Promotion of local cultural entrepreneurship - Merkinė manor

About this project

<p>LLC Merkinės muilo fabrikas have leased the Merkinė manor for forty years, intending to renovate and revitalize the area to create a long-term economic and social benefits for the town, local community, the region as well as all other stakeholders.<br> The manor is located in a unique place close to the Merkinė mound, overlooking the Merkys and Nemunas rivers confluence valley. Merkinė is the town with a rich history of being established as one of the main trading and cultural centres during different historical periods does not sufficiently express these features when presenting its current identity. Revitalization of town’s cultural, special and architectural assets is significant for attractive cultural tourism site development.&nbsp;<br> Applying cultural placemaking methodology LLC Merkinės muilo fabrikas, together with partners from Lithuania and Norway, aims to strengthen the provision of cultural services, cultural cooperation, tourism and craft industries in Merkinė and the entire region.<br> Project activities aimed at the development of the area, applying the creative placemaking principles, deepening and popularizing the glorious history of the Merkinė area, as well as the unique cultural sovereignty of the region. Through the duration of the project it is planned to create pilgrims accommodation spaces, as well as form a multi-purpose creative spaces for local artists and artisans in renovated and repurposed culturally important buildings of Merkinė manor. Supporting local artist and small-scale hard craft manufacturers series of business development and support service workshops will be organised and delivered to locals to help them to establish themselves in the area while promoting its cultural identity and creating new jobs.&nbsp;<br> The applicant, together with partners, aims to ensure that the Merkinė manor does not become another fast-moving tourist attraction, but offers a slow, high-quality and deep understanding of the local culture and history.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Mads Skeie is based in Bergen, Norway. The founder of the company, Mads Skeie, an acclaimed sommelier in Bergen, has established a home brewery with local community members, producing cider and other spirits using local traditional methods, while maintaining authenticity, and has extensive experience in organising educational and awareness-raising events. Mads Skeie and his associates were actively involved in promoting entrepreneurship in the Merkinė community, sharing their experience and providing training.

Project partners

• Mads Skeie Donor project partner· Norway
• Varėna district municipality administration Project partner· Lithuania
• Merkinė town community Project partner· Lithuania
• JSC "Media bitės" Project partner· Lithuania
• JSC Farmers Circle Project partner· Lithuania
• PI "Kino pasaka" Project partner· Lithuania
• PI "Verpėjos" Project partner· Lithuania