Interactive and virtual presentation of cultural heritage & cinema
Brief summary
The proposed project aims at the valorisation of the cultural heritage for the development of tourism in the cross-border area, while the focal point is on both the local cultural heritage with architecture and monuments and on the cinema history of the cross-border area.
Through the project, two cinemas are created, which shall promote the cinema history of the cross-border area, consisting a proposal for the visitors of the two cities.
Furthermore, 3D photorealistic models of important buildings and architectural ensembles are developed, which form a part of an application that includes displays and information about all the monuments and the visiting places in the area. The application is common in an effort to create a single touristic package for the whole cross-border area.
An info center at the center of the city of Bitola is also created and a visiting place for the promotion of the local architectural culture and history in the recently renovated Tsami’s House.
A series of conferences and workshops are organised aiming at promoting the touristic product as well as at the functional linkage of the cultural heritage with the contemporary cultural creation.
With all the above actions that have a comprehensive character, the organisation of the touristic product of the cross-border area and the information provision to the visitors will be significantly improved, whereas a considerable visibility of existing and new touristic resources and events will be achieved.
The project’s beneficiaries are all the professionals in the sector of tourism and the producers of local products that will be promoted through this project. The improvement of these sectors will lead to significant benefit for the local economy and society of the cross-border area as a whole.
The innovative elements of the proposal are the exploitation of 3D photorealistic models for the virtual redevelopment of buildings that do not exist now and of entire areas, whose buildings are not entirely preserved.
Moreover, the functional linkage of the cultural heritage with the contemporary cultural creation is an important innovation element.
The added value of the project is extremely high, as it complements previous projects and existing sites that remain inactive, and making them fully functional. In this sense, the project complements many years’ efforts and creates a grid of spaces and actions, which upgrades the touristic product of the cross-border area to an extent that is disproportionate to its cost.
about the programme
Interreg IPA CBC Programme ”Greece –Republic of North Macedonia 2014-2020”
The Interreg IPA CBC Programme ”Greece –Republic of North Macedonia 2014-2020” is a cross-border cooperation Programme co-financed by the European Union under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II).
The strategy statement of the Programme is “to enhance territorial cohesion by improving living standards and employment opportunities holding respect to the environment and by using the natural resources for upgrading of the tourism product”. The total budget of the Programme for the period 2014-2020 is 45.470.066,00 €.
project objectives
Improve the attractiveness and promote tourism in the cross-border area to enhance employment in tourism
Protection and usage of cultural and natural heritage; with the valorisation of the traditional architecture and buildings in Varosi of Edessa and the Old Theater of Bitola, as well as of the cultural heritage of the 2 cities.
Upgrade of touristic products and services; with the creation of useful ICT tools that operate supportively and valorise the touristic product. Through the use of new technologies, the touristic resources of the cross-border area are promoted and highlighted.
Involve stakeholders and population to the development of the touristic sector to create employment opportunities; the project involves hotels and companies rendering services and promotes local products to visitors.
Create a joint touristic brand for the CBC area, with the valorisation of the cultural heritage of the first filmmakers, Manaki Brothers and the creation- promotion of a new touristic product, which is based on cultural heritage and contemporary cultural creation.
Horizontal and vertical networking among sectors that upgrade the touristic product (local products, gastronomy, cultural events); Cultural events are realised with workshops in the 2 cities, where young artists give their own perspective on cultural heritage. The project completes important actions, like Manaki Festival in Bitola (procurement of cinema equipment for promoting the Festival) and creates equivalent infrastructure and events in the area of Mills in Edessa. In this way, local products, local architectural culture are linked with cinema and contemporary cultural creation.
