ISSN: 1871-417X

EUROPEAN CULTURAL
HERITAGE REVIEW 2019

DISCOVER EUROPE’S HIDDEN CONNECTIONS

WAR & PEACE
THE FIRST EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE SUMMIT
THE BERLIN CALL TO ACTION
AND MUCH MORE...

EUROPE SPECIAL
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2018
det europæiske
år for kulturarv
EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE SUMMIT
BERLIN, 18–24 JUNE 2018

Summit Hosts

With the kind co-operation and support of

Summit Partners, Supporters and Associates

Co-funded by the
Creative Europe Programme
of the European Union

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•
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H E R I TA

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VO L U
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 03

Welcome
By Plácido Domingo,
President of
Europa Nostra

It is a great pleasure for me to introduce you to this special in this magazine. We hope that, if you have not done so
European edition of our Heritage in Action magazine, created already, you will go to the Europa Nostra website and sign the
for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. In 2018, Call to Action. We had hoped for a symbolic two thousand
we celebrated Europe’s heritage with thousands of activities and eighteen (2018) signatures before the end of the year.
across the continent. So much enthusiasm, creativity and However, many committed individuals and organisations had
positive energy has been generated by the idea of celebrating already signed it by the beginning of the year, and continue to
our shared history. The European Year was not just a moment do so. It was an honour to be the first to do so, together with
in time, it was the beginning of a continent-wide reflection our co-hosts of the Summit, Dr. Martina Münch, President
on what Europe is and who we are as Europeans. We are a of the German Cultural Heritage Committee (DNK) and
continent with an ever-changing shared culture and that means Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian
that our shared heritage should be at the heart of the European Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK), whom I also wish to
Project. Europa Nostra, as well as all other umbrella networks welcome as Europa Nostra’s new Executive President.
across Europe, have an essential part to play in this. I saw the
European Year therefore as a year of building bridges, between In this magazine you will also find articles on many
politicians and civilians, between organisations and disciplines, fascinating European heritage stories from across Europe that
between all of us as Europeans. all show us how diverse, multi-layered and interconnected
our continent really is. We will travel from north to south,
I believe that the most important goal of the Year was to from east to west to discover how much we have in common. It
recognise the European aspects of our local and national shows us how we have influenced one another and how all our
heritage and vice versa. If you scratch the surface you will personal lives and our local communities are linked to a larger
find that in every heritage building, every monument, every European story.
landscape, every tradition, there are European elements to
discover. That was one of the reasons why the theme of our This publication would not have been possible without the
very first European Cultural Heritage Summit in June in dedication of our dear colleagues and friends from all over
Berlin was “Sharing Heritage, Sharing Values”. It was truly Europe. We especially want to thank our German colleagues,
a week-long celebration of Europe’s heritage which brought DNK and SPK, without whom we could not have organised
together thousands of volunteers, experts and decision-makers. the European Cultural Heritage Summit. We also want to
The European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2018 was one of acknowledge the vital on-going support of the EU’s Creative
the many highlights. I was delighted to be able to thank and Europe Programme, the A.G. Leventis Foundation and
honour, together with the Federal President of Germany Dr. our corporate partner Bertelsmann SE & Co. KgaA. Their
Frank-Walter Steinmeier and European Commissioner Tibor support has enabled Europa Nostra to develop its activities on
Navracsics, the people behind the thirty winning projects from so many fronts, including this magazine.
across Europe. It was an evening none of us will easily forget.

The Berlin Summit was also the perfect occasion to launch a

forceful Call to Action to make cultural heritage a top priority
in Europe. You can find an article on this important document Plácido Domingo, President Europa Nostra
CONTENTS
06 L’Esprit de Canisy

COUNTRY
DREAMS
From his home and gathering place, Chateau
de Canisy, outgoing Executive President
of Europa Nostra Denis de Kergorlay looks
back and ahead.

12 ATheMatter of Time

HERITAGE
LIVING
story of time
keeping in Europe.

30 Neanderthals

HERITAGE
LIVING
A reappraisal of the first
Europeans.

38 Building Europe through Cultural Heritage

FEATURE
During the European Cultural Heritage Summit in
Berlin in June 2018, many European politicians, leaders
and civil society organisations stressed the importance
of cultural heritage for the future of Europe.

48 Connecting the Dots

HERITAGE
LIVING
The European Cultural Routes
give us an opportunity to
rediscover Europe as a dense
network of historic connections.

56 “Cultural heritage has a key

PARTNER

role to play in building the

Europe of the future”
Interview with Tibor Navracsics,
EU Commissioner for Education,
Culture, Youth and Sport.
FEATURE

62 Highlights of the European

Cultural Heritage Summit in Berlin

82 Peace
FEATURE

After millennia of war,

Europe is trying to make
peace its enduring legacy.
 88 War

FEATURE
Europe has been a continent of war
and conflict ever since humans first
arrived. In 2018 we commemorated
the end of the Great War.

96 Charlemagne and

LEGACY
the European Dream
The life and times of the Father of Europe.

106 Danse Macabre

FEATURE
Europe’s heritage is often a
reflection of our continuous
struggle with the prospect of death.

112 Lessons to Learn

YOUTH
Scholars and students were
the first Europeans, laying the
foundation of a European culture
based on empirical research and
knowledge.

122 On The Defensive

HERITAGE
MILITARY
How we keep enemies out of our towns and
countries has changed dramatically over
the centuries.

132 The European Year of

HERITAGE
DREAMS
Cultural Heritage and Beyond
Interview with Hermann Parzinger,
Executive President of Europa Nostra.

What Have The Romans Together we are stronger! Hidden Connections / 142
Ever Done For Us? / 18 Interview with Catherine Helena Vaz da Silva European
Magnant / 76 Award / 154
Divas of Stone / 24
A Place at the Royal An Ode to Joy / 102 7 Most Endangered 2018 / 156
Table / 34 A Solid Foundation for Adaptive Reuse
“Sharing Heritage is Vital Heritage / 110 of Built Heritage / 160
to Europe’s Future” Father of Europe 60 years
European Capitals of Culture /
Interview with Dr. Uwe Koch, ago, the European Parliament
German Cultural Heritage gave Robert Schuman the title 164
Committee / 44 ‘Father of Europe’ / 118 Wiki Loves Monuments Photo
The Future Belongs to the Young Competition / 168
The Berlin Call to Action / 72
But So Does the Present / 136 In Memoriam / 172
06
country dreams

L’Esprit
de Canisy
Denis de Kergorlay reflects on
his years as Executive President
of Europa Nostra and shares the
trials and tribulations but also the
pleasures of running a family estate Denis de Kergorlay
in front of the
in the 21st century. Château de Canisy
Denis de Kergorlay is, as usual, in Vice-President John Sell - to 07
a good mood. The sun is shining realise many of its ambitions
on his stunning family estate and have instilled new energy
Canisy in Normandy. It is a in the team of professionals and
magnificent place surrounded by volunteers. During the European
forests, streams, and fields which Heritage Awards Ceremony in
are open to the general public. Berlin on 22 June 2018, Denis de
On one side of the estate, we Kegorlay was awarded - together
discover a beautiful garden with with Executive Vice-President
rare trees and an ornamental John Sell and Vice-President
fountain. The small village of Alexander Fürst zu Sayn-
Canisy (Kergorlay once was its Wittgenstein-Sayn - the Europa
Mayor) starts right outside the Nostra Medal of Honour, the
property. The family church, organisation’s highest honour.
where his daughter got married
last July, symbolically forms the In the knowledge that Europa
borderline between town and Nostra is in good hands with
castle. On the other side of the the new Executive President
estate, we find a well-designed Hermann Parzinger and
park with loud peacocks, plump Executive Vice-President Guy
pigs and even an alpaca or two. Clausse, he now concentrates
The panoramic view from the on convincing the French
Chateau – with architectural government to put cultural
elements from different time heritage and landscapes high
periods – reveals an artificial lake on the national and European
surrounded by flowerbeds and a agenda. Together with Pierre
collection of historical structures Dumont he has just published a
including converted stables and a book on the negative impact of
caretaker’s cottage. Time seems wind farm projects on our natural
to move slowly here and the and cultural heritage: “Eoliennes :
Parisian world – where Kergorlay chronique d’un naufrage annoncé”
spends most of his days – is far, (Wind Turbines: Chronicle of a
far away. He is a leading figure in Predicted Shipwreck ed.).
the cultural world of the French
capital. Since 2009, he has The passionate heritage activist
been President of the Cercle de is, however, also responsible for
l’Union Interalliée in the heart the Chateau de Canisy that his
of the city. The club includes family has owned since it was
political and cultural leaders built a thousand years ago. It is
among its international members a responsibility he does not take
and was founded over a century lightly.
ago, in 1917, when the Americans
entered the Great War. I understand you did not grow up
in Canisy. You did not play there
Denis de Kergorlay is not your as a child?
run-of-the-mill leader. He is kind
but decisive. He is a rebel at heart You are right. My parents
but pragmatic in execution. His did not live here. But in the
guiding principles and clear late 70s, there was the acute
leadership have helped Europa danger that we would lose
Nostra - together with Executive ownership of the Chateau.
08
country dreams

