and churches are surrounded by barbed wire fences, isolating them from their surroundings, diminishing their usefulness. Unfortunately, these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of their occupants and visitors.
The Serbian Orthodox Church, as one of the owners, is one of the biggest contributors to the struggle to protect these important monuments. It is important to note that the Service has prepared reconstruction programs for the damaged sites in Kosovo and that it brings together 10 institutes for protection of cultural monuments across Serbia, which proves that the Service is fully capable of participating and running reconstruction operations. This was one of the conclusions reached at a meeting of national cultural heritage protection institutes directors held at the Pristina University Rectorate in Kosovska Mitrovica at the end of August 2005. The meeting was also attended by the Serbian ministers of culture and employment, the Serbia-Montenegro committee for cooperating with UNESCO, the coordinating center and university representatives.
UNESCO is also providing assistance. UNESCO expert personnel were responsible for extending the Decani monastery's nomination for its placement on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The extension also applied to the Pec Patriarchate, the Gracanica Monastery and the Prizren Ljeviska Mother of God Church. Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo is a valuable part of world cultural heritage and as such calls for expert attention. UNESCO expert Elka Georgijeva Bakalova-Lazareva is expected to arrive at the end of September 2005 on an evaluation mission pertaining to the Decani nomination. Also, the Italian Intersos non-government organization and the Central Institute for Restoration in Rome are engaged in the Pec Patriarchate and Decani. The Swedish Cultural Heritage Without Frontiers NGO is also helping to rebuild the Manor in Velika Hoca. The Service is grateful to all of these agencies and individuals for their help. Some are preparing publications on the subject of Serbian memorials in Kosovo and Metohija. A book on Serbian memorials in Kosovo, written by the famous 20th century French explorer Gabriel Millet, has recently been reprinted. The book has long been essential reading for anyone seriously interested in medieval art.