The International Day for Monuments and Sites was celebrated today at the National Museum of Kosovo. The holiday was marked in Prishtina with a full-day of activities, in line with this year’s theme “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism.”

The organizers invited students from “Hilmi Rakovica” elementary school and nursing home residents to participate at the workshop on mosaic art setup inside the Kosovo Museum. The event aimed to promote the cultural and practical values of mosaic work, and bridge the gap between the two generations.

Taking inspiration from the mosaic fragments dating back to the 4th – 6th century BC on display at the museum, the children were invited to create their own pieces. The workshop was led by the Albanian mosaic artist Saimir Strati, who taught students the ancient method.

“We think museums should become a social and history lab, where children can experience visually our and other people’s histories and stories,” explained museum director Skender Boshtrakaj.

Connecting two different generations, the workshop is supposed to create a space for interaction with children.

“We are trying to bridge the gap,” he added.

Workshop participants also met with mosaic artist Saimir Strati.

“The industry today is trying to eliminate this practical work [mosaics], and handcrafts are dying out. Technology and handcrafts should co-exist, and it is important for the younger generations to have the opportunity to be taught and preserve the craft, either professionally or as a hobby,” said Strati.

The artist will officially be presented with his 10th Guinness World Record this evening for his 10-square-metre portrait of Mother Teresa, made out of 1.5 million staples. Boshtrakaj explained that the story behind the portrait is meant to symbolize tolerance and unity, and will remain at the museum.

“The refugee influx that was seen in Europe, and how different European nations reacted by building their fences, closing their borders, thinking of only themselves… Strati imagined that if Mother Teresa was alive, she would have spoken out against it,” concluded Boshtrakaj.