One of the artificial I was a bachelor, in my thirties. I I was not interested at all in the history and its beauty, it should
lakes on the property
had spent years of my life trying museum option. In my eyes of be possible to make it work.
The Spirit of Canisy:
to distance myself, step by step, a “open to the world” young I started to invite my friends
good company, good
food and good wine from my family, to forge my man it appeared to be a too to come here for the weekend.
own path in life. I stood at the conservative, a too traditional Everybody would share the
beginning of an international option of managing the chateau. costs for these days in what I call
career and I felt like a world I wanted to prove that there ‘the spirit of Canisy’. Ideally,
citizen. I had no interest in were more lively options. I I believed, we needed a group of
being responsible for a castle in wanted to host visitors in a about thirty people. In 1982, we
Normandy. But it took me only friendly and innovative way. I formalised these activities in Les
a second to reach the conclusion knew immediately that I wanted Amis de Canisy.
that I had to do it. It may sound to do something meaningful. I
strange but there was no doubt was on a quest for relevance, you Was that enough?
in my mind at all. Not at all. And could say. What does it mean to
never has been since. have this property if you cannot My aunt Brigitte said: “You
use it as a family castle? I wanted cannot ask money from your
You came from a very different to prove that we were capable friends!” but I explained to
world. How did you go about of doing it differently and her that it was a non-profit
Panorama of Canisy
running a family estate? still be successful. With all its association. She said: “Well,
 09

The Board and

Vice-Presidents of
Europa Nostra during
a meeting at Canisy
in May 2018

then we need cultural activities!” the family should never put Chateau de Canisy is located
It grew from there. My friends money in the estate. Should it near the American landing
asked me if they could bring their not be able to survive on its own beaches of the battle of
friends and their colleagues. resources? Normandy: La Pointe du
We organised concerts and Hoc, Utah Beach and Omaha
performances. The Aspen That was unfortunately not Beach. Many people, especially
Institute started to organise a viable option anymore. The Americans, are interested in
conferences here in Canisy. estate itself does not generate that. My aunt Brigitte, who I
enough income. If you want to mentioned before, a sister of
The accommodations were quite keep it and maintain it, you my father, had lived through
rudimentary back then but it need money. In the 1990s – D-Day and World War II. She
worked. The success was not I was married by then – we would share her stories with our
only the ambiance; it was also thought about a foundation guests. She was very supportive
the company of open-minded that would sustain the castle. of our philosophy for Canisy.
people, this ‘spirit of Canisy’. Ok, but then the foundation Americans and Europeans
In French society, the doctors should own it. My wife Marie- instinctively understood that
meet the doctors, the lawyers Christine pointed out that we Canisy was a club, a place where
the lawyers, the bankers the would not be the real owners friends and guests meet. As A peacock in one of
bankers. People are used to anymore. It was the nightmare it comes to the Asian visitors the parks of Canisy
encounter people with similar of not being able to pay the bills
professions and lifestyles. But in versus the nightmare of it not
Canisy you would meet people being a home anymore.
from all walks of life. You could What is a castle-owner to do
debate, share and discuss. Young if he cannot pay the bills? If my
professionals in their thirties wife wants new curtains we
– in the 1980s – would come to have to ask the foundation if
Canisy for the weekend and take we can have them? So we
their children with them. started Le Cercle de Canisy. Like
a club, we would have paying
Correct me if I am wrong but guests who would become
is it not the classical view that friends.
10
country dreams

it is a little different. We have

much less shared history and
their approach is maybe more
traditional. They usually come
as part of a guided tour. Their not so much affected by it, but
tour operators do not always nevertheless it was tough. We
draw a clear distinction between had to find our own way to
an hotel and a privately owned adjust and adapt without losing
historical chateau. Canisy could sight of what Canisy is. If you literally on the first night, was to
never become a traditional hotel, have a sense of history, which mark the 100 years anniversary
like the Hilton or the Marriott, is inescapable at Canisy, you with a book about the history of
without losing its spirit. develop a sense of relativity. the club. If you know the whole
You have to accept that life is story, you can much better
Was the success of Canisy affected never tranquil. You cannot take define the future. The same with
Not far from Canisy
by the economic crisis and the anything for granted. History Canisy. My wife Marie-Christine
we find the UNESCO terrorist attacks in France? and legacy are therefore very put the idea of the family back
World Heritage listed important. into our story, the continuity,
Mont-Saint-Michel.
Denis de Kergorlay Tour operators, especially in the eternity, the perpetuity. The
is actively trying to Asia, deemed France too risky The first decision I made as vision of Canisy is that it should
protect the famous
site from uncontrolled
and reservations plummeted. President of the Cercle de be a place to share, to exchange
development. The American interest was l’Union Interalliée in Paris, ideas, a place to be open and
mindful, just as it was in the
1980s, with good food, good
wine, and good company.

My biggest joy is to see the

children playing at the Chateau.
They hide from their parents
because they do not want to
leave. In a modern hotel, you
cannot experience that. The
biggest challenge, I think, was
to explain that to the outside
world. That this ‘Spirit of
Canisy’ was an idea that could
work, that it would be relevant
and meaningful. I think this
 11

Executive President
Denis de Kergorlay
receives the Europa
Nostra Medal of
Honour during the
European Heritage
Awards Ceremony,
22 June 2018 in
Berlin, together with
Executive Vice-
President John Sell
and Vice-President
Alexander zu Sayn-
Wittgenstein-Sayn.

philosophy of ‘sharing heritage Europa Nostra was, what we true professionals who can lead
and sharing values’ is essential were trying to accomplish, why Europa Nostra to the next level.
for the future discussions about our vision was important and John Sell and I have done all we
the heritage field in Europe. relevant. Now the situation could do. We have plowed the
is very different. We are now field, put the seeds in the ground
Since I was 30, my time has ‘in’, so to speak. The role of our but we now need to bring in the
been divided between the family Secretary-General, Sneška crops. Guy and Hermann have
business, the invention of a new Quaedvlieg-Mihailović and the right skill set, integrity,
concept for the Chateau and my her dedicated team has been and experience to do this
involvement in institutions such instrumental in this, “Sneška successfully.
as Médecins Sans Frontières, Nostra”, as I sometimes joke. We
the municipality of Canisy, have penetrated the institutions,
the association of Les Amis de we are asked to advise and
Canisy, the French heritage council, we can negotiate and
organisation La Demeure help to transform the European
Historique and the French heritage world step-by-step.
Heritage Society, and, of
course, Europa Nostra. I believe that the European
Year of Cultural Heritage
Did your experience with Canisy and the Summit in Berlin are
and the underlying philosophy a testament to that. That is
help you in the leadership of why it is now time for new
Europa Nostra? leadership. That is why I am
delighted to pass the torch to
When John Sell and I started to our new leadership and the new Europa Nostra’s
new leadership:
work for Europa Nostra it was, Board. In Hermann Parzinger Executive President
in a sense, the same situation. as Executive President and Guy Hermann Parzinger
and Executive
You had to explain to the outside Clausse as Executive Vice- Vice-President Guy
world what the L’esprit de President, we have found two Clausse at Canisy
12
lıvıng herıtage

A Matter of Time
Time seemed to stop briefly in to this kind of accuracy and how
Berlin, August 16, 2009, when did we decide how and why time Albert
Einstein as a
Usain Bolt ran the 100 metres in had to be measured more and young man
an unprecedented 9.572 seconds, more precisely? From planes,
a new world record. It was a trains, and automobiles to the
monumental achievement based stock exchange, from cooking
on a very small part-second pasta to filling a timesheet: our
difference. How did we ever get society revolves around time.
We all know time flies when you
are having fun and time moves
slowly in the dentist’s chair. Time
is everywhere, continuously
reminding us of its ever moving
presence, counting down the
Usain Bolt (photo
minutes of every hour and the
Erik van Leeuwen) days of our lives. What time
 Tower of Winds or Time is cultural heritage pur 13
Horologium (100–50
BC) in Athens sang. How we measure time and
how we interpret it has changed
dramatically over time and space.
The cultural heritage of time is
closely connected to our scientific
and technical progress, and to the
needs of our society throughout
the ages. The Sumerians were the
first to divide the day up in to 12
hours. The Egyptians measured
time with sundials and water
clocks, which dripped and sloshed
away the hours. It was, however,
in Europe that the measurement
Antikythera
of time was perfected. The Mechanism
famous Tower of Winds (50 BC), (probably 70-60 BC)

under the Acropolis in Athens,

had a water clock to keep count at
night and 8 sundials for accuracy
during the day. Mechanical
solutions were available,
as became clear from the
reconstruction of the incredible
and unexpected discovery of the
Antikythera Mechanism, an
experimental clock dating back to
the 1st century BC.

