ALDA International Summer School

First World War on the Macedonian Front: Remembrance through the cultural heritage

For this Summer school we propose a multidisciplinary ap- proach on the subject of the First World War on the Macedo- nian front. The speakers on the Summer school will be vari- ous international experts and researchers who will contribute with different perspectives on this complex conflict. We offer a unique interdisciplinary, interactive experience with on the field visits of the remains of the Macedonian Front in the Re- public of Macedonia. This summer school is a result of several years’ work in Bitola region on First World War in the frame- work of the cooperation Normandy – Macedonia.

ALDA’s International Summer School on “Remembrance through the cultural heritage of the First World War on the Macedonian Front” provides a unique opportunity to visit and research untouched cultural heritage from the First World War on the Fronts where several armies from the Entente and the Central Powers were stationed.

Program Lectures on the First World War: social history, archeology, cultural heritage, ethnology, culture On the field visit of the tranches from the First World War in Novaci, Dojran and Prespa Visit of Bitola Museum, French cemeteries, Ar- chives of Bitola Location: Bitola (Republic of Macedonia) Meetings with decision-makers and local popula- tion and discussions on heritage from WW1 Dates: 25.06.2016 – 30.06.2016 Cultural program: films, photos and videos as cultural heritage from First World War Participants: Open to students on history, Interactive workshops and discussions on the archeology, ethnology or other related fields, civil society representatives or activists on remembrance topic of war and remembrance questions, history enthusiasts (age: 18 to 30) Optional: One-day visit in Ohrid

Language: English The program is led by professionals, professors and prac- titioners in the field of history, archeology, ethnology, cul- Deadline for application: 25 May 2016 tural heritage and art.

Application If you are interested to apply for ALDA Summer school please contact ALDA Skopje office at: [email protected] Proposed topics Historical A review of the social history aspect of the First World War on context the Macedonian front The Macedonian Front is also known as “the forgotten Relations between the soldiers and the locals Front”, it is true that History celebrates the triumphs and Local heroes losses of the Western Front, while the Macedonian Front also known as the Salonika Front, Front d’Orient or the Testimonials Southern Front has been disregarded. Nonetheless, all the belligerent armies were stationed and battled at one point thousands of soldiers perished on the Macedonian Cultural heritage of the First World War in the Republic of Macedonia Front, often because of the terrible conditions due to Guided visits on the terrain of the remains of First World War in the sicknesses and famine. Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia (which encompasses the current territory of the Republic of Republic of Macedonia Macedonia) and Albania were at the heart of the Mace- Remembrance through cultural heritage donian Front. The losses on the Macedonian Front of the Photography First World War were heavily neglected throughout his- tory, even though, nearly one million soldiers of ten differ- ent armies fought and died there between autumn 1915 Contemporary aspect of First World War and September 1918. The Commemoration of Centenary of the First World War is an opportunity to remember European reconciliation through collective remembrance and shared history and contextualize this forgotten Front. Testimonials of solidarity during war times The remains from the First World War in the Republic of Storytelling contemporary perspective of the First World War Macedonia is an invaluable terrain for research in social, military and cultural history, ethnology and archeology. This school is an opportunity for pioneer work on the subject of First World War in the Republic of Macedonia Costs for it has been scarcely researched as is the case for the whole history of the Macedonian Front. The battle of Mo- The inscription fees are 350 EUR per participant. This fee covers 5 nights’ accom- nastir (now Bitola) is one of the crucial battles where the modation in Bitola, 3 meals per day, local transport in Bitola and surroundings Allied forces won. As a result of that battle the city was almost completely destroyed. One hundred years later and working materials. Participation fees for participants from Macedonia and the cultural heritage of that period (cemeteries, war con- from Balkan Region countries is 250 EUR. The transport should be covered by structions, trenches) is a silent witness of the struggles and victories of soldiers and locals. the participants. This Summer school is supported by the Cooperation Normandy – Macedonia In September 1918, the Allied troops led by French Gen- (www.bn-mk.org). eral Franchet d’Esperey overthrew the enemy forces and conquered the current territory of the Republic of Mace- donia. Indeed, the great battle that took place near Bi- tola (formerly Monastir) is considered as a crucial event Location which led to the eventual defeat of the Central Powers. The program takes place in the Republic of Macedonia: Bitola, Pelister mountain, The current territory of the Republic of Macedonia was Novaci and Prespa. The participants will be accommodated in a hotel in Bitola. the battle scene between the Austro-Hungarian armies, German, Bulgarian and Turkish, on the one hand and the Bitola, especially during summer period, offers great possibilities for sigh-seeing, French armies, English, Greek, and Serbian on the other. touristic discovering, cultural events etc. Thus, the current territory of the Republic of Macedonia was one of the most affected territories in the action of the Macedonian Front. The cities: Bitola, Dojran, Gevgeli- ja, Kukush, Ohrid, Prilep, Krushevo were almost complete- ly destroyed during the War. In Novaci, the trenches and Application remains of the Allied as well as the Central Powers front’s If you are interested to apply for ALDA Summer positions are still visible and can be visited on the field. school please contact ALDA Skopje office at: [email protected]