UNESCO WHV Starogradsko polje / Stari Grad Plain 2024

UNESCO WHV Starogradsko polje 2024 / Stari Grad Plain 2024

Tekst i foto / Text and photo: Duje Mikelić

English text below.

Već četvrtu godinu zaredom održana je radionica obnove i gradnje suhozida u Starogradskom polju na Hvaru. Radionicu je organiziralo Ministarstvo kulture i medija RH, Povjerenstvo za UNESCO u suradnji s JU Agencijom za upravljanje Starogradskim poljem i dio je svjetskog programa WHV – volonteri za svjetsku baštinu, koji na lokalitete upisane na UNESCO-ovu listu dovodi mlade volontere (18-30 godina) iz cijelog svijeta.

Početak rujna (od 1. do 10. 9.) je rezerviran za upoznavanje mladih ljudi iz cijeloga svijeta u najvećoj plodnoj ravnici na hrvatskim otocima, zaštićenom kulturnom krajoliku koji je zapravo najbolje sačuvani antički grčki katastar na Sredozemlju i kao takav upisan na UNESCO-ov popis svjetske baštine. Upravo su suhozidne međe, ili po hvarski temelj fizičke parcelacije u polju. Ovaj prostor se intenzivno koristi već 2 400 godina za uzgoj mediteranskih kultura i samim time poljoprivrednici su svo vrijeme vrijedno održavali sve suhozidne strukture u polju. Ipak, 21. stoljeće nosi nove izazove i smanjenjem intenziteta poljoprivrednih aktivnosti u polju dolazi do manje brige o gomilama i do njihovog eventualnog urušavanja. Kako se umijeće suhozidne gradnje našlo 2018. godine na UNESCO-ovom reprezentativnom popisu nematerijalnih kulturnih dobara, Starogradsko polje postaje idealna kulisa za održavanje suhozidne radionice koja na izravan način spaja dva kulturna dobra zaštićena na najvišoj razini.

Ove godine volonterke su bile: Fatima i Dima iz Kuwajta, Martina i Lia iz Italije, Ema iz Slovačke, Lisa iz Kine i Persis iz Indije – sedam mladih djevojaka koje su studiranjem i/ili svojim poslom vezane za kulturnu baštinu. Suhozidarskog iskustva nitko od njih nije imao, ali želja za radom i učenjem brzo su nadoknadili neiskustvo. Ravnatelj Agencije za upravljanje Starogradskim poljem Vinko Tarbušković uz izvrsno organiziranje cjelokupne starogradske ekspedicije bio je sa nama tokom cijele radionice i posebno se brinuo za veliko kamenje u temeljima. Sličnu ulogu je imao i Bruno Diklić, voditelj Konzervatorskog odjela u Dubrovniku, koji je uz organizacijsku i suhozidarsku ulogu imao i onu svakodnevnu koja iziskuje podosta strpljenja i na tome mu hvala. Tu je bila i Rut Carek, voditeljica Hrvatskog povjerenstva za UNESCO, koja je uz pomoć na dizanju kamena bila zadužena i za dizanje morala i održavanju dobre energije.

Radionica je koncipirana da otprilike pola vremena bude predviđeno za suhozidanje, a pola za edukaciju i upoznavanje ljepota i zanimljivosti otoka Hvara. Za suhozidni dio je odabrana gomila za obnovu se nalazi nasuprot lokve Dračevica, jedinog površinskog izvora vode i prirodnog fenomena polja koje je i stanište brojnih vrsta ptica. Volonterke su se, makar neiskusne, dosta dobro snašle u svom novom zadatku. Prašina, vrućina i nošenje teškog kamenja za njih nije bio nikakav problem i zid se odjednom počeo dizati. Unutar samo pet dana je podignuto oko 60 metara dvostranog suhozida visine 1 metra s unutarnje strane polja i 80 centimetara na strani prema cesti. Zid ujedno ima i jedan ulaz prema parceli kao i zakrivljeni ugao na raskrižju. Rad u polju je bio idealno izmiješan sa dokolicom, tako da je sudionicima bilo organizirano razgledavanje grada Starigrada, Jelse i Hvara, jematva, predavanja, itd.

Desetodnevna radionica je rezultirala razmjenom znanja i kulturnih različitosti, kao i ostvarivanjem prijateljstava. Svi sudionici su bili na kraju prilično sretni sa napravljenim i cjelokupnim iskustvom. Definitivno se svima bilo teško rastati, napustiti starigradsku ljetnu idilu i vratiti se u svakodnevnicu. Vidimo se iduće godine!

English version:

A dry stone wall restoration and construction workshop was held for the fourth consecutive year in the Starigrad Plain on Hvar. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia, the UNESCO Commission, in collaboration with the Public Agency for the Management of Starigrad Plain, and is part of the global WHV program—Volunteers for World Heritage, which brings young volunteers (ages 18-30) from all over the world to sites listed on UNESCO’s list.

The beginning of September (September 1-10) is reserved for gathering young people from all over the world in the largest fertile plain on Croatian islands, a protected cultural landscape that is the best-preserved ancient Greek cadastral field in the Mediterranean and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The dry stone walls, or “gomile” as they are called locally, form the foundation of the field’s physical partitioning. This area has been intensely cultivated for 2,400 years for Mediterranean crops, with farmers diligently maintaining all the dry stone structures. However, the 21st century brings new challenges, and with reduced agricultural activities in the field, there is less care for the gomile, leading to their potential collapse. Since dry stone walling was listed in 2018 on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Starigrad Plain has become an ideal setting for a dry stone wall workshop, directly connecting two forms of cultural heritage protected at the highest level.

This year’s volunteers were: Fatima and Dima from Kuwait, Martina and Lia from Italy, Ema from Slovakia, Lisa from China, and Persis from India—seven young women whose studies or work are connected to cultural heritage. None of them had any experience with dry stone walling, but their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn quickly made up for the lack of experience. The director of the Agency for the Management of the Starigrad Plain, Vinko Tarbašković, expertly organized the entire expedition and was with us throughout the workshop, taking special care of the large stones in the foundations. Bruno Diklić, head of the conservation department in Dubrovnik, had a similar role, overseeing organization,  dry stone walling, and serving as the daily driver. This task requires considerable patience, for which we are grateful. Also present was Rut Carek, head of the Croatian Commission for UNESCO, who helped build the walls, uplifted spirits, and maintained positive energy.

The workshop was structured so that approximately half the time was dedicated to dry stone wall building and the other half to education and exploring the beauty and attractions of Hvar Island. The wall section selected for restoration was located across from Dračevica, the only surface water source and a natural phenomenon in the field that is also a habitat for various bird species. Despite their inexperience, the volunteers adapted well to their new tasks. The dust, heat, and carrying of heavy stones were no issue, and the wall began to rise before our eyes. In just five days, around 60 meters of a double-sided dry stone wall was raised to 1 meter facing the field side and 80 centimetres on the side facing the road. The wall also includes an entrance to the plot and a curved corner at the intersection. The work in the field was ideally interspersed with leisure, with organized tours of the towns of Starigrad, Jelsa, and Hvar, grape harvesting, lectures, and more. The ten-day workshop resulted in an exchange of knowledge and cultural diversity, as well as the forming of friendships. All participants were very happy with their accomplishments and overall experience. Saying goodbye and leaving the idyllic Starigrad summer behind to return to daily life was difficult for everyone. See you next year!