Like most Greeks, the Romans

exactly is, we only started to knew nothing of the Antikythera Sundial suitable for
figure out at the beginning of the Mechanism and used a sundial a wooden stick (1st
century AD), Aquileia
last century. Time turned out not or a wooden stick in the field to
to be an eternal and unchangeable measure time. The legions divided
force in the universe. Since the the night into four watches and
publishing – on 26 September kept to local time during their
1905, at age 26 – of Albert marches. Emperor Augustus put
Einstein’s theory, we now know an ancient Egyptian obelisk in the
that time is relative. Time can centre of Rome, as a giant needle
move slower or faster depending of a square-sized sundial. The
on our frame of reference. But it sun was however not the most
was a long and winding road to practical time-keeper. In cloudy
get to where we are now when we weather the shadows cast by the
can measure time by the smallest so-called gnonom or ‘needle’, were Ambrogio
Lorenzetti’s Allegory
increments. The atomic clocks, invisible. Water clocks also had of Good Government
with the rare metal ytterbium at their problems. They were hard (detail, 1338/39) with
an hourglass
their heart, only miss a beat once to calibrate and you definitely
in every quintillion (2×10−18) could not set your watch by them. highly inaccurate. So time moved
years. The rotation of our good Hourglasses and for instance, on without too many checks and
old earth seems hopelessly old- candles that burned at a certain balances and Europe seemed fine
fashioned and inaccurate. pace were useful at night but also without them.
14
lıvıng herıtage

Clock tower in
Chiogga has its roots in the Celtic word The first big innovation was the
Detail clock tower in clocca, meaning ‘bell’. use of weights and cogwheels to
Chiogga power clocks. Not necessarily
The idea of the measurement very exact, but for a population
of time is inseparable from that had no use for more than
Medieval Europe had not much our knowledge of the earth 15-minute increments, this was
use for minutes and seconds. In and its place in the universe. more than enough. The first
reality, the average European The rotation of our planet and clocks appeared on town halls
was not much of a time-keeper. its movement around the sun and churches in the 13th century.
They lived roughly by the dictate the length of our days and The clock that can rightly call
hours of daylight and very nights. Without accurate clocks, itself the oldest public clock in
little accurate measurement we could not begin to calculate Europe is still a hotly debated
was necessary. Religious where we were on the surface of issue, with the 14th century
leaders, however, needed more our planet and how fast we were Salisbury Cathedral in the UK,
consistent timekeeping for the moving. These technical and the Beauvais cathedral in France
exact hours of prayer. Soon, observational challenges served and the famous Orloj clock in
the monasteries and churches to propel Europe’s culture from the Old Town Square of Prague,
started sharing their time the 14th century onwards and the Czech Republic each staking a
measurement loudly with the measurement of time became claim to the title. The oldest,
surrounding towns and villages. one of the most fundamental still working clock is probably
There is an element of logic in elements of many of the major in Chioggia, a small city nestled
the fact that the word ‘clock’ developments in our history. on the marshy laguna south of
 15

Clock tower in
Clusone
Detail clock in
Clusone

Mechanism of the
Venice. This clock dates back clock in Clusone
to 1386 – it was relocated to
the St Andrew’s tower (built
around the year 1000) – and was
created by Jacopo de’ Dondi, a
clock-maker from nearby Padua.
He also created the celebrated
astronomical clock of Palazzo
Capitanio in his hometown in
1344, rebuilt in 1423.

Most of the old town hall and

tower clocks were not just telling
the time. They were a reflection
of new scientific discoveries,
following the movement of the
moon and the stars and tracking
the zodiac signs. It was nice to
know what time of day it was,
but it was much more interesting
to discover what the universe
had in store for you. Astrology
16 was as important as astronomy. come, it is such a ridiculous, and
lıvıng herıtage

Often the technological drive to oftentimes mischievous Folly,

make better clocks was driven that I do not think it fit to be so
by the need to make more much as named.”
accurate predictions through
increasingly difficult systems Although time was measured
of calculations to interpret the ever more accurately, it was
movement of celestial bodies. still based on and calibrated by
Although astrology is now the sun, which meant that time
firmly in the world of late night differed wildly from one region
TV and tabloid horoscopes, the to the next. Even a town a few
celebrated scholars now seen miles away could be in a slightly
as pioneers of the scientific different time zone. There was
revolution such as Tycho Brahe, no important reason to change
Philippe Stern’s Johannes Kepler, and Galileo that until the 19th century when
“Collection of Galilei, were all avid astrologers, the world became obsessed with
Timekeepers” predicting the future for the time. To be able to measure
royal houses and the heads of longitude you need accuracy. In
For over 40 years, Philippe Stern
has collected an array of European state. the age of discovery, the captains
timekeepers which now comprise one had used hourglasses to keep
of the largest and most important
collections of its kind in the world. In One of the most beautiful time, but the system left much
2001, a long-held ambition to open examples of an astronomical to be desired. To invent an exact
a museum to house the collection
was realised with the establishment clock can be found in the marine chronometer seemed to
of the Patek Philippe Museum in small village of Clusone, be an elusive challenge, even
Geneva. Philippe Stern’s collection
is composed of around 1,200 north of Bergamo, Italy. It is deemed impossible. But after
timekeepers from across Europe, the only known work of local John Harrison invented his
celebrating craftsmanship.
mathematician Pietro Fanzago H-4 chronometer, in 1759, the
Philippe Stern’s “Collection of who built it in 1583 to reflect “the world finally knew what time
Timekeepers” received a Europa
Nostra Award in 2017 in the category
knowledge that astronomers have it was everywhere on the earth
Research. The jury of the Europa discovered through their studies.” at any given moment. The
Nostra Awards appreciated the
The multi-purpose clock still invention came just in time for
research on the collection noting
that “in opening this museum, has its original machinery and the Industrial Revolution and
Philippe Stern has shared his private marks the movements of the the railway networks which
collection with the public and made
the knowledge available to a wider sun and the moon, the hours needed clarity and uniformity
audience. The collection embraces of the day and the duration of of time. You cannot ride a train
the most valuable, characteristic
and outstanding timepieces from the the night, the equinoxes and into a different time zone every
horological centres of Europe”. the solstices, the constellations few minutes. The invention of
The story of Patek Philippe is a of the zodiac, the lunations, the electric telegraph and the
typical European story. The company the months, the hours and the stock ticker made some form of
was originally started in 1839 in
Geneva by Antoni Norbert Patek minutes. global time the highest priority.
and Franciszek Czapek, two Polish Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
refugees. Later Czapek withdrew
from the company and French
The belief in astrology however had already been established
engineer Adrien Philippe joined slowly started to lose its grip in 1675 when the Royal
Patek, giving the firm its definitive
on the scientific world and the Observatory was built, but on
name.
17th century Dutch horologist December 1, 1847, it became a
Christiaan Huygens, who global standard. By about 1900
invented the pendulum clock, the whole world could accurately
wrote in his Cosmotheoros, tell the time.
published after his death: “And
as for the Judicial Astrology, that From the 15th century, another
pretends to foretell what is to development had also been
slowly taking place. Time was 17
communicated to the Europeans
Detail clock Padua
by chimes and bells but hardly
anybody felt the need to
personally, individually know
what time it was. Personal
timekeepers were what we now
would call novelty items, such as
the highly inaccurate chamber
clock given to Philip the Good,
Duke of Burgundy around
1430, now in the Germanisches
Nationalmuseum. The process
of miniaturisation became
more successful over the
centuries. The 16th century
Nuremberg eggs, designed by
Peter Henlein, were little copper
balls with intricate spring-
driven mechanisms that could
be worn around the neck or
kept in the owner’s pocket to be
shown off to friends. The race
to miniaturisation was on. The
world’s first real wristwatch –
which was as much a jewel as a
timekeeper – was made by Swiss
watch manufacturer Patek
Philippe in 1868 for Countess
Koscowicz of Hungary (see
encadre).

