Heritage for children through storytelling

Thursday 20 October 2022, 18:00 CEST

Children are the decision-makers of the future. Can interpretive programmes develop in children a sense of responsibility towards the use of the natural environment and a respect for cultural and historical heritage? I believe you will agree with me that it can. But how? We are often amazed by children’s awareness and perception of natural things when they are young. They ask the simplest yet the most penetrating questions. Somehow this ability vanishes as we grow older. We stop touching things, exploring and inquiring, and many recognise the need later in life to regain these skills. How can heritage sites meet children’s needs? How can we allow ourselves to connect with the world around us in the way children do and prepare programmes that also keep in mind the important consideration of our common future?

Ivana Zrilić holds a Master of Science in Economics. She is a licensed guide for the city of Zagreb, Lika-Senj, Karlovac and Zadar County and speaks Croatian, Italian, English and Spanish. As a certified interpretive guide and certified interpretive trainer, she has organised and carried out twelve CIG courses in the last 2 years. She also has a record of seven years of teaching and mentoring in lifelong learning at Private Universities in Zagreb and Karlovac, where she can use her 20-year experience as a travel manager to help future tourist guides. She enjoys interpreting heritage and loves telling stories to children and adults to awaken their curiosity.