The work of the Mioritics Association focuses on the development and the promotion of active cultural tourism as a means of regional development in Romania. The Association already has led several projects targeted at the further development of heritage-rich areas as well as highlighting or restating the value of lesser-known tourist attractions. These activities have often been carried out in co-operation with national and international partners: The European Institute for Cultural Routes, The German World Heritage Foundation, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (BRESCE), National Commission for UNESCO Romania and individual experts.

Tasks and activities

• Development and implementation of a Virtual Tour(ist) Guide in Sighisoara (pilot action 2) ;
• Development of a Virtual Tour(ist) Guide Implementation Plan;
• Identification of local and regional stakeholders;
• Development of Good Practice Guidelines for ICT application in World Heritage sites;
• Production and distribution of promotional and documentation material;

Local / regional Context

In the HERITAGE ALIVE! project the work of the Mioritics Association concentrates on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Historic Centre of Sighişoara and the seven villages with fortified Saxon churches.

Until the fall of communism in 1989, the Saxons were the majority population in the area, however, most returned to Germany in the early 1990s. For example, in the World Heritage village of Viscri of 450 inhabitants there are today only 25 Saxons of previously 350. State-owned farms, which provided most local employment, have collapsed and there is high unemployment in the area. The lack of infrastructure and services encourages the continued emigration of the young and more able to the larger cities of the country.

It is understood that Transylvania’s natural and built heritage represent the best economic future for its inhabitants based on opportunities such as cultural and eco-tourism and organic agriculture. However, the region not only needs considerable investment to better the economic and social conditions, but also a re-instilled sense of belonging of the population.

Contact

Mihai Dragomir
Tel.: +40788-301830 / +4021-2600113
mihai@dordeduca.ro
www.mioritics.ro