On January 15th, 2024, the workshop “Il Mare dei Mestieri” took place at Palazzo Mocenigo, in Venice, hosted by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. The event, financed by the European Union as part of the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” Project (CC4WBs), was organized by the Albanian Rural Research Institute, and financed through the Italian Development Agency for Cooperation, Tirana Headquarters.
The primary objective of the workshop was to establish connections between specific traditional manufacturing craftmanship and the exploration of new cultural models for boosting skills and creativity. A pivotal focus was placed on the introduction of the Xhubleta, a 4,000-year-old traditional Albanian garment inscribed on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding since 2022. The workshop discussion focused on elucidating strategies for leveraging cultural heritage for sustainable local development. Notably, there was a deliberate emphasis on integrating both traditional and contemporary elements to foster a holistic and innovative approach to cultural preservation and sustainable development.
Stefania Vizzaccaro, Representative of AICS Tirana, expressed gratitude to the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia for hosting a workshop that explores the manufacturing links between Italy and Albania in the context of a broader CC4WBs project Ms Vizzaccaro also greeted the Rural Research Institute of Tirana as the organizer of a workshop that focuses on strategies to valorise the cultural heritage of the Western Balkans region, while outlining actions for its sustainable development. The speaker emphasized the cultural diversity of the Western Balkans, citing the Xhubleta, the North Albania traditional dress, and highlighted the rich history of textile manufacturing in both Albania and the Veneto region. Ms. Vizzacaro underscored the inestimable cultural and economic value of the manufacturing wealth on both sides of the Adriatic and stressed the commitment to preserving and safeguarding the common heritage. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Tirana is dedicated to promoting culture and creative industries as drivers of inclusive economic development. She emphasized the importance of an inclusive and participatory approach involving various stakeholders, including governments, institutions, NGOs, and local communities, to actively preserve and enhance cultural traditions. The Italian Cooperation’s commitment extends beyond cultural support, reflecting a comprehensive strategy for development in the region.
The “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by AICS in partnership with UNESCO (lead) and the British Council, aims to support the Western Balkans region in leveraging its territorial identities for local development and sustainable economic opportunities.
