In the serene surroundings of the Krka National Park in Croatia, the workshop ‘Interpretation as an art of listening’ unfolded, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and shared learning experiences. Participants not only delved into the transformative power of active listening but also contributed to a collective narrative that emphasised the reciprocity between interpreters and guests.

What made this workshop distinctive was the active engagement of participants, who embraced the art of listening with openness and a readiness to accept input from their peers. The workshop served as both a learning platform and a space for co-creation, where each voice played a role in shaping a collective understanding.

Central to our discussions was the profound significance of listening in the interpretive process. The workshop emphasised that, “listening is one of the keys to understanding the emotions and ideas behind words”, encouraging interpreters to go beyond mere surface-level interactions.

Bryant McGill’s wisdom, “One of the sincerest forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say”, underscored the workshop’s ethos of shared growth. Interpreters assumed the role of facilitators, inspiring one another to evolve and expand their perspectives through a collaborative journey.

A guiding principle emerged organically from our reflections: “If I am constantly speaking, I won’t learn anything new”. This acknowledgment highlighted the transformative power of creating an environment where listening takes precedence over speaking. In the realm of interpretation, genuine growth occurs when interpreters embrace the roles of facilitators and co-creators, fostering an atmosphere of mutual inspiration and shared learning.

Throughout the workshop, several brief exercises incorporated elements of active listening and the acceptance of input through exchanges and communication. These exercises provided practical experiences that reinforced the importance of these principles in a hands-on context.

The workshop also shed light on the symbiotic relationship between interpreters and guests, emphasising the importance of guests sharing their perspectives. This holistic approach fostered a reciprocal exchange of ideas, showcasing interpretation as a collaborative process, done with participants rather than for them.

As the workshop concluded, participants left with newfound insights into the interpretive process and a heightened awareness of the impact of active listening on meaningful connections and mutual growth. This transformative experience set the stage for a continuous journey of exploration and learning.

This workshop was just one among many throughout the day at the IE National Forum of Interpreters (Croatia) organised by the Croatian country team. While each workshop offered unique insights, ‘Interpretation as an art of listening’ was a testament to the collaborative spirit that permeated the whole National Forum, creating a rich tapestry of shared experiences and diverse perspectives.

Max Dubravko Fijacko is an IE Certified Interpretive Trainer and IE’s Gastronomic Heritage Coordinator. His motto is: You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking. Get in exchange with Max at: dubravko.fijacko@gmail.com.

To cite this article: Fijacko, Dubravko Max (2023) ‘Interpretation as an art of listening‘  in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2023, pg.4.
Available online: https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IE-Newsletter-2023_4-winter.pdf

It starts with values, continues with how we engage others and inspire them, and it might end with “wow” and common growth in facilitated common ground. It’s the magic of interpretation.

When we think about how to be relevant, we should always keep in mind that one rock can say more than a geological map, that it is better to make friends with one tree than to know the names of all of them … And we should always dive into the world of our visitors. So it’s all in the interpretive approach.

At the Europarc conference in May 2022, Katarina Zakelj (CIW) and Max Dubravko Fijačko (CIT) will deliver some intriguing and meaningful activities for this year’s new style of workshops: Mind Factory. This year Europarc wants to give an opportunity: Question your mindset! OK, then we will really question it and give all participants the power and magic at a workshop entitled, The Magical Power of Interpretation: Adding Meaning to Visitors’ Experiences in Protected Areas.

It has long been said:
Through interpretation, understanding;
through understanding, appreciation;
through appreciation, protection.
We also know that understanding is an ‘infinite process’, but therefore the importance of interpretation only gains in meaning.

Join us in Austria in early May if you can! The Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park in Austria will host the biggest gathering of Protected Area professionals: the EUROPARC Conference 2022 (https://www.europarc.org/europarc-conference/). Our workshop will be held on 3 May and we’re looking forward to sprinkling some magic.

Max Dubravko Fijačko is a member of IE’s Tourism Team, is the Gastronomic Heritage Coordinator and an IE Certified Interpretive Trainer. You can get in touch with him at: dubravko.fijacko@interpreteurope.net.

To cite this article: Fijačko, Max Dubravko  (2022) ‘The magical power of interpretation’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 1-2022, pg.20

Available online:https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PDF-Newsletter-2022_1-spring_draft-5.pdf

If you are keen on sharpening your skills in heritage interpretation, experiencing how it works in practice and exchanging ideas with interpreters from all over Europe, come and join the IE Training Days.

This new and fresh bi-annual format for an IE event offers a range of experiential and practical activities. You can count on meeting old and new colleagues, experiencing Catalan culture and being immersed in outstanding Mediterranean nature in an early-autumn getaway.

This five-day event is designed in a modular way. You will be able to book different lengths of stay, from two to five days, between 7 and 11 October. You are free to adapt arrival and departure times to suit your availability and the most convenient transport connections and/or to join parts of the programme that interest you most.

Heritage interpretation and interpretive practice

The Training Days will build on IE’s training programme which, along with workshops, study visits and presentations, aims to empower heritage practitioners to help people connect with heritage through their senses, hearts and minds, to build their acceptance and appreciation of multiple perspectives, to take stewardship over heritage and to enrich each other through rewarding exchanges.