-Involve stakeholders and population to the development of the touristic sector to create employment opportunities; the project involves hotels and companies rendering services and promotes local products to visitors.
partners
municipality of Edessa - lead partner
Edessa is a city in northern Greece and the capital of the Pella regional unit, in the Central Macedonia region of Greece. It was also the capital of the defunct province of the same name. The municipality has an area of 611.212 km2 while the total population is 29.799. Edessa was one of Greece’s industrial centres until the middle of the 20th century, with many textile factories operating in the city and its immediate vicinity. Today however its economy mainly relies on services and tourism. The Municipality of Edessa at the same time with working out the developmental and economic-technical studies of appointment natural, historical, cultural and tourist poles, seeks the best practice for the sustainable developing of urban tourism. The Municipality of Edessa has a large experience in implementing co-funded projects, and it holds a Certification of Administrative Capacity regarding project planning and implementation.
Municipal Enterprise of Edessa
Municipal Enterprise of Edessa was founded in 1985 and during the first years it was exclusively concerned with the “Waterfalls” center and since 1993 it has been expanding and now deals with Tourism-Culture-Sports Local and Social Development by creating similar sectors and sub-actions. In 2009 it becomes a Municipal Welfare Corporation. Collaborated with the scientific potential of the region has given growth potential. Participation in European programs, the organization of conferences and the operation of a tourist information office are only a few of its latest activities, of course, for the development of the municipality of Edessa.
The aim of the company is to promote the exploitation of the region’s wealth resources through its entrepreneurial activity, the high service of the citizens of Edessa and the visitors of the area. At the same time it contributes to the creation of new jobs through the continuous reinvestment of the company’s profits in the region (promotion – advertising – public relations).
Municipality of Bitola
The Municipality of Bitola is the biggest local authority in the cross-border area of the former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba, Nidže and Kajmakčalan mountain ranges, 14 kilometres (9 miles) north of the Medžitlija-Níki border crossing with Greece. The city stands at an important junction connecting the south of the Adriatic Sea region with the Aegean Sea and Central Europe, and is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre.
Bitola is the economic and industrial center of southwestern country. Many of the largest companies in the country are based in the city. The Pelagonia agricultural combine is the largest producer of food in the country. The three thermoelectric power stations of REK Bitola produce nearly 80% of electricity in the state. The Frinko refrigerate factory was a leading electrical and metal company. Bitola also has significant capacity in the textile and food industries. Municipality of Bitola holds a great experience in implementing cross-border projects about tourism, culture and environment
Association for the development of ecology, tourism and cultural cooperation GRIN-LIST Bitola
The NGO “GRIN-LIST” was established in order to contribute to the development of democratic, environmental, tourism and cultural awareness in building mutual tolerance and respect for different opinions and beliefs. To achieve its goals and objectives, the Association organise public debates, panel discussions and public hearings, also, the association contacts the media to inform the public about the content of the activities of the association.
The Association is involved in realization of many projects and cooperates with other NGO-s and with governmental association and with individuals from the country and abroad. It also has active participation in humanitarian actions, initiates processes for development of civil awareness in the field of education, culture, ecology, tourism and gender equity.
Events
Kick-off Meeting
Wednesday, 15.05.2019 – BIC Hall of Edessa City Hall
Topics
- Progress of the project until the first semester of 2019.
- Current procedures of the project partners in order to implement the individual actions.
- Acceleration of the assignment process and implemetatation of individual actions.
- Managment and time scheduling of the partners common project actions.
- Organizational and administrative difficulties and manners of their solving.
2nd Technical Meeting
Wednesday 18.09.2019, Bitola
Topics
Partners presented the necessary actions that has been performed and the future scheduled actions.
Progress
Thursday 24.12.2020, Bitola
In order to promote Bitola as a tourist destination where you can experience cinema and theater history of the Balkans, Municipality Bitola – CINECULTURE project virtually reconstructed the old theater building and developed content that promotes Bitola as a cultural tourist destination.
The Study of touristic valorization of cultural and national heritage in cross border area has been developed within the implementation of the project “Interactive and virtual presentation of cultural heritage & cinema” with an acronym “CINECULTURE”.
Project co-funded by the European Union and national funds of the participating countries
This webpage has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of the webpage are the sole responsibility of Municipality of Edessa and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, the participating countries and the Managing Authority.