For three days this month, Thessaloniki will be a hub for Balkan’s heritage experts. Greece's city-museum of Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments will gather over a hundred professionals from all across the Balkans for the sixth annual Meet, See, Do conference.

Taking place between 18 and 20 April, the conference aims to connect and inspire museum and heritage professionals from the Balkan region, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of their efforts in safeguarding the common European heritage. Through a number of panel sessions and speeches, the conference will offer practical examples concerning innovation and development in the fields of history, culture, and heritage.

On behalf of European Heritage Days, its programme manager Jelena Mocevic will participate in a panel session themed “What is Balkan Heritage?” The panel will offer a new perspective on the cultural and historic treasures of the region and Ms. Mocevic will present the activities of the Balkan Museum Network in the context of European Heritage Days. Commenting on her participation in the event, she states:

“The Meet, See, Do conference aims to achieve something very valuable for the entire region. Through its thoughtful choice of participants and themes, it will put spotlight on the work that is being done in the field of cultural heritage on the Balkans and help raise awareness of its value in the European context. Coming from the Balkans myself, I feel a great connection not only to the conference’s key topics, but also to its participants. Together, we can inspire each other for new achievements, partnerships, and collaborative efforts that can make a difference in how heritage is perceived and managed in the region.

The conference is also a wonderful opportunity to highlight the exceptional work that is being carried out within European Heritage Days in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and other neighbouring countries. The people who live and work here have a great sensibility for their shared heritage and I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss some of the heritage success stories I have seen while working with them.”

Organised by the Balkan Museum Network (BMN), the conference is a grass-root and interest-based network that celebrates and helps preserve the complex common heritage of the western Balkans. The members of BMN currently include over 65 museums and more than 70 individuals.

The Meet See Do conference is one of the key activities for the expansion of the network and the promotion of its work, which looks to cover the most relevant topics in the field. During its 2018 edition, it will discuss the following key topics:  

  • Diversity, participation and models of coproduction
  • Museum brand management and community involvement
  • Stories behind shared and divided Balkan heritage

The assembly of seasoned heritage professionals will offer their insightful views on these topics, helping define the best practices for the future work in the field. Through the presentation of European Heritage Days, the participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the European-level initiative BMN is taking part in and how they are working toward reaching a common goal of preserving and enhancing Europe’s heritage.

Photos: Meet, See, Do 2017, Source: bmuseums.net