From the headlines in the world's media, the story seemed simple: A tiny Slovak village wanted UNESCO to remove it from the World Heritage List because of the pressures of overtourism.
But that's not quite what is happening in Vlkolinec, central Slovakia.
Interviews with residents, local officials and visitors suggest that the debate was less about UNESCO itself than about how to protect a living community from the pressures of tourism.
Accelerated transformation
"Those who come with humility, to admire the village and understand how people lived here, are always welcome," said 68-year-old Anton Sabucha. "They don't bother me. It's the rude ones."
