JUBILEE - 60 YEARS OF FORMATION OF NI CONSERVATION CENTRE SKOPJE

This year, NI Conservation Centre – Skopje marks its jubilee of 60 years since its founding, thus completing a long-standing cycle of six decades of fruitful work in the field of cultural heritage protection. On this occasion, we remember the beginnings as well as all those who have been part of this significant institution. Although it is a national institution with a relatively small number of employed expert staff responsible for cultural monuments on the territory of the city of Skopje, it can be said that Conservation Centre Skopje under its jurisdiction has some of the most valuable monuments not only in the city and the country, but also more broadly in the region. The dedication and responsibility for these exceptional works are the foundation upon which the complex system is built, consisting of individuals and teams, each maximally dedicated to the targeted goal. In that sense, we wish to pay sincere tribute to all previous generations of conservators and restorers, especially to the founders who laid the foundations upon which a complex structure of different profiles has been built for decades, within this exceptionally significant activity. This year, 2023, as an institution we oriented towards achieving professional cooperation with related institutions from the region, as an example being the recently signed memorandum of cooperation with the Cantonal Institute for Protection of Monuments from Sarajevo. Preparations are underway for establishing professional cooperation in training expert staff with the University of Western Attica from Athens, Greece, as well as initiatives for mutual professional cooperation with the Republic Institute for Protection of Monuments from Belgrade and established professional contacts with the Institute for Spatial Planning, also from Belgrade, Republic of Serbia. This year, as an additional opportunity, besides the financial support of program activities provided by the Ministry of Culture, is the professional development of deficit staff in the field of culture and protection, enabling expert staff professional training where they can get acquainted with the most modern methods in the field of conservation and apply them here. This opportunity was used by our colleagues, who this year successfully completed courses on the use of non-destructive so-called nanomaterials in the field of cultural heritage conservation, with the aim of presenting and applying them here as well. Our expert staff additionally strive to establish professional links with referent world-recognized experts in this field, who would also contribute to creating a new, modern approach in the field of cultural heritage conservation. Within these activities is the current expert mission relating to professional training of expert staff in the field of wall painting conservation by expert staff from Sorbonne, Republic of France, as part of the European TAIEX program. Within the jubilee, i.e., the year in which it marks the jubilee, the "St. Salvation" complex where Conservation Centre – Skopje is housed, has been worthily and dignifiedly presented thanks to friends and admirers of cultural heritage who selflessly committed to enabling the renewal of the complete illumination of the church, the porches, the bell tower and the square in front of the complex. Within these activities, and with the aim of revitalizing this exceptional space in the Old Town, measures were taken for cleaning the marble sarcophagus of Goce Delchev, as well as ongoing maintenance of the majority of the atrium space and porches. We can say with satisfaction that from now on, the numerous visitors will be able to experience the values of this complex in the most authentic way. Conservation Centre - Skopje thanks all its employees who daily, selflessly work on program and extra-program activities trying to cope with problems and challenges in the most appropriate way, thereby giving their personal contribution to the protection of cultural heritage. Gratitude also extends to all long-standing collaborators who also contribute with their expertise, knowledge and experience in specific project activities. After 60 years, the world has dramatically changed, but still, we can be proud of everything we have jointly achieved in the past years. The obligation remains, as a professional institution, to constantly find ways to explain and present to everyone, especially to the youngest, the significance of cultural heritage, and their understanding and support will represent yet another incentive and motivation in fulfilling our noble mission.