The codename "HERITAGE"

Globalization has created the potential for disseminating the culture worldwide as well as the potential for destroying it.

Lo Toshkach (‘do not forget’) education projects in Ukraine are now into their third year and are made possible through the generous support of the Genesis Philanthropy Group.

Heritage sites provide an opportunity for the mobilisation of young people to care for our common heritage, offer a valuable insight into the culture and are a poignant reminder of the communities that inhabited thousands of European towns and villages before the World War II.

Our crazy group near the castle

The demon cartographer

So, the group of young people from all over the World (but from big Ukrainian centers too :) of course) start social project for protection of our heritage in the Carpathian Mountain region near the Romanian and Slovak borders in western Ukraine. Our base was in Uzhgorod. There we heard lectures on the history of life in the region. 

The study

Practical programmes on surveying and protecting burial sites were given by Ekatarina Malakhova of the Centre for Education in Ukraine. Lactures about epigraphy were given by prof. Artem Fedprchuk. But there were not book’ work only! We had wonderful practice on the cemeteries.

Chop former mayor gives us an interview

At first we had to find the old cemetery. It could be in some far fields or woods… But we had great help from local inhabitants. We’ve taken interviews and then we were decoding it during the nights. 

Half-blind grandfather speaks Hungarian

When we finally found the aria the work had started. Our group had to write about each headstone, the fence around or lack of it. We made maps and measurements. Then we examined memorials and took pictures of those. We also wrote reports in order to estimate the efforts to renovate it. Some times we had 12/13 objects per day. Its really difficult!

Patskanevo. Rain. The bus fell into a rut

The BEST dinner in my life =)

The climate was exhausting: there was very hot during some days and very cold (with horrible rains and marsh everywhere!!!) during another. Our dinners were in fields on the grass. But those sandwiches were the tastiest in my life! And its true. 

Our daywork

I like to move it, move it!

Our Saturday was spent in Uzhgorod castle. That was just one day of rest. But what a DAY! We walked through the city, the bridge of lovers, the museums ...

In the evening we made a pick nick near our hotel. We were singing and telling interesting stories till night and even longer. But for the next day the graph was the same.

The day-off

Collective memories of the past shape the future. We have a duty to meaningfully transmit to younger generations the lessons of the History and emphasise the values that are needed for responsible citizenship. And I’m glad, that I can help to save the part of great world for my future children.

Just look at my shoes! They are comfortable and nifty