The mechanics of watches and

clocks changed dramatically
when the potential of crystalline
quartz oscillation to keep
time was first discovered
by the brothers Jacques
and Pierre Curie in 1880s.
Nowadays atomic clocks are
the most accurate, such as the
aforementioned ytterbium
clock.

Over the centuries our need and

urge to tell time has changed world and in the universe. In a announce the Persian defeat, but Clock tower Padua

European culture on the most sense, time itself became part we do know that it took Dennis
fundamental level and has of our human endeavour. We do Kimetto exactly 2:02:57 to
deeply affected our society not precisely know how long complete the Berlin Marathon in
and our communities as well it took the Greek messenger September 2014, setting a new
as our view of our place in the Philippides to run to Athens to world record.
 What Have The Romans
18
lıvıng herıtage

Ever Done For Us?

One of the most famous questions from Monty
Python’s iconic and controversial film Life of Brian
(1979) may have some revealing answers about
Europe’s heritage.

The answer in the film was

sanitation, medicine, education,
wine, public order, irrigation,
roads, a fresh water system, and
public health. An impressive
list indeed, but how important
were the Romans really for
European culture? All roads
lead to Rome but it is probably
more accurate to say that
all roads led from Rome, as
civilisation-bringing arteries
that transported the rich
heritage of the ancient world to
the farthest corners of Europe.

Roman theatre
in Verona
 19

Roman road system

The Romans have influenced Europe’s history in many ways. Their culture,
inventions or improvements helped to shape European heritage:
• Many of the languages spoken in Cicero’s De Finibus;
Europe are heavily influenced by
Latin; • Some of our roads still follow the
same trajectory as the 400,000
• Rome was a multi-cultural kilometres of roads the Romans
society and ideas from across the built;
Empire were shared and adapted
which fundamentally changed • Our principles of law are founded
Europe; on the Roman system, as is our
court system;
• They created a decent sewage
system in many towns, some of • The principles behind Roman
them still in use today; bridges, domes and high building
blocks with apartments are still
• They created aqueducts which in use today. Their knowledge
supplied clean water to towns of concrete was only recently
many miles away; surpassed;
• The invented central heating • The hundreds of cities the
systems; Romans founded or enhanced
still form the heart of Europe.
• Most Europeans still use the As mentioned above, many
Latin script and the Latin are UNESCO World Heritage.
alphabet; Augsburg, Aachen, Strassbourg,
• They realised the value of hot and Regensburg are other
springs and created bathhouses examples of this;
with saunas and steam rooms; • They advanced Christianity in
• We still start the year on 1 Europe;
January and our day at midnight; • The professional way the Roman
• Many of our months have Roman army was structured is still the
names and we have 7 days in the base of our modern armies;
week; • They gave many Europeans
• All the planets are named after deadly tapeworms, the result
Roman gods; of the popularity of garum, the
famous Roman fermented fish
• The Edict of Diocletian (284- sauce made of the intestines of
305) was the first ever document uncooked fish;
that fixed maximum prices of
products and produce; • The medical knowledge of
Claudius Galenus (129 – 199),
• We still use Roman numerals on a Greek/Roman doctor and
our clocks; healer, would dominate western
• We still use “Lorem Ipsum” in medicine for over 1500 years.
modern typology, a text from
20
The Roman stadium in
lıvıng herıtage

Aphrodisias, Turkey

deserts to the south. However,

as big as it was as a territorial
entity, it was the Roman
influence that really counted;
an influence that would reach to
the north and the Far East and
even to sub-Saharan Africa. The
gold which paid the hundreds
of thousands of soldiers who
secured the empire’s borders,
came in part all the way from
present-day Ghana. The Roman
Empire also drew deep lines
across the landscape of Europe
Porta Nigra, Early Europe is in part built on you discover how much of our which are still visible today;
Trier, Germany
the Roman reinvention of Greek present-day culture is related to changing minds, languages,
Aula Palatina,
Trier civilisation with a sprinkling of our Roman past. The Romans customs, and religions. As
Alexander the Great combined have laid the foundation for much as the Greek civilisation
Roman
foundations in with Egyptian and Persian much of our European heritage. is Europe’s spiritual home, it
Trier, Germany influences. We tend to forget how Their ideas still permeate our is the Roman civilisation that
closely these civilisations were culture. We could easily fill a few in a sense created the physical
all linked and how their stories pages listing the innovations and foundation of Europe. Part of
influenced our European story. changes the Romans brought to the borders of the empire, the
For example, Jesus’ apostles and Europe, but it may be more useful so-called Limes Germanicus (a
followers who travelled from to look at the broader picture. term the Romans never actually
Palestine through present-day used) is now UNESCO World
Turkey to Europe to spread The Roman Empire stretched to Heritage. It includes Hadrian’s
the word and change the world a size that had never been seen Wall in the United Kingdom
never left the Roman Empire. before or indeed since. At its and the defensive borders from
They travelled on Roman roads, peak, it encompassed the whole Rheinbrohl to Eining in Germany.
lived in Roman cities and took Mediterranean and the Black Sea, The Roman borders were often
advantage of the Pax Romana. with the Rhine and Danube rivers more of a meaningful statement
*Part of the UNESCO
World Heritage list The deeper you dig, the more to the north and the African than an impregnable wall. It was
 21

The 7 Most Endangered Programme,

Roman walls of a cooperation between Europa Nostra
Lugo, Spain and the European Investment Bank
Institute that aims to find sustainable
solutions for some of the most
endangered sites in Europe, has also
selected two sites which are strongly
related to Roman heritage.

The Roman Amphitheatre in Durrës,

Albania
The discovery of this magnificent
early 2nd-century amphitheatre, which
remained unknown to the world until
the 1960s, put the ancient city of
Durrës back on the map of historic
sites in Europe. It also poses a major
challenge to ensure a successful
integration of the site into the urban
fabric and local community of Durrës.

mostly a collection of signal- and of European culture. Many of Roşia Montană Mining Landscape in
Transylvania, Romania
watchtowers with ditches and Europe’s towns can claim Roman
palisades here and there, as well roots. Sometimes the origins For years, Europa Nostra has been
advocating for Roșia Montană, an
as natural borders such as rivers are very visible as is the case ancient gold mining district in Romania.
and hills. The Roman way of life in Rome* and Verona* in Italy, This unique landscape is under threat of
being lost forever due to the plans to re-
spread easily and even those Trier* in Germany or Lugo* in open the mines. The landscape of Roşia
people far removed from the Spain. In these cities, the Roman Montană and its surrounding villages
has for more than three millennia been
Limes would eventually start heritage has become part of the masterfully transformed by mining
to embrace some of the many make-up of the modern city. The activities. However, the present
opencast gold mining project would
advantages civilisation had to ancient theatres are now used
seriously threaten its unique heritage
offer. Along and behind the for pop concerts and shows and and environment, including the in situ
border you would find secured the Roman baths are reinvented Roman mining machinery. This is a
typical example of how sustainability
camps in which the soldiers and as wellness centres. At times, the and long-term benefits are put at risk of
their entourage would live. It was Roman heritage is less visible as being sacrificed in pursuit of short-term
profits.
here that the Romans first lured is the case in Paris, London, and
the country folk into protected Vienna, where most remnants 7mostendangered.eu

and walled communities, the of this past are underground

cities which in time would and woven within many other
become such important symbols historical layers.
 Over the years many Roman and Roman related
22 monuments and heritage projects have won the EU Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards. Here are some
lıvıng herıtage

