Training School on digital identity, novel chemical markers, and tracking systems to counteract illicit trafficking of artworks
The AURORA Training School is scheduled for October 21-24, 2025, in Sarajevo (exact venue to be announced). This four-day program is designed for Early-Stage Researchers—including postgraduates, PhD candidates, and young post-doctoral scholars—from both within and outside the AURORA project. The school aims to provide specialized training in conservation science, information and communication technology (ICT), and related disciplines, with a particular emphasis on green chemistry, materials science, and advanced digital solutions for cultural heritage preservation.
Participants will engage in a combination of lectures and hands-on sessions, exploring innovative methods to assign unique digital identities to artifacts, track the movement of artworks, and counteract illicit trafficking. The curriculum also delves into the application of chemical markers and blockchain technology to verify provenance and prevent counterfeiting.
Organized by CSGI and BeW, the AURORA Training School seeks to equip young researchers with practical skills and knowledge essential for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage. Further details, including the specific venue, will be announced in due course.
21-24 October 2025
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Speakers
AGENDA
| TIME (CET) |
Chemical marker |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Arrival and registrations |
| 14:00 – 14:40 | Welcome to AURORA School and project presentation Domenico Romano (AVVALE) + BEWARRANT |
| 14:40 – 15:40 | Participants presentation |
| 15:40 – 15:55 | Time-Break |
| 15:55 – 16:50 | Lecture “Chemical marker based on photoluminescent pigments” Daniela Iacopino (Tyndall Institute-University College of Cork), Rodorico Giorgi (CSGI) |
| 16:50 – 17:15 | Lecture “Interdisciplinary by nature: conservators in cultural heritage science” Antonio Mirabile |
| 17:15 – 18:30 | Workshop on the AURORA chemical marker “Application of photoluminescent inks on cultural heritage items” Rodorico Giorgi, Themis Krasoudaki, Andrea Louise Matulac, Francesca Battaglia (CSGI), Daniela Iacopino, Martina Piletti (Tyndall Institute-University College of Cork), Antonio Mirabile (AM) |
| 20:00 | Welcome dinner |
| Closing of the first day | |
| TIME (CET) |
Artwork tracking and blockchain |
| 8:45 – 9:15 | Registration |
| 9:15 – 9:30 | Introduction to Day 2 |
| 09:30 – 10:25 | Lecture “Digital fingerprint and cultural heritage. A solution through XRF mapping” Lorenzo Bellucci (1trueid) |
| 10:25 – 10:40 | Time-Break |
| 10:40 – 11:35 | Lecture “The Future of Heritage Management: How AI and Blockchain Transform the Art World” Dr. Taras Maksymyuk (Lviv Polytechnic National University) |
| 11:35 – 13:00 | Lecture “Blockchain applications” Matias Torres Diaz, Emanuele Spano (AVVALE), Taras Maksymyuk (Lviv Polytechnic National University) |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 – 14:55 | Lecture “Beyond restoration: the expanding role of the cultural heritage conservator” Antonio Mirabile (AM) |
| 14:55 – 15:50 | Lecture “Development of a low power consumption embedded system for indoor precision tracking of cultural artifacts in museum environment” John Buckley / Brendan O’Flynn (Tyndall Institute-University College of Cork) |
| 15:50 – 16:05 | Time-Break |
| 16:05 – 16:35 | Workshop “End to end system operation of AURORA localization technologies” Sanjeev Kumar (Tyndall Institute-University College of Cork), Matias Torres Diaz (AVVALE) |
| 16:35 – 17:05 | “Creation of a Digital Identity through XRF mapping. An application case” Lorenzo Bellucci (1trueid) |
| 17:30 – 19:30 | Social Activity |
| 20:00 | Closing of the second day |
| TIME (CET) |
Cluster Synergies |
| 8:45 – 9:15 | Registration |
| 9:15 – 9:30 | Introduction to Day 3 |
| 09:30 – 10:25 | Lecture Cameron Walter (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) |
| 10:25 – 10:40 | Time-Break |
| 10:40 – 11:35 | Lecture on museum involvement in AURORA
“Building a Network to Fight Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Artefacts in Hungary ” Dr. Lujza Varga (HNM) |
| 11:35 – 13:00 | Roundtable with sister projects on policy recommendations |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Lecture from other EU funded projects |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Lecture from other EU funded projects |
| 16:00 – 16:15 | Time-Break |
| 16:15 – 17:10 | Lecture from external speaker |
| 17:30 – 19:30 | Social activity |
| 20:00 | Social dinner |
| TIME (CET) |
Conclusion |
| 9:45 – 10:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Introduction to Day 4 |
| 10:15 – 11:10 | Lecture “Equipping museums to fight illicit trafficking” Aida Vezic, Jove Pargovski, Azra Bečević Šarenkapa (Balkan Museum Network) |
| 11:10 – 11:25 | Time-Break |
| 11:25 – 12:20 | Practical activity “Do the scanning process!” Rodorico Giorgi, Matias Torres Diaz/Emanuele Mario Spano (CSGI + AVVALE) |
| 12:20 – 13:00 | Wrap up and conclusion Closing ceremony BEWARRANT, AVVALE |
