3rd International Conference

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLACE

BH CICOP

VANISHING TREASURES OF KOSOVO AND METOHIA

Olivera Lekic, Phd candidate

University of Novi Sad
Faculty of Technical Science

aims of research
Point out the problems cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija faces
after war conflicts;
A critical survey of previous measures taken for the conservation and
maintenance of monuments of Serbian culture in Kosovo and Metohija;
Analyzing the context in which the unrecognized state of Kosovo and
its institutions are trying to take jurisdiction over the cultural
monuments Serbia-Byzantine origin;
Identification of possible practical measures that would help the
management of heritage, to its protection and conservation in conflict
and post-war periods in Kosovo and Metohija.

introduction
Cultural heritage is representing a unique and irreplaceable
cultural value of one nation.
Man made hazard, such as war conflict have huge catastrophic
consequences for human society, to its culture, beliefs, values,
public and private life, built living space, as well as its future,
which includes material and intangible heritage.
Kosovo and Metohija has been characterized with violent and
dynamic history.
Serbian-Albanian conflict and NATO bombing
Destructions in the post-war period

March 17th 2004

 Non-effective cultural policy of the state

Improper handling of the cultural heritage
Bad management policies of cultural heritage
Lack of preservation
Albanization or Kosovarization - the aspiration of the Albanian people
to make, whether linguistic or cultural assimilation of non-Albanian
population and cultural assets to the Albanian language and Albanian
culture.
Endangerment of basic human rights
There is no national management plan for the protection of cultural
heritage in emergency situations such as war conflicts.

 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed

Conflict (Hague convention) -1954
UN Security Council Resolution 1244 1999
Joint document of Yugoslavia and UNMIK
European Convention on the conservation of architectural heritage
1985
The Law on Protection of Cultural Monuments adopted for Kosovo and
Metohija 1977
The Vancouver Declaration On Human Settlements-1976

Visoki Deani monastery, 13th

century

Churc of Our Lady of Ljevi, 14th

century

Patriarchate of Pe, 12th

century

Graanica monastery, 13th

century

final consideration
Consistent application of international conventions and standards in
the field of cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija;
Protection of the rights of every individual and those who are
responsible for the preservation of their own heritage;
Applying the principles of integrated conservation and sustainable
development of heritage;
Involvement of international expert teams;
Condemning incidents affecting and endangering the safety of the
cultural heritage sites, and appropriate measures to punish the
perpetrator of the incident;

 Taking certain field activities with the aim of providing security to vulnerable
communities and sites of cultural heritage;
Facilitating the functioning of a sustainable management model for
monasteries, which themselves represent a sustainable system whose
functioning threatened the violation of international minority rights in Kosovo
and Metohija;
Highlighting the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to
heritage and diversity;
Educate about the importance of cultural heritage and its diversity in a
ethnic diverse environment, in order to raise awareness of its importance;
Encourage the establishment of national conservation strategies and
management of architectural heritage in the areas affected by war conflicts.
The Republic of Serbia should be responsible for preservation of spiritual and
cultural heritage of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, which would be a major
step in helping the sustainability of this vanishing treasures.

Maintaining one's culture, values and traditions is

beyond price.
Getano Lui