The Hugo Kabeya Artist Residency
In late May, the artist residency of Congolese artist Hugo Kanyingu Kabeya brought a new dialogue between the mining heritages of Idrija and Congo to Hiša Giser.
During his stay in Idrija, he created two works in which he intertwines cinnabar ore with the characteristic cobalt blue of Congo. His inspiration was drawn from encounters with locals, visits to the mine, and an exploration of local identity.
Tales from International Volunteers
In 2021 and 2022, we hosted young international volunteers from various European countries as part of the European Solidarity Corps.
They shared stories of their volunteering experiences, and many of them delved deep into the narratives of Idrija, connecting them with stories from their own home environments. Through this exchange, we discovered a wealth of fascinating examples of miners’ houses and settlements from across Europe and explored the unique advantages of rural life.
Video Highlights from Volunteering Projects
In this series of short videos, you can see how international volunteers helped bring Hiša Giser back to life during 2021 and 2022—from restoring stairs, walls, and furniture to landscaping, planting indigenous flora, and renovating the traditional lusthaus (garden pavilion).
During the hot summer days, young people from all over Europe combined hard work and creativity with an exploration of Idrija’s mining heritage, contributing their enthusiasm to give the house a new heartbeat.