We are excited to announce an upcoming Workshop on Documentation of Ecclesiastical Heritage, taking place in the beautiful and historic city of Istanbul, from December 9th to 11th, 2024. This workshop, organized by the EU ERASMUS+ Program NARRATE: “Needs for digital recording and documentation of Ecclesiastical Cultural Treasures in monasteries and temples”, promises to be an enriching experience for all those involved in the preservation, documentation, and study of ecclesiastical treasures.
https://narrateproject.eu/workshop
https://narrateproject.eu/partners
Narrate Project: Digital Recording and Documentation of Ecclesiastical Cultural Treasures in Monasteries and Temples
Narrate, an Erasmus+ project supported by the European Union, aims at the digital recording and documentation of ecclesiastic cultural treasures placed in monasteries and temples in Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria. The purpose of the Narrate project is to protect, present and promote world heritage ecclesiastic cultural treasures. Additionally, it is aimed to raise awareness on the use of new technologies and digital literacy in preserving and sharing cultural heritage. The project, coordinated by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, with partners: Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria, the Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD), Tu rkiye, Cognitive UX GmbH, Germany and the International Hellenic University, Greece.
First, as to carry out the user needs evaluation, surveys were prepared to determine the needs and priorities regarding the documentation and digitization process of ecclesiastical cultural heritage by bringing together experts from different profiles such as priests, restoration experts, art professionals and architects. The Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage contacted the members of Rum Foundations, priests, church workers, restorers, architects and art historians in Tu rkiye and collected data through surveys.
A digitalization project is being designed in line with the results obtained by the partners. This project will include documenting the ecclesiastical cultural treasures in churches, together with specific information they carry. Thus, an accessible and informative archive will be created for stakeholders. This digital inventory will make it possible to document, protect and preserve those treasures against natural or human made disasters. The project selected the Ayios Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church in Kuzguncuk, Istanbul as a pilot study where KMKD carries out the digital documentation.
This digitalization project promises substantial advantages in the realms of cultural heritage preservation and promotion, while concurrently enhancing interfaith dialogue and appreciation for those cultural assets. The platform will facilitate convenient access to invaluable information for researchers, art historians and restoration experts, thereby enabling more efficient execution of their respective responsibilities. Moreover, by harnessing these resources, clergy will be empowered to play a active role in safeguarding and protecting cultural heritage artifacts.
One of the main milestones of the Narrate project was the “International Conference on Documentation of Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage”, hosted by Sofia University, Bulgaria between 11-13 March 2024. During the conference, scholars delivered academic presentations focusing on the most recent advancements and methodologies pertinent to the preservation and digitalization of ecclesiastical cultural heritage. These presentations served to elevate awareness regarding the significance of safeguarding and digitizing cultural heritage, while also disseminating the latest methodologies within this domain.
In addition, recently the Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage took part in the Heritage Istanbul 2024 which aimed to raise awareness for the cultural heritage in Tu rkiye. Engaging in this significant event, which showcased KMKD projects together with the Narrate project, enabled us to broaden our audience and enhance the project’s visibility.
The project, which started in January 2023 will extend throughout the year with a series of webinars and will culminate in significant workshop days scheduled for December 9-10-11, 2024, in Istanbul, marking the project’s completion. These workshops will disseminate information on new technologies in documentation and digitalization of cultural heritage.
The Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD)
KMKD will contribute to issues concerning cultural documentation since it is specialized in the capacity building and enhancement for more effective and sustainable preservation of cultural heritage, documentation, digitalization, restoration of the architectural heritage, documentation, and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, conservation, and digitization of movable cultural assets.
The Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD) was founded in 2014 and its activities are pursued with the understanding that the cultural assets created by different communities of Anatolia are the richness of Turkey and the cultural heritage of all humanity. KMKD believes that it is our common responsibility to safeguard for future generations the monuments and artefacts left by those communities who are no longer living there.
KMKD expands the knowledge, skills, and expertise required for understanding the values of the cultural heritage and taking the necessary measures for their protection. KMKD aims to contribute to the recognition and visibility of this cultural heritage and to its transfer to future generations. KMKD emphasizes the necessity of prompt action to be taken for our cultural heritage at risk. KMKD’s risk assessment reports prepared by an interdisciplinary team composed of conservation architects, civil engineers, archaeologists, art historians as well as architectural historians serve this purpose. These reports rely on archival research complemented by field studies conducted on-site, and the resulting analyses aim at developing the most appropriate methods for heritage protection.
KMKD carries out joint projects with national and international institutions to enhance the knowledge, skill, and proficiency for the protection and awareness of cultural heritage at risk, to develop educational content, and to provide heritage interpretation and management.
