Studying as a beautiful and meaningful journey

Shortly before completing her Master's degree, she took over the scientific supervision of a drawing workshop in Branitz Park on 18 and 19 July 2025. This was a joint project organised by the city of Cottbus and the Prince Pückler Museum, Park and Branitz Castle Foundation for Cottbus residents and international BTU students. The workshop was initiated by Ekaterina Orba, an artist who was born in Russia and lives in Cottbus.

Niloofar Soleymani 's aim was to work with the artist and the workshop participants in the context of Branitz Park - this important European garden monument - to find out whether people feel more connected to a place when they engage with its heritage. The aim was also to find out whether people with an international background build social ties to the city by getting to know the park together with locals, creating art inspired by the park, sharing memories and talking about their experiences.In her master's thesis, the dedicated BTU student is investigating whether such participatory artistic practices can bring people closer to each other and to the city itself.

She has now been able to draw the following conclusion: "The two-day workshop was a very special and personal experience for me - both in relation to the city of Cottbus and to the diverse group of participants. We had people from 19 to over 80 years of age who came from very different backgrounds. At the end of the workshop, I asked them what they remembered most. Most of them mentioned two things: creating a single work of art together and the special opportunity to interact creatively with people from different generations."

She gainedher bachelor's degree in the conservation of historical buildings at Isfahan University of Art in Iran. She then realised that her true passion lay in heritage studies. Since 2009, she has been a volunteer in the Freiburg-Isfahan Circle of Friends, which inspired her to continue her studies in Germany.

Her decision to study for a Master's degree at BTU was based in particular on the opportunity to study World Heritage Studies in English in an international and interdisciplinary environment. The programme's unique focus on critical perspectives of cultural heritage and its global approach were a perfect fit for her interests. Her current focus is on inclusive and participatory approaches to heritage and how these can strengthen social cohesion in diverse communities.

Niloofar Soleymani emphasises: "Looking back now, shortly before completing my Master's thesis, I can say that choosing BTU was the right decision for me. The university has given me many opportunities to grow both academically and personally. I have learnt to look at heritage with a more critical and inclusive attitude, and I have been able to gain valuable practical experience through internships and international projects in Europe and the United States. I also appreciate how open and supportive the university has been to my ideas and how it has funded my progress throughout the programme."

The World Heritage Studies programme is a vibrant and unique opportunity that offers students a wide range of perspectives on cultural heritage. It offers an inspiring international environment in which you learn together with people from many different backgrounds and benefit from their diverse experiences.

"For me personally, World Heritage Studies is a beautiful and meaningful journey that challenges and broadens the view of what heritage can be," emphasises Niloofar Soleymani. "It's a programme that you won't regret if you are prepared to get actively involved, take the initiative and shape your own path in this field."