Brussels, 14/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and Europa Nostra have selected 28 candidates for the annual "European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards". The seven Grand Prizes and 21 Awards will be presented by Mr Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, and Her Royal Highness The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, President of Europa Nostra, during the official European Heritage Awards Ceremony in the Teatro Antico of Taormina, Sicily (Italy) on 5 June. The Awards highlight exceptional conservation, research and education achievements, as well as dedicated service to heritage conservation. The awards were jointly launched in 2002 by the Commission and Europa Nostra to celebrate outstanding initiatives within the European cultural heritage sector in categories ranging from the restoration of buildings and their adaptation to new uses, to urban and rural landscape rehabilitation, archaeological site interpretations, and care for art collections. Also awarded are prizes for research, for education and awareness-raising projects related to cultural heritage, and for dedicated service to heritage conservation by individuals or organisations. This year, a total of 138 applications and nominations from 24 countries were received for the competition. (IL./transl.rh)