PROMETHEVS
Promoting Universal Values through Digital Epigraphy and Cultural Heritage
Bridging the Gap: How HAEMUS is Bringing Ancient Inscriptions to Life with the Prometheus Project
At HAEMUS, our mission has always been to move beyond the mere sharing of facts; we design stories that resonate and create immersive encounters that bring heritage to life. Recently, we have been proud to bring this philosophy to an ambitious international stage through our involvement in the Prometheus Project.
What is the Prometheus Project?
Funded by the Creative Europe Programme, the project—formally titled PROMETHEUS: Promoting Universal Values through Digital Epigraphy and Cultural Heritage—is a collaborative effort between five leading academic and research institutions from Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Coordinated by the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, the partnership includes the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Belgrade, the Institute for Balkan Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, and Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje—all prominent academic and research institutions across the region.
The core goal of Prometheus is to digitize and reinterpret ancient inscriptions across the region to build an open-access epigraphic corpus. However, the project goes far beyond technology; it represents a shift in the academic world toward meaningful public engagement, reimagining silent stone-carved words as stories worth telling.
Vasilka Dimitrovska’s Key Role
Vasilka Dimitrovska, the founder of HAEMUS (and Kreaktiva – The Storytelling and Experience Design Studio), has played a multi-faceted role in this Creative Europe initiative from 2024–2025. Her involvement has been instrumental in bridging the gap between rigorous ancient science and everyday visitors.
Vasilka has contributed to the project as:
- Lecturer and Conference Participant: Sharing expertise on how heritage interpretation can transform research into public experiences.
- Interpretive Newsletter Author: Helping to communicate the project’s progress and values through engaging writing.
- Heritage Gamified-Quest Creator: Designing innovative ways for audiences to interact with epigraphy.
A standout moment of our involvement was when Vasilka designed a tailor-made gamified experience in Skopje for participants of the second Prometheus workshop. This experience allowed scholars to see their research through a new lens, dissolving the wall between scientific knowledge and emotional engagement.
Turning Heritage into High-Impact Experiences
The Prometheus Project is a testament to the power of heritage interpretation as a bridge. For years, there has been a significant gap between academic research and public understanding. By embracing storytelling, digital tools, and inclusive methodologies, Prometheus ensures that ancient science can stir the imagination of schoolchildren, tourists, and gamers alike.
At HAEMUS, we are honored to help academic institutions step “outside the ivory tower” to connect with people where they are. Prometheus is not just about preserving the past—it is about giving it a voice that speaks to everyone.