recent examples:
The restoration of the Roman theatre in Medellin (Spain)
won the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra
Awards in 2013.
The theatre has now been comprehensively excavated and
conserved, made accessible to the public and has revitalised
the local community. In 2012 it was the most visited of the
five restored monuments selected by the Spanish Ministry
of Education, Culture and Sport.
The restoration of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena
(Spain) won the award in the category Conservation in
2010. The project cleverly integrated the theatre into
the existing urban layout and helped with the timely
regeneration of this area in Cartegena.
The Baths of Diocletian, in the centre of today’s Rome,
won in 2016. The huge bathhouses could accommodate
3,000 people at any given time. Following a long period
of neglect, the Baths were transformed into an impressive
charter-house in the 16th-century This conservation project
was challenging as many of the buildings overlap one
another, as was the case with the charter-house, cloisters
and the open-air pool.
The 1st century BC Roman Bridge over the river
Guadalquivir in Córdoba won the EU Prize for Cultural
Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in 2014, together with the
The Roman theatre in Medellin, Spain Olive tree from Roman times in Spain Puerta del Puente, a renaissance gate, and the Calahorra
Tower, an originally Moorish stronghold from the 15th
century. This huge and complex restoration project made
the city’s long and multi-layered history much clearer to
visitors.
The restoration of the ruins of the ancient city of Nicopolis
in Greece, which was founded by Octavian after his victory
over Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, won the award in 2009.
The relationship between the competitors was complicated.
Cleopatra was the ex-lover of Octavian’s stepfather Julius
Caesar. She even had a child by him. Her new lover Mark
Anthony was Octavian’s former friend and rival. Nicopolis
was dedicated to Nike, the god of Victory – a victory that
paved the way to imperial power in Rome.
The Romans were very active and destructive miners. They
left Las Médulas in the north of Spain 1,700 years ago
and it is still a (beautiful) disaster area. It was once one of
the largest opencast goldmines of the Roman Empire. The
technique the Romans used was extremely destructive and
even though the mines have been deserted for such a long
time, the UNESCO World Heritage site still looks like a
sculpture made by giants. Rio Tinto, in the south of Spain,
is, in contrast, still very much in operation. The area is on
UNESCO’s tentative list and won an EU Prize for Cultural
Heritage / Europa Nostra Award in 2003. It is difficult to
describe the region, but perhaps the fact that astrobiologists
from NASA use it to research conditions on the planet Mars
may give an indication of its appearance.
The historical landscape of El Sénia’s ancient olive trees
in Spain won the Award in 2014. The saving of these
unbelievably old and serene creatures is a wonderful
story of communities coming together and making their
heritage an essential part of their future. The Phoenicians
brought the olive tree, the domesticated version of a small
Mediterranean shrub known as úllastres, to Spain. The
Romans turned olive oil into a first-class export and their
road system and the Pax Romana made trade throughout
the Empire a lucrative endeavour. The Arabs inherited
and improved the system of cultivation and the Christians
further built on their accomplishments. Time passed
Roman mine in and empires came and went, but the trees along the Via
UNESCO World Augusta, amidst an evergreen ocean of olive groves, simply
Heritage Las Médulas remained and kept producing their oil, year after year,
century after century.
 The ancient city of 23
healing, Pergamon,
Turkey

Roman mosaic floor in

Aquileia, Italy
Detail mosaic
Aquileia, Italy

In quite a few cases, the ancient had faded, European leaders knowledge of the ancient world
city did not manage to survive continued to portray themselves was preserved by the Byzantines
to modern times. Once thriving, as the heir apparent and revive and in the libraries of the Middle-
Roman cities are now dreamy the glory and accomplishments of East, made it possible to jump-start
countryside villages, built on and ancient Rome. It became an ideal a renaissance in numerous ways.
surrounded by impressive ruins. that would inspire generations of Roman art, Roman law, Roman
Pompeii and Herculaneum* are Europeans. In the year 800, Pope ideas and ideals were once again
the most famous examples but Leo III crowned Charlemagne as embraced and would dramatically
there are many, many more across the Emperor of the Holy Roman change Europe’s future.
Europe. Aquileia* in Italy, for Empire, a title which would be Our Roman heritage still defines
instance, is a charming village used on and off until the early 19th much of Europe today. New
with a remarkable collection of century. However, in the eastern research from the University of
Roman remains. Aphrodisias* in part of Europe, the situation was Copenhagen published in July 2018
present-day Turkey was once an viewed differently. The Eastern shows that areas with high road
impressive Roman city, loved by Roman Empire, or Byzantium, density in Roman times still have
the Roman emperors. For the last continued as if the loss of the high road density today. Moreover,
millennium or so, Aphrodisias was Western Roman Empire was just areas with high economic activity
almost completely abandoned and a bump in the road. They saw during the Roman Empire are still
its rich history forgotten. Roman themselves as the only and true the most prosperous today. From a
heritage is now an important drive Romans and heirs. They even heritage point of view, the Roman
for the local economy and a tourist managed to recapture most of monuments and sites are among
magnet. Here, you have the chance the Empire under Justinian I in the most important in Europe
to experience a Roman town up 555. Over the centuries, however, and many are inscribed on the
close as if the Romans had left just trouble started brewing for the UNESCO World Heritage list. The
a few years ago. Byzantines and the relationship deep roots of our shared heritage
with the West changed from can maybe also help Europe
In the third century, the Roman defiant to more cordial. Some to rediscover common ground
Empire was starting to run efforts were made to glue the two with the countries on the south
into trouble, especially in the empires back together through and east of the Mediterranean
west. Order was restored in marriages but it never came to basin, to embrace more fully a
the 4th century but step-by- fruition. The defeat of Byzantium shared history, based on the same
step the Roman Empire began in 1453 officially ended the Roman foundation, dating back thousands
to descend on a slippery slope Empire and caused a flood of of years, when the Netherlands,
to disintegration. The dream, scientists and scholars travelling Egypt, Romania, Palestine, and
however, lived on. For centuries from the east to seek refuge in the Tunisia were all part of the same
after the Western Roman Empire west. The fact that most of the empire.
 Divas of Stone
24
treasure

The theatres of Europe have been the

home of rich story-telling and imagination
for thousands of years.

and melodies to papyrus or

parchment. It is hard to imagine
Teatro Carlo Felice, a city in ancient Greece or in
Genua
the Roman Empire without
a theatre at the heart of its
It is a magic world of illusion, need to share our tales with one community. Unfortunately,
of spinning tales to captivate another and we want to listen most of the classical stories have
an audience. By putting on to the adventures of others. been lost in the mists of time,
a costume, by pretending to At first, we passed them on to but some of the ancient plays
be someone else, somewhere the next generation through by, for instance, Aeschylus,
else and telling a story, true or memorised songs and verses Sophokles, Euripides, and
imagined, we somehow touch but more than 2,500 years Aristophanes have survived
upon an essential element of ago we started to literally set and are still relevant to modern
what it means to be human. We the stage and put the words audiences.
 25

Over the years, ancient as well as In 2014 the

historical theatres have won many European
European Heritage Awards. Heritage
Awards
The restoration of the Roman Theatre Ceremony
in Cartagena in Spain won in 2010, was held
especially because the work had so in the
beautifully integrated the theatre into the Burgtheater,
existing urban layout. Vienna
The restoration of the Roman Theatre in
Medellin in Spain won in 2013 and was
one of the most significant exercises in
patrimonial recovery in Spain. Now it is
one of the region’s most visited sites.
The restoration and conservation of
the unique and completely movable
equipment of the 18th century baroque
Castle Theatre in Cesky Krumlov in the
Czech Republic won the award in 2002.
The neo-Renaissance theatre on the
main square of the historic town centre
of Prešov in Slovakia was built around
1880. It won an award in the category
conservation in 2004.
The striking Venetian Gothic and Oriental
façade and opulent interior décor of
the Urania National Film Theatre in
Budapest, Hungary was lovingly restored
and given new life. The 19th-century
cabaret and concert hall was awarded in
2005.
From 2002 to 2004, La Scala in Milan,
Italy underwent major rehabilitation
works, including the complete overhaul
of the technical layout of the stage. The
extensive work also won an award in 2005.
Lydía Koniórdou, the former
Minister of Culture for Greece, is Bergamo’s Teatro Sociale is a fine antique
wooden theatre “all’italiana” and was
a famous leading actor of classical built in 1804. It closed in 1929, functioning
theatre in Europe. In an interview thereafter as a cinema and exhibition hall.
By the end of the 20th century, it was in an
with Heritage in Action, she advanced state of decay and its elaborate
Lydía Koniórdou, the former Minister
of Culture for Greece, gave a theatre explains why the old plays are restoration won an award in 2014.
workshop during the European still relevant today. “I am so
Cultural Heritage Summit in June
2018, Berlin (photo by organising
thrilled by the words themselves;
organisation) the beauty, the depth of ideas,
26
treasure