Venue

We will be exploring Terres de l’Ebre (the Ebro Lands), a region in Tarragona Province in the south of Catalonia in Spain. In 2016, UNESCO declared the region a world-class natural and human space, recognising it as a Natural Biosphere Reserve. The natural resources have shaped the lifestyle of the community, becoming a source of subsistence and inspiration that has shaped customs, festivals and a unique cuisine. The wider Tarragona province and Barcelona are also on our list of highlights to visit.

 Programme

The detailed programme is being prepared by the IE team and our local organising partner, El Grup de Natura Freixe and will include study visits, training workshops based on activities in the IE training courses, keynote speakers and social events. The programme – and especially the study visits to heritage sites and natural parks in and around Barcelona, Tarragona and Tortosa, visitor centres and exhibitions – will offer a platform for exchange among those who are interested in designing interpretive experiences. In particular, interpretive planners, interior designers, consultants, curators, nature conservationists and others will benefit from engaging in talks with site managers and/or planners, exchanging experiences and, at the same time, enjoying sightseeing.

Keep an eye on our website for more details on the programme and the opening of registration.

For any enquiries, get in touch with Tea Štifanić, IE Events Coordinator, at: tea.stifanic@interpret-europe.net.

Earlier in the autumn, I visited the Jelacic days held at the renowned Novi Dvori estates in Zapresic, Croatia. While surveying this historical manifestation, the authentic maidservant, Marica, invited me to join a heritage interpretation workshop. At last, I thought, something fun, and an activity that coincidentally resembled a project I was working on. The perfect incentive at the perfect time.

Meeting Marica (played by Ivana Zrilić), more than ever I realised the importance of who and how a story is told – she made every story interesting and personal. That influenced me to explore the role of an interpretive guide, at least for a while. I quickly cooked lunch, handed over the kids to my husband and embraced the Sunday bliss of the enchanting Novi Dvori. Alone and free, curious of what I would learn and experience. Rain started pouring and it got cold so I put on my heavy coat, motivated to continue.

I was thrilled to encounter Ivana, ever enthusiastic and equipped with accessories. What a sight to see strangers showing an interest in the workshop! Driven by positive feedback, guests from Zagreb enjoyed festivities honoring the legendary Ban Josip Jelacic. It was a tremendous achievement for people from the capital to travel to a suburb for cultural events, as opposed to rushing downtown for entertainment. I always emphasised that even if it lacked in numbers, our hearts made up the difference! Zapresic has so much to discover, so much potential to develop.

Finally, the workshop began. The brief introduction and reference to bells reminded me of Hemingway’s For whom the bell tolls. Ivana started displaying countless personal items and asked us to share our associations. Suddenly, I remembered all the tickets, postcards, letters, dedications, messages and other memorabilia from travels, performances and exhibitions I have kept at home… I could also show them and help others evoke their own memories. This workshop truly intended to encourage personal experiences rather than generic stories and, thinking back to my project at work; when examining Proust’s masterpiece, Combray, a novel in which the narrator reminisces about his idyllic childhood while eating honey madeleines with tea, I always ask my students what smell, taste or sound takes them back in time.

For our next assignment I was paired up with an American studying Croatian heritage. We were supposed to find and draw an object near us. My choice was a counter in the forest where a young DJ played music. He picked a wooden detail from the Matija Skurjeni museum. My statement, “Those were the careless days“, is singled out as the central idea – my retrospection painted a time when I was free and on my own, going out and longing for what I have today. My partner, Jeremy’s, sentence was, “I like the details of Croatian architecture“. It is intriguing to see how others often consider us more valuable then we do ourselves. Everybody represents another’s object. There was no self promotion but a position of interpreting someone else’s chosen location and experience. An interpretation of an interpretation.

We listened, talked and laughed. Even though we do not know each other, we shared secrets from our lives. However, everyone added their own, personal signature while interpreting objects others chose. That is something unchangeable. Encouraged, I realise I have so much to tell in my own, unique way. I started writing a project, decided to enroll in a tourist guide course and make sure Ivana includes me in the next heritage interpretation class as soon as possible. See you there!

Branka Tolić is a Croatian language teacher working in Gornjogradska gimnazija, Zagreb, Croatia (www.ggg.hr). Her personal blog created during lockdown this year is: https://www.karantenablog.com/. You can get in touch with her at: branka.tol@gmail.com.

To cite this article:
Tolić, Branka (2020) ‘True stories and real experiences spice up presentation’. In Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2020, 25.

Available online: http://www.interpret-europe.net/fileadmin/Documents/publications/Newsletters/IE_newsletter_2020_4_winter.pdf

A diverse group gathered in the small town of Koprivnica in North Croatia, wanting to learn about interpreting cultural heritage and help organisers get a new insight about their future plans and projects.
FUNK – a community of independent cultural associations in Koprivnica – organised a two-day workshop in September about creative presentation of inheritance with the purpose of creating a new product, like a tour, gamefied exploration or exhibit, to connect the community with interpreting.

