The European State Studs are a first class cultural heritage, which needs protection and stewardship“, agreed the participants of the symposium which took place as part of the “Days of European Stud Culture”. From October 12th to 14th the European State Studs Association (ESSA) had invited to the Slovenian National Stud of Lipica, in order to bring experts from the field of culture and the equestrian world together and to raise awareness for the cultural significance of the European State studs.
High level representatives of different European Ministries of Culture, universities, museums and international Institutions had come to Lipica, first of all Dr. Gustavo Araoz, President of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and his colleague Dr. Ángela Rojas. Dr. Boštjan Žekš, Slovenian Minister of Culture and patron of the event opened the symposium.
The cultural aspects of the European state studs were illustrated and discussed in a wide range of presentations. The thematic aspects reached from historic stud premises with their associated cultural landscapes, collections and archives to traditions, knowledge, the culture of classical riding and carriage driving to the heritage “horse”. Different horse breeds were in the focus of attention. First of all the native Lippizaner horses, which are regarded as a National Heritage of Slovenia, as well as Altkladruber horses which enjoy the same status at their country of origin, the Czech Republic. Dr. Stefan Rieder, director of the Swiss National Stud Avenches gave an introduction to questions of ethics surrounding the breeding and keeping of horses. Dr. Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck, director of the German State Stud Marbach, moderated the programme and the concluding panel discussion.
A guided stud tour with performance of the Lipica Classical Riding School and a visit to the recently opened museum “Lipikum“completed the Days of European Stud Culture.