Theatre in
Epidaurus, Greece

Across Europe, many civil society The Diazoma Association was

umbrella organisations are active in founded ten years ago and brings
the field of preserving, restoring and ancient theatres back to life with
invigorating old theatres in the heart performances, exhibitions and
of local communities. musical theatre. It helps with the
study, excavation, conservation,
Perspectiv, the Association of restoration and functional
Historic Theatres in Europe, incorporation of ancient theatres
has created a European Route in modern society. There are
of Historic Theatres which tells many different locations across
the history of Europe through its Greece where the organisation is
theatres. active at the moment: from the
www.erht.eu ancient theatre of Orchomenus in
The Union des Théâtres de Boeotia (A.G. Leventis Foundation
l’Europe has developed into an supported the restorations) and
alliance of European theatres the theatre in Ancient Messene to
combining artistic and political the world famous amphitheatre
Europa Nostra President Plácido Domingo in the Teatro de la goals, and uses existing artistic of Epidaurus. Stavros Benos, the
Zarzuela in Madrid in 2016 platforms to strengthen professional President of Diazoma: “I look upon
exchange and to promote an open these theatres as living organisms
Europe of culture. transmitting messages of knowledge,
www.union-theatres-europe.eu wisdom, aesthetics, harmony, and
dialogue with the environment and
The European Opera Centre was nature. I have always disagreed with
launched more than 20 years ago, the classic treatment of monuments
to help people with a high potential as museum pieces. It puts them
move from education to employment to one side, to the margins of our
in opera and to help develop era. It ignores their adaptability
audiences for opera. and harmonization with every
www.operaeurope.eu historical period. Ancient theatres
Operalia, The World Opera are unique examples of exceptional
Competition was founded by architecture. It is the culmination of
Maestro Plácido Domingo in 1993. the achievements of ancient Greek
Domingo is also President of Europa civilization, in other words, the best of
Nostra. Operalia aims to discover what the Greek spirit has to offer.”
and help launch the careers of the www.diazoma.gr
most promising young opera singers
(18-32) of today. Each year, the
Map of the European Route of Historical Theatres competition receives close to 1,000
applications.
www.operaliacompetition.org
 27

La Scala in Milan
the almost satanically complex
Europa Nostra
structure. It is like the pillars of Vice-President
the Parthenon. Not one of them Costa Carras during
the 2013 European
is exactly like the other. There are
Heritage Awards
no straight lines. The building Ceremony in the
changes when the light changes. Odeon of Herodes
Atticus, Athens
It is alive and not motionless. The
text of the classic plays is like that
as well. It is an adventure, a Wild
West, every time you wonder:
why did I not see that before?
The staging, the pronunciation,
the rhythm, the movements;
there are just too many rabbits
running in all directions. Some
verses were meant to be sung, not Ancient Greek, as does the lost most of its allure and the
spoken. It was a form of musical word ‘scene’. In the classical performers were often slaves or
theatre. It was a triangle, with Greek theatres, there were men down on their luck. Women
words & poetry, sound & music, backgrounds that could be rolled were not allowed on any official
and movement & dance. How do on and off the stage, trap doors stage in antiquity but they did
you know what to do on stage? to make people appear and perform in dance and mime
Personally, I believe you do not disappear and even elaborate acts in less formal venues in
have to explain everything. It tricks to make people fly. Much the rougher areas of town, ‘off-
needs a bit of abracadabra, of the like today, the playwrights and Broadway’ so to say.
magic of a magician.” actors (always male and wearing
masks) could be influential We have, in a sense - except
The word ‘theatre’, literally members of society. In Roman for improvements in gender
‘place for viewing’, comes from times, the profession had equality -, not come a long way
28 The Teatro Verdi
in Padua, Italy
treasure

The Concertgebouw since ancient times. Theatres Brecht, and Stravinsky; it is the buildings themselves have
in Amsterdam. are still deeply anchored in nearly impossible to discuss become increasingly important
The famous concert
hall was the setting European civilisation and local Europe’s culture without the as treasures of European
for the European communities, from shaky unique role of its theatres and heritage; from the ancient
Heritage Awards
performances on dingy stages in its artists, its music, its plays Odeon of Herodes Atticus in
Ceremony in 2011
back alleys to world-class shows and its performances. It is where Athens to La Scala in Milan, the
in the gold plated surroundings art meets the audience in its Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to
and red plush interiors of the most direct way. Although most the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe
national theatres. Shakespeare, acts only exist in the moment in Paris. Theatres, big and small,
Verdi, Chekhov, Beethoven, and the spoken word and the became a perfect treasury of our
Ibsen, Camus, Shaw, Mozart, music fades with the applause, tangible and intangible heritage.

Bourla Theater in
7 Most Endangered
Antwerp, Belgium
In 2014, the historic stage machinery (who nominated the theatre to be
of the Bourla theatre in Antwerp in included on the list) – on a study trip
Belgium was put on the list of Europe’s 7 to Britain, which undoubtedly led to
Most Endangered monuments and sites. new insights. All of this was made
The 7 Most Endangered programme is possible thanks to the cooperation and
an initiative of Europa Nostra and the expertise of Europa Nostra’s partner,
European Investment Bank Institute. the European Investment Bank
Institute. There was a great willingness
One of the main concerns was to make on all sides for a constructive dialogue
sure that potential restorations would over many years in full respect of
respect the historic theatre and the one another’s competencies and
historic value of the monument itself. responsibilities.
As foreseen in the procedure of the
7 Most Endangered programme, a In 2018 the resulting new master plan
group of European experts visited the for the restoration and development
theatre and had intensive discussions of the Bourla theatre and its unique
with the theatre management and city historic stage machinery has now
authorities. Following this meeting, been welcomed by all parties. The
Europa Nostra took representatives of implementation of this remarkable,
all partners – the City of Antwerp, the cooperative success will lead to the
Toneelhuis, the Flemish Agency for removal of the Bourla theatre from
Cultural Heritage, the Cabinet of the the list of the 7 Most Endangered
Minister-President and Perspektiv programme.
 Teatro Sociale in 29
Bergamo,

Most classic theatres are not

much to look at from the
outside, especially around the
back. Their architectural form
is very similar and hails back to
the 17th century. The facade often
reminds us of an ancient temple and mirrors. The auditorium centres of cultural exchange
and the entrance combines thick reveals the half circle of the stalls, and artistic cooperation
carpets with marble staircases the grand circle, and loges with across Europe. In the
and gold-painted ornaments rich decorations, red plush chairs, European Year of Cultural
between impressive chandeliers and heavy curtains. It is a very Heritage in which ‘sharing
specific and very European form heritage’ is such a central
of architecture. theme, the contribution of
European theatres is still
The theatres of Europe, ancient as vital as it was 2,500 years
and modern, have always been ago.

Donizetti Museum in
Bergamo
Teatro Lirico
Giuseppe Verdi in
Trieste, Italy
30

Neanderthals
lıvıng herıtage

A reappraisal of the first Europeans

When our ancestors first

migrated into Europe 43,000
years ago, either through
modern-day Turkey or
crossing from North Africa
into Spain, the continent
was mostly untouched with
incredible undiscovered riches
and unlimited potential.
The prehistoric immigrants
however, soon found that they
were not alone in this vast and of years earlier and had left
varied landscape. Communities their relatively small footprint
of other humanoids had already on their environment. The
made Europe their home, Neanderthals were the first to
settling in the warm lush valleys dig graves and inter their death,
of the south and the cold tundra they used fire and stone tools
of the north. They had colonised and even created colourful art on
the continent tens of thousands the walls of caves.
 Neanderthal 31
What happened next is still Museum in
a matter of heated debate. Mettmann,
Germany
Did modern man kill the
Neanderthals to get rid of
the competition or did they
hunt them for food? Did they
live peacefully together and
exchange knowledge and
skills? Did the Neanderthals
perhaps die out through
disease, much like the Native
Americans following the arrival
of European explorers? To
understand these questions we
must go back to the 19th century.

