OSCE brings young architects and anthropology students to Letnicë/Letnica to help preserve its past
From 18–22 August, 11 university students of architecture, anthropology and cultural heritage, geography and related fields took part in a five-day youth camp in the picturesque village of Letnicë/Letnica, organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo in cooperation with the Regional Centre for Cultural Heritage in Gjilan/Gnjilane.
The camp focused on documenting cultural heritage, from understanding historical, social, and aesthetic values, to using modern tools like photogrammetry, and traditional sketching techniques. Guided by experts, the camp gave students hands-on experience in surveying homes, the Catholic Church of the Assumption of Letnica and gathering stories from the community's, all while learning how to preserve Kosovo’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Since 2018, OSCE youth camps have brought together young people from diverse backgrounds to safeguard shared heritage across Kosovo.
Architect Kaltrinë Ymeri from the Regional Centre for Cultural Heritage in Gjilan/Gnjilane discusses tools and techniques used in heritage documentation. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Students examine the layout of Letnicë/Letnica village before beginning their fieldwork. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Arrival at the Church of the Assumption of Letnica as students prepare for the next phase of their project. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Don Lush Gjergji shares insights with students about the historical significance of the church. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
The Church of the Assumption of Letnica stands above the village, a defining feature of the Letnicë/Letnica landscape. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Students visit the church, home to the revered statue of the "Blessed Lady" or the Lady of Letnica, which is over 400 years old. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Cultural Heritage Expert Marsela Plyku Demaj organizes students into teams, assigning them specific roles and locations for their research. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
A participant captures architectural details of a village home through photography as part of the documentation process. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Students gather local historical knowledge by interviewing residents and collecting archival materials from the community. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Two students closely observe and document a traditional village house, contributing to the preservation of vernacular architecture. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).
Participants posing at the end of a field-work day together with cultural heritage experts and OSCE Mission members. 19 August 2025 (OSCE/Leurina Mehmeti).