The workshop was held by Iva Silla, an Interpret Europe certified trainer who is the author of the tours at Secret Zagreb and coordinator of the Croatian team on Innoguide, a European project for lifelong education of tour guides. The workshop was organised as part of the project, ‘FUNK centre outside of centre’ founded by the EU from European social fund.

I had been interested in doing an interpretation course for a long time. I had completed good tour guiding courses and have a background in marketing but still didn’t take a chance to participate in any interpretation courses. Then Covid-19 forced us to cut our workload so I decided to join this opportunity in the nearby city of Koprivnica.

At first I was surprised about the group coming from all different parts of culture and being very different in age and views. Only later I found out that this was the intention of the organisers. FUNK is a community of different cultural organisations which all reside in a once-busy military complex – now a new space of the city of Koprivnica dedicated to higher education, entrepreneurship, and culture. Among these emptied socialistic, high utility buildings there is a wish to make a new centre – a cultural centre of the city. The organisers wanted to provide education about interpreting to members of their organisations, but also to draw some outsiders who could give fresh ideas and attitudes to their revitalisation of the space. So it proved to be an excellent learning opportunity because we were not just on a course but handling their real situation.

The workshop provided a great exercise in all parts of interpretation. It’s easy to interpret when you have a great sight in front of you, a big historic monument, or story that is interesting and important.
So a hard task was upon us! Right up until the very end I was almost certain that we wouldn’t make it. Just two short days to explain the theory and practical examples of interpretation to us – a group of absolute beginners with the terms of interpretation, and then exercises and discussions on the concrete situation of our organiser. I was sure it would be impossible without a great effort from our trainer. Iva was very precise in her teaching and always had such good practical examples that made everything so clear. I think I can say in the name of all in the group that we were quite surprised how much we learned, how we made realistic projects, and learned from our diverse experiences. We found many interesting stories to tell and share about the history and future of the space and the urban transformation that is happening there. But you will have to visit yourself to find out more. Hopefully in the future the new campus area will be an interesting stop to visit in developing the touristic story of that part of Croatia among providing cultural events for locals.

Vladimir Leninger is a tour leader leading groups in Croatia and Europe and is also trying to provide accommodation in Zagreb with a twist – providing an experience of local culture already in the room. You can reach him at: leninger@gmail.com.

To cite this article: Leninger, Vladimir (2020) ‘Interpreting urban transformation in Koprivnica’. In Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2020, 24.

Available online: http://www.interpret-europe.net/fileadmin/Documents/publications/Newsletters/IE_newsletter_2020_4_winter.pdf

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This is how one family thinks during the time of lockdown. Without running events, there were no visitors and no income. But they didn’t want to accept “closed and cancelled” as an option, so they thought hard and used IT and online social services to bring Father Christmas and St. Nickolas to every home. Father Christmas himself is, of course, immortal and as old as the first child who believed, so the family put their heads together and put the event online.

Father Christmas/St. Nickolas, and two busy elves with their little helper, produced really creative content and broadcast live from Father Christmas’ home. Without too long for planning and preparation, and without access to expensive professional equipment, they made this huge step forward to deliver an online live show. Every evening from 1-19 December at 19.00 (CET) they broadcast live on the Facebook page for Stari zanati. In between shows, they brushed up their tech skills and thought about how Santa’s home could adapt and survive in the middle of a pandemic. They wanted to keep the Christmas spirit alive in every home, because every child (and adult) needs magic in their lives.

During the live programme, Petra and Ervin the elves created magic with storytelling, online workshops, songs, plays, interesting guests and many surprises. They showed some old school games like hopscotch, rope jumping, rubber band jumping, and presented how to make beautiful ornaments and other things to try at home. Lovers of old customs and skills saw how to make horseshoes, clay baked dishes and jugs for souring milk, or how wicker corn baskets were made. In this unusual Hlebine’s Christmas Workshop, various traditional toys were created, such as cars, planes, trains, horses, ducks, knights’ swords, axes and shields. They even baked Christmas cookies. The elves also opened the Father Christmas post office. Every day, busy elves read out letters received from children and asked children to take action and write letters, and to be creative and share their stories on Facebook. The workshop also hosted three masters of Hlebine naive art: Branko Matina, Stjepan Pongrac and Zlatko Kolarek.

Father Christmas was played by Tihomir Želimorski, who attend an IE CIG training course last year, where he realised the importance of bringing heritage to consumers. So, instead of putting everything on hold this year, he become even more creative and brought the beauty of the love, warmth and real Christmas spirit to every home over the internet.

Elizabeta Milanović Glavica is a university specialist in tourism and hospitality management from Koprivnica, Croatia. She works for the Central Podravina Tourist Board (tzp-sredisnja-podravina.hr). She is a member of Interpret Croatia and is an IE Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and is the IE Tourism Coordinator. She can be contacted at: elizabeta.milanovic@interpret-europe.net or elizabeta.milanovic@gmail.com.

To cite this article: Milanović Glavica, Elizabeta (2020) ‘Father Christmas goes online in Hlebine’. In Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2020, 28.

Available online: http://www.interpret-europe.net/fileadmin/Documents/publications/Newsletters/IE_newsletter_2020_4_winter.pdf