In 1856, workers in a limestone

quarry on the Düssel River, east

Joachim
Neander
(1650-80)

Original skeleton in
of Düsseldorf in Germany, found the Natural History
some interesting bones. The Museum, Vienna

place was locally known as the The Neander Valley

Neander Valley (Neanderthal),
named after Joachim Neander
(1650-80), a Calvinist
theologian and hymn writer
who was inspired by the valley’s
meandering stream and green
hills and wrote poetry and gave * The original finds
sermons there. can still be seen at
the Rheinisches
Landesmuseum in Bonn.
The limestone workers thought The Fuhlrott Association
and his museum in
the bones were from some kind
Wuppertal closed its
of bear and gave them to Prof. doors in 2008 but efforts
Dr. Johann Carl Fuhlrott to are still underway to
secure Fuhlrott’s legacy
study. He soon discovered they in otherThe Neander
museums and
were from an unknown human.* Valley
collections.
 The Krapina Neanderthal Site
32 and museum in Krapina, Croatia
is a recipient of the European
lıvıng herıtage

Heritage Label of the European

Union, celebrating sites of European
importance. Since 1899, the remains
of around 80 Neanderthals were
uncovered here, as well as the bones of
many animals, all dating as far back as
125,000 years ago.
It was a discovery that failed to has been proven that at least Europe, they are trying to put 33
have any impact: the teachings some modern humans and the Neanderthal sites of Europe
of the Bible did not leave any Neanderthals willingly or on the UNESCO World Heritage ** The Foundation
Neanderthal Museum
room for other humanoids and unwillingly created offspring list. Neanderthals are not the
also owns one of the
Charles Darwin’s publication and many modern Europeans ancestors of modern humans, largest picture archives
of the “Origin of Species” was are still 1.5–2.1 % Neanderthal. they are our lost cousins. And, of ice-age art, based on
the photographs of set-
still a few years away. It took for many Europeans, the genetic manager Heinrich Wendel
quite some time before the The story of the Neanderthal truth is that the Neanderthals who documented cave art
in France and Spain in the
Neanderthal was taken more ‘birthplace’ is kept alive by are literally a part of us. 1960s and 1970s.
seriously. It turned out they had the Neanderthal Museum**
been, unknowingly, discovered in Mettmann. Here you can
before, in 1829, when a skull visit the original site of the
was dug up in the Awirs caves in excavations. The Neander
Belgium. Little by little, more Valley is still important
skeletal remains were unearthed and new findings were
across Europe and questions made here in the 2000s.
about our relationship to these We now know that
humanoids were becoming more these Neanderthals were
complex. probably some of the last
of their kind and most
At first, our human cousins probably a family.
had a bad reputation of being
broad-shouldered simpletons,
grunting their way through
their short and animal-like
lives. Over time and thanks to
new research, the Neanderthal
has become more ‘human’. The
cultural heritage of our own
earliest ancestors is difficult
enough to unravel but we know
even less of our closest relatives.
Still, although the puzzle is
nowhere near finished, the
pieces are beginning to fall into
place. The remains found in
the UNESCO World Heritage The
Gorham’s Caves on the eastern museum
side of the Rock of Gibraltar shows the
show that Neanderthals lived Neanderthals
there for more than 100,000 in a way that is
years, an impressive testimony more reflective
to their endurance. Genetic of current
research has helped to change insights. Gone are
our views dramatically. A the ape-like goons;
2007 study suggested some now they are portrayed in
Neanderthals may have had a modern suit or as a happy
red or blonde hair, along with little girl with braids. The
a light skin tone. The entire museum shows us how closely
genome of a Neanderthal was related we are to them. Together
first sequenced in 2013. It with partners from across
34
culınary

Banquet Still Life

(1667) by Abraham
van Beyeren

A Place at the Royal Table

A special initiative on the menu for the European Year of Cultural Heritage
showcases Europe’s rich and diverse banquet of food and drink.

A “Place at the Royal Table” is a

project developed by the Network
of European Royal Residences
and combines the most glamorous
and celebrated heritage sites of
the continent with our tastiest
food and drink. The many links
and exchanges between the food
culture and culinary traditions of
different European Courts are an
intriguing part of our tangible and
intangible heritage. It is a recipe
made in heaven and a fascinating
trip through time. It is also a good
occasion to look at what the common
folk and the royals ate at any given
Workshop in King
Jan III’s Palace at time and how much their meals have
Wilanów (photos by M. changed over the centuries.
Mastykarz)

First, we have to realise that

Europe’s food security has
dramatically improved over the
 The House of European History
in Brussels organised a special
35
evening titled “Food - a history
of European encounters and
exchanges” on 8 May 2018 for the
European Year of Cultural Heritage
www.historia-europa.ep.eu

out of necessity. When in early

fairytales people got three
wishes, they did not ask for that it could double as a plate. For
exotic things, gold or precious the rich, the table was filled with
stones, they wished to eat until game, fish and fruits, wheat bread,
their bellies were full. salty butter and many kinds of
cheese. Rice only arrived late in
For common folk in medieval the Middle Ages from Italy. In the
centuries. Life was dependent times, meat was a treat – mostly north, people drank mostly beer, Member organisation
on a successful harvest and chicken and pork – and cereals in the south wine. In the north, Schönbrunn Palace,
Vienna
especially in spring when all were the staple food, often cooked, they used poppy oil or oils made of
the reserves were running in porridge or dissolved in some nuts, in the south mostly olive oil.
out, life was tough and society kind of spicy soup with beans Milk was not popular as it spoiled
was driving on fumes. It is no and vegetables such as carrots, too quickly and water was often
accident that Europe’s most leek, and cabbage. There were not a healthy alternative. Fruit and
prized and special products also different kinds of pasta and fruit juices were popular in certain
today are the result of trying filled pies. The poor would eat oat, regions. There was obviously no
to keep the precious food from rye, and barley. The well-to-do coffee or tea, but almond milk was
spoiling. Our dried hams and ate wheat, which was considered used for almost everything. The
sausages, our marmalades and more of a luxury item. The bread knowledge of herbs and spices still
cheeses, preserves, pickles was mostly unleavened, thin and made simple meals quite tasty.
and even biscuits were all born hard to digest. The upside was Sugar was rare and expensive
and seen more as a drug than an
ingredient. Only when the famous
sugarcane mills of Cyprus found a
better way to crush the plants did
it become available across Europe
at more affordable prices, creating
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
a historic wave of massive dental Mihailović, Secretary-
problems as our teeth began to fall General of Europa
Nostra, during
out. her speech at the
closing dinner of the
In the 14th century, our menu European Year of
Cultural Heritage,
started to change when the 10 December 2018,
Crusades brought knowledge Grand Trianon,
Versailles, France
of spices and products from the (photo by Didier
Orient to Europe. It also brought Saulnier)
36 A Place at the Royal Table
was launched 15 March with Member organisation
participatory activities in 21 Parques de Sintra
culınary

institutions in 12 European – Monte da Lua,

countries, including thematic Portugal
visits, conferences, workshops
and virtual exhibitions.

A European Open-Air Picnic

took place on 23 June across
Europe, coinciding with the
European Cultural Heritage
Summit in Berlin. One of the
picnics was organised in the
UNESCO listed Sanssouci
Palace in Potsdam. On table manners and etiquette developed. All these fundamental
#PalaceDay on 8 October, to the European table. Europe changes in the European diet
Michelin star chefs created a
special European menu and on became infatuated with exotic show how multi-layered and
10 December, a special European fruits and spices such as pepper, complex the history of food and
themed dinner was organised at
the Palace of Versailles. nutmeg, ginger, saffron, and drink really is. Many of our local
The Network of European
cinnamon. Coriander, cumin, specialties are connected to a
Royal Residences is a member anise, and mustard also found diverse history of exchanges and
of Europa Nostra and enables
its members to work together
their way into European interaction with other cultures in
and share their knowledge and kitchens and into our heritage. and outside of Europe. A “Place
experience in the preservation
When explorers started to sail at the Royal Table” shows the
and promotion of the rich
cultural heritage of more than across the world from the 15th diversity and splendour of royal
90 Royal Palaces across 15 century onwards, they brought culinary traditions in this wider
countries.
Oyster Lunch (1735) an even richer variety of foods European context. Through
by Jean-François de openagenda.com/a-place-at-the-
Troy royal-table such as potatoes, tomatoes, workshops, we can learn how to
peppers, and maize. The menu cook these dishes ourselves and
of the rich, as well as the poor, relive the historic meals at the
evolved dramatically from the most splendid palaces of Europe.
14th to the18th century. Produce There are few better or more
originating from the other side direct ways to experience cultural
of the world could now be found heritage. Thanks to this project
on our tables. Old traditions we can literally taste, smell, drink
disappeared and new ones and eat it.

