Partner presentation 2

Irina Ban, Interpret Europe

  • 29 May 2025 (Day 2)
  • 15:15 – 15:30
  • Zagreb City Museum
  • Facilitator: Irena Ruzhin, NI Institute and Museum Bitola

The session will introduce the European Association for Heritage interpretation – Interpret Europe,  with an overview of its value-based methodology and certified trainings focused on creating public understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural heritage. Session will also present a recent initiative – Learning landscapes project with UNESCO and give an insight into IE partnerships & outreach possibilities. 

Irina Ban

Visitor friendly, Croatia

Irina Ban is a professor of philosophy and comparative literature, a heritage gastronomy consultant, and the national coordinator of Interpret Europe Croatia. As a communications professional with extensive experience in public relations within cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, and heritage gastronomy, she fell in love with heritage interpretation as a tool and channel for preserving, transmitting, and generously sharing the skills, knowledge, and stories that shape our identity and values.

Facilitator: Irena Ruzhin

NI Institute and Museum Bitola

Dr. Irena Ruzin has been employed at the National Institution Institute and Museum Bitola for over 30 years. Her professional work primarily focuses on managing international and national projects, museum marketing, and cultural heritage education.
She is an active Steering Board member of the Balkan Museum Network, the Macedonian representative in the Balkan Museum Access Group, and a member of several international organizations, including ICOM, NEMO LEM, MAAA- Macedonian American Alumni associationand Think BETA. Dr. Ruzin is actively involved in numerous EU-funded projects related to cultural heritage, cultural tourism, and tourism development strategies.
With expertise gained through international training programs, specializations, and study visits, she continuously shares her knowledge with colleagues across the Balkans. She has participated in numerous international conferences and symposiums, earning certifications in various museum-related topics.
In recent years, Dr. Ruzin has initiated and implemented accessibility and inclusion projects in museums and cultural heritage sites across the Balkans.
She is proud to have received prestigious awards, including “Best Project 2023” and “Best Museum Professional 2022”, presented by the Macedonian ICOM.

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