At ID20 Institute, we traditionally associate summer with international volunteer activities, organized in Idrija to preserve architectural heritage and engage young people. At the heart of these activities, for the third consecutive year, will be the Giser Miners' House on Ulica Zmage, which we are gradually restoring through various interventions as one of the last authentically preserved examples of Idrija's miners’ houses. What awaits us this year? Read on to find out!
Working within and with the community
That Idrija is an interesting environment for young people from different countries has been convincingly demonstrated in previous years through numerous successful volunteer projects. The combination of rich heritage, untouched nature, and engaged organizations creates an environment that attracts many young people eager for new experiences and connections to our region. The European Solidarity Corps program facilitates the integration of all these elements into a cohesive whole by facilitating the connection between young volunteers and organizations. This enables the implementation of projects that offer young people unforgettable experiences while also allowing them to leave a significant mark on the local community through their work.
Therefore, just like last year, in collaboration with the Youth Center Idrija, we have decided to prepare a joint international volunteer project that will connect a group of 20 young people in activities for the benefit of the local community. From August 16th until the beginning of September, we will be operating in two locations – one group, led by the Youth Center, will collaborate with the Local Community of Idrija to repair the deteriorating fences of the bridge over the Idrijca River near the Elementary School, while the other group will work with members of the ID20 Institute to introduce various innovations around the Giser Miners’ House.
Preservation and enhancement of heritage
The group responsible for work at the Giser Miners’ House will focus on getting to know, preserving, and enhancing this fascinating structure with a two-hundred-year tradition. After an introductory familiarization with the new environment and basic preparation of the workspace, the entire first working week, from August 21st to 25th, will be dedicated to the careful restoration of the representative wooden entrance doors, which have been welcoming residents and visitors to one of the last authentically preserved miners’ houses in Idrija for well over a century. For this purpose, we have partnered with experienced carpenter and restorer Matija Hiršenfelder from Škofja Loka, who gladly accepted our invitation to mentor the group of young volunteers. The intricately decorated entrance doors will shine in a new light, and the young volunteers will hone their skills in handling old wooden items with care.
In the second week of work, our team will focus on assembling a new kitchen in the Giser House. Following the plumbing and sewage system installation in June, this will undoubtedly be a significant addition as it will facilitate the execution of numerous events and also enable the realization of the gastronomic-theatrical experience of miners’ Idrija, which we are preparing for 2024. We will regularly report on all activities between August 17th and September 4th on our social media channels, in newsletters, and on the main website of the miners’ houses.
You can follow us on the following platforms:
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/idrija2020/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/id20_institute/
- Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@id20
- Newsletter - https://www.id20.si/novicnik/
- Miners’ houses website - https://www.rudarske-hise.si/
We carry out activities with the support of the European Solidarity Corps, the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorizia 2025, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia.