At Grand Trianon (10/12) celebrating the EU/EN Grand Prix 2018 for the EPICO
Research Project, coordinated by Versailles: (from left to right) Laurent Salomé,
Director of the Versailles Castle; Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General
of Europa Nostra; Catherine Pégard, President of the “Etablissement public de
Versailles”; Etienne Poncelet, Chair of the Awards Jury (Category Research);
Néomie Wansart and Danilo Forleo, coordinators of the EPICO Project.
 37

konferans conference
18.12.2018 pera müzesi istanbul

learnıng from mıstakes

başarısızlıklardan öğrenmek
school of hard knocks
nasihate dönüşen
musibetler
maın sponsor organısatıon content consultants

ınternatıonal colleagues pr prıntıng

sponsor sponsor
38
feature

On 2 March 2018, President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcomed a delegation of Europa Nostra and the
Centre Européen de La Musique (CEM) in Bougival at the Elysee Palace in Paris (left to right) French journalist and heritage expert
Stéphane Bern; Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary-General of Europa; Maestro Plácido Domingo, President of Europa Nostra;
Jorge Chaminé, President of the Centre Européen de Musique (CEM); President Emmanuel Macron; Brigitte Macron; Hermann
Parzinger, incoming Executive President Europa Nostra; Denis de Kergorlay, outgoing Executive President Europa Nostra; pianist
Alfred Brendel and his wife Maria Majno; Alvaro Domingo and communication advisor of the French President Sylvain Port

Building Europe
through
Cultural Heritage
During the European Cultural Heritage Summit in Berlin in June 2018, many
European politicians, leaders and civil society organisations stressed the
importance of cultural heritage for the future of Europe. There was a strong
sense that culture and cultural heritage belong at the heart of the European
project. For the first time, many country leaders shared their personal vision of
a new European agenda based on our shared heritage and our shared values.
Emmanuel Macron, 39
President of France
(Text of his written message, read at the
European Cultural Heritage Summit, Berlin,
22 June 2018)

“As the basis for our European

cultural project, I did not want
to let this week pass without
sharing with you my convictions
on heritage.

First of all, when we are talking

about European heritage, we are
talking about our identity and
our future. My first conviction
is that if we are interested in
European heritage, and if we act
to move forward, we are making
a contribution to what I believe
is the essence of our project to
building Europe. With all our your languages, so different, Finally, I would like to mention Emmanuel Macron,
diversity, we are a community you are all gathered to call on the role that everyone can President of France
with Maestro Plácido
because we share this very decision-makers to respect and must play in this joint Domingo, President of
special link with our history, this common commitment. To endeavour. I hope that France Europa Nostra
with artistic creation, with the take into account a sustainable will make a concrete and
beauty that surrounds us, and heritage strategy that is deeply generous contribution to this
with our territories. It is not rooted in the programme and initiative. First of all, through
coincidental that “patrimoine” in the financial perspectives an initiative to mobilise French
in English refers to the notion of the European institutions. citizens in favour of heritage in
of “heritage.” Europe is the An approach that aims to danger, which Stéphane Bern* is
only continent that cannot be preserve what is unique and supporting. Secondly, I wanted to
defined only by its geography. Or irreplaceable, our heritage, and launch the “Assises européennes
rather: our European geography to put it at the service of new de la culture,” which will be held
is precisely culture. A common generations and a sustainable in France in autumn, and which
cultural past, which continues and socially inclusive quality will actively pace our work on
into a common future. We are of life. I would like to thank European culture. We want to
a community because we share most sincerely the associations, be proactive. We bring together
a dream and project to further symbolising the commitment, all the initiatives that make it
build, to build together. The which have taken the Berlin possible to reach the widest
slogan chosen for this European initiative and which welcome possible audience with a simple
Year of Heritage takes on its you today: Europa Nostra, DNK message: our imagination is
full meaning: “Our heritage, (Deutsches Nationalkomitee inspired by European culture, by
where the past meets the future.” für Denkmalschutz -, German its images, symbols, monuments,
Cherishing heritage, which is our Cultural Heritage Committee) music, and creations. If we
common legacy, and passing it on and SPK (Stiftung Preussischer allow this imaginary space to
to future generations. Kulturbesitz, Prussian Cultural develop and reach those who feel
Heritage Foundation). I also excluded, it will be as powerful,
* In 2018, Stéphane Bern
It is for this transmission thank Chancellor Angela Merkel if not more powerful, than any was awarded one of the
that I wish to salute your for her commitment to making Schengen area in building peace EU Prize for Cultural
Heritage / Europa Nostra
commitment. With your Berlin and Germany the first and prosperity on the European Awards for dedicated
professions, your origins, place to host this summit. continent. service
40 us as what belongs to others and
feature

what represents a memory shared

by all. How can we understand
Europe and the world without
this constant dialogue between
tradition and progress, or without
respecting differences? Or yet
without the understanding of
cultural roots, as well as of the
strength of artistic creativity and
scientific innovation?

The European Union’s decision

to dedicate the year of 2018 to
Cultural Heritage at a time of such
uncertainty and so many threats
constitutes a hallmark on the path
towards a European project of
peace, hospitality, mutual help,
human development and cultural
diversity. What is at stake here is
Marcelo Rebelo de Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, The goal of the European Year a free and responsible citizenship
Sousa, President
President of the Portuguese of Cultural Heritage is to raise and a union of free and sovereign
of the Portuguese
Republic, with film Republic our awareness of European states. A culture of peace can
director Wim Wenders (Text of his written message, read at the values, strengthening our only last if it is based on care and
during the Helena European Cultural Heritage Summit, Berlin,
Vaz da Silva European perception of an open European awareness, on knowledge and
22 June 2018)
Award, co-organised identity—open to the world. understanding, on creativity and
by Europa Nostra in
October 2017 (photo
The Berlin European Cultural Cultural identity, intercultural the ability to innovate.
Márcia Lessa) Heritage Summit, promoted dialogue and solidarity, as well
by Europa Nostra, the German as the interconnection between This is indeed the greatest
Cultural Heritage Committee Culture, Education and Science, challenge that the current
and the Prussian Cultural must be particularly stressed European Year of Cultural
Heritage Foundation, under the nowadays. That is what is stated Heritage places before us, a
motto Sharing Heritage, Sharing in the Framework Convention challenge which naturally
Values, constitutes a high point on the Value of Cultural addresses the institutions of
in the European Year of Cultural Heritage for Society, signed in civil society, the schools, the
Heritage. the Portuguese city of Faro in universities, the intellectuals,
2005: the notion of a shared the artists, the scientists, but
From the very beginning I have cultural heritage demands an ultimately each and every
fully supported and closely active citizenship and a shared European— to share our cultural
followed the various initiatives responsibility, involving the heritage, share the values of our
in this context, as a contribution protection of material heritage, civilization, preserve the collective
towards the establishment monuments, libraries, archives, memories of our peoples and
of a culture of peace based landscapes and nature, but also plan ahead for the future of our
on the understanding of our the valuing of contemporary cultural heritage. Because cultural
common cultural roots, as well creativity. Cultural heritage heritage is not just made of what
as the safeguard of what we has to do with the permanence has lasted and survived, but also of
have inherited from previous of shared values but also with everything that, while reflecting
generations, thus enriching our the safeguard of differences, our past history, is also able to
own legacy for the future. by respecting as much what is express innovation, creativity and
exclusive and specific to each of a vision for the future.
Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier, 41
Federal President of Germany
(Text of his speech, delivered at the
European Heritage Awards Ceremony,
Berlin, 22 June 2018)

European cultural heritage: to

those who consider themselves
progressive, may sound terribly
boring and backward-looking. It
conjures up images of old stones,
stuffy museums and interminable
guided tours given by staff who
reel off long lists of dates and
royal lineages. However, cultural
heritage is, in fact, a crucial
subject if we are to ensure the
future is good for Europe and
worth living for all Europeans.
This has been made painfully
obvious in the past few months:
Europe urgently needs to regain
its focus. It needs to agree on
what it wants and what it can do, with new life. Time and again, is people who are the heart of our Dr. Frank Walter
Steinmeier, Federal
it has to make certain of its own our common heritages served as reflections: What is the human
President of Germany,
strengths and capabilities, it has inspiration and encouragement, being? What should human beings during his speech
to acquire new self-confidence, it yardstick and lodestar. This be doing in this world? What can at the European
Heritage Awards
has to strengthen its cohesion, it can perhaps be most clearly people believe, what can they Ceremony in Berlin,
has to take its political future in seen in art and architecture. know, what can they hope for? 22 June 2018
its own hands. If to this end, we The Romanesque masterpieces How should people live together,
want to rediscover the values for along the Rhine and in Burgundy how can they coexist? Europe and