The Giser House has come to life with the help of international volunteers
International volunteers from 10 European countries have once again proven that time really flies, especially when working fervently and in good company. The work of the diligent hands of volunteers, who have been providing solidarity assistance to the community in two locations in Idrija over the past two weeks, is coming to an end. You are invited to come and see their achievements!
Through the restored doors to visit the Giser house
Seven volunteers from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Lithuania, and Poland focused on working at the Idrija miners’ house Giser during the three-week action. Just like in previous years, this year’s volunteers diligently took on the task. Under the mentorship of restorer Matija Hiršenfelder, they restored the entrance door of the Giser House on Ulica zmage (street) during the first week.
To ensure that the work was done with quality, we spent 3 days in Škofja Loka at a restoration workshop. Matija introduced volunteers to various tools and techniques necessary for handling heritage elements. Volunteers meticulously sanded, painted wood and metal, puttied, patinated, and restored even the smallest details on a door over a hundred years old. They approached the restoration of wooden, metal, and glass parts in multiple steps. They restored and added missing wooden parts, removed rust from metal elements, cleaned and polished the door opening mechanism once again.
While the paint was drying, we also found some time to explore medieval Škofja Loka. The volunteers were particularly thrilled with the visit to the Crafts Center DUO Škofja Loka, where they got acquainted with the works of local craftsmen and sought similarities and differences in heritage between Škofja Loka and Idrija. After tired from work, they took a stroll through the green hinterland of the town for a relaxing swim in Poljanska Sora river.
Esti – Lithuania
Feel like this experience, although it lasted only three weeks, has given me a deeper understanding of who I am as a person, while also teaching me skills that I wouldn’t have acquired on my own at this moment in my life if it weren’t for this wonderful opportunity.
The interior of the house with a new look as well
In the second week, we moved activities indoors. Initially, volunteers cleaned the entrance hall and kitchen, protected the floors, and repainted them. In the renovated spaces, they continued assembling and installing the new kitchen. Quite a bit of effort was invested, and it was once again evident that following pre-prepared plans isn’t as easy as it initially seemed. With the basic infrastructure in place, the Giser House is now truly ready for the upcoming activities! You can see the new features of the Giser House for the first time this Saturday, September 2nd, at the concluding event of the volunteer action.
Hardik – Portugal
This project has given me the opportunity to work on a completely different set of skills, allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, accomplish some meaningful work that will positively impact the community, and last but not least, through the project, I have met many incredible people.
Restored heritage and international solidarity.
The action didn’t just take place at the Giser House but also in the center of Idrija. The remaining participants from the group of 20 volunteers, under the auspices of the Youth Center Idrija, sanded and repainted the fence on the bridge near the elementary school, refreshing the entire appearance of the bridge. The work of the volunteer team was supported by the local community of the city of Idrija and numerous passersby, who during the hot days assisted the volunteers with ice cream or encouraging words.
Nerea – Spain
The food, the people, the places we’ve been… THIS EXPERIENCE HAS EXCEEDED ALL MY EXPECTATIONS. Three weeks weren’t enough to truly enjoy this green, wonderful place.
The concluding event of the volunteer action.
If you have already met the volunteers or are interested in their work, reserve next Saturday, September 2nd, for the concluding event of the volunteer action project ‘Respect the past – build bridges of the future.‘ The event will take place in a relaxed atmosphere. We will open the works at the Giser House on Ulica zmage (street) 12 together at 6:00 PM, then move to the bridge near the elementary school in Idrija at 6:30 PM, and finally, from 7:00 PM onwards, we will all gather at ‘pr’ Golitu’.
Join us and celebrate together our efforts in preserving heritage and the spirit of solidarity among all participants. We look forward to your company!
For more information and details about the event, please visit: https://fb.me/e/SJrhijL3
We carry out activities with the support of the European Solidarity Corps, the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorica 2025, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia.
