Brussels, 04/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - As every year in September, the European Heritage Days 2012 will allow millions of visitors free access to several thousand sites in 50 countries in Europe. They are a unique occasion for European citizens to visit places that are usually closed to the public. “By opening their doors, these sites open our eyes and minds to the shared and diverse cultural heritage that is the jewel in Europe's crown”, said European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou. The deputy secretary general of the Council of Europe, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, welcomed this event which has been a great success with the public for 20 years thanks to the enthusiastic involvement of municipalities and regional communities.
The sites open to the public enable people to learn about competences, traditions, architecture and local arts, like for example the “hidden heritage” (in France) which lies concealed in walls, under ground or in the landscape, archives of certain well known brands like Marks & Spencer (the UK), timber in all its forms since Neolithic times (Germany), and the art of building, with sites which highlight technical and engineering advances and which have led to the evolution of architectures (Belgium). Some countries are also organising joint events to highlight the European dimension of the initiative. Spain, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, for example, have created a website which will link wine museums across Europe. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia, France and Belgium are cooperating on a youth exchange and heritage education event. In parallel, a photographic competition entitled “Wiki loves monuments” is taking place in 21 European countries with the aim of encouraging the public to discover the cultural, historical and scientific significance of their neighbourhood. As part of the European Heritage Days, the 5th European Heritage Days Forum will be held in Nicosia on 14-15 October in the presence of Vassiliou. This year the forum will focus on opportunities brought by new information and communication technologies to facilitate access to cultural heritage and to encourage people to work for its conservation.
Organised every year since 1985 on the initiative of the Council of Europe, since 1999 the European Heritage Days have become a joint initiative with the European Commission. The 50 signatory countries to the European Cultural Convention participate in the event. (IL/transl.fl)