HAEMUS | Center for scientific research and promotion of culture

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Heritage Interpretation Training: Natural and Cultural Heritage

Location: Viminacium – Archaeological Park, Research and Tourist Center
Date: March 17–21, 2025
Language: Serbian

Join the next edition of the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training by Interpret Europe, designed to empower participants with transformative skills in heritage interpretation. This hands-on training offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to communicate natural and cultural heritage effectively, fostering deeper connections between people and places while promoting the value of our shared heritage.

Training Overview

• Trainer: Vasilka Dimitrovska
• Language: Serbian
• Duration: 40 hours of in-person training with additional complementary activities (15 hours).
• Designed for: guides and other professionals who present natural and / or cultural heritage. Though no previous experience in interpretation is required, basic experience in guiding is needed.
• Subjects covered: personal interpretation, communication skills, accessibility for all, interpretive critiquing, sustainability, meaning making.
• Certification: Successful participants earn the internationally recognized title of Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) by Interpret Europe.

This 40-hour hands-on course provides a versatile toolkit to turn any heritage phenomenon into an experience and passive audiences into active participants.

Trainees practice how to put strong ideas into words to engage visitors in a meaningful and memorable way. The course offers participants a variety of challenging exercises, building their confidence and creativity to develop, deliver and evaluate great interpretive talks and walks.

Finally, using 20 tried-and-tested benchmark quality criteria, trainees discover innovative ways to interact with the public, providing greater visitor satisfaction.

The course content includes:

• Facilitating first-hand experience with natural and cultural heritage sites and objects
• Dealing with tangible and intangible heritage
• Revealing meanings and relationships of natural and cultural phenomena
• Deriving attractive themes from sites, objects and factual information
• Reacting to the needs and expectations of participants during interpretive activities
• Playing different roles as an interpretive guide
• Using questioning techniques and other communication tools
• Exercising different forms of group formation and the use of props
• Connecting information to the participants‘ world
• Considering the meaning of barriers and interferences in interpretive processes
• Peer coaching and critiquing interpretive activities
• Integrating sustainability aspects and global concerns into interpretive activities.

To be certified as an interpretive guide, trainees must have previous guiding experience and attend the entire course. The certification process itself consists of a written test, the development of an interpretive walk, the delivery of one interpretive talk and a critiquing exercise.

Why Attend?

This course is tailored for guides, heritage professionals, educators, and tourism agents looking to:

• Master the principles and techniques of heritage interpretation.
• Design and deliver guided tours rooted in UNESCO’s value-based approach to interpretation.
• Enhance their ability to communicate heritage stories in a way that inspires, educates, and engages.

The training’s setting in Viminacium, Archaeological Park, Research and Tourist Center offers an immersive environment, perfectly suited to these kind of trainings.

Who Should Attend?

This program is ideal for:

• Museum and heritage site guides.
• Professionals working in visitor centers, protected areas, and local municipalities.
• Tourism agents, educators, students, and anyone passionate about heritage preservation and communication.

The trainings is also useful for all of you who work in:

Key Features:

• Practical, activity-based learning designed to ensure immediate application of skills.
• A European-standard course tested for excellence in heritage interpretation.
• Small group settings (8–14 participants) for personalized instruction and networking.

Training Fees: €450

The registration fee includes:
– Training materials
– Coffee breaks
– In-person training sessions
– Support for completing complementary tasks
– Final certification
– 5 nights full board in the room 1/3 in the Limes Park

Interpret Europe membership: This training offers you the opportunity to obtain European certification as a heritage interpreter from Interpret Europe. All participants are required to be current members of Interpret Europe prior to the training (https://members.interpret-europe.net). The annual membership fee varies by country, and first-time members can receive a 25% discount using the code ‘ENTRY2024’.

Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Regarding Accommodation Options, it is possible to book:

• Double Room (1/2): +€8 per person per day
• Single Room (1/1): +€12. per person per day

Training Fees without accommodation: €250

Vasilka Dimitrovska is a renowned expert in heritage interpretation, with a Master of Science in Archaeology. As the Director of HAEMUS and a certified interpretive trainer recognized by Interpret Europe and UNESCO she has dedicated her career to transforming how we engage with cultural, natural and intangible heritage.

A storyteller and educator, Vasilka has been an associate of the National Geographic Society since 2011 and played a key role in safeguarding the UNESCO-listed “Martinki” Custom. Over the past few years, she has held a steadfast role as the permanent heritage consultant for Pivara Skopje AD (Coca-Cola HBC and Heineken N.V.).

She has published over 25 monographs, books, and manuals, as well as more than 50 scientific papers. With extensive experience organizing international conferences, exhibitions, and educational programs, Vasilka brings a unique blend of knowledge and passion to her training sessions. Her programs, such as “Grandma March Day”, “Young Explorer” and “Storytelling Skopje,” highlight her commitment to making heritage accessible and engaging for all audiences.

Through her hands-on training, Vasilka empowers professionals to master the art of heritage interpretation, enabling them to communicate the value of our cultural and natural treasures effectively. With a legacy of inspiring change and a vision for the future of cultural heritage, Vasilka continues to shape the next generation of heritage interpreters and leaders, leaving a lasting impact on the global community.

How to Register:

Register by March 1, 2025, to secure your spot: 👉 Register Now
For more information contact us at vasilka.dimitrovska@interpret-europe.net
📲 +389 77 432 861 (VIber / Whats App)

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain new skills, connect with like-minded professionals, and make a lasting impact on the way heritage is experienced and valued.

Invoicing address:
Registration is only valid after payment (either the full amount of €450 or a deposit of €200) through:
(a) Bank transfer
(b) E-payment
Please let us know where you are coming from, so we can assist you with the type of payment.

Please email: vasilka.dimitrovska@interpret-europe.net or dimitrovska@haemus.org.mk in the following cases:
(a) To request information on how to register with Interpret Europe.
(b) If unable to pay the full registration fee or deposit, or if an alternative payment method is needed (describe your situation in the email).
(c) If the bank transfer is not made with the participant’s name, please send an email with the transfer reference or a copy of the bank receipt.
(d) For any other questions or concerns about this training.

Register by March 1, 2025, to secure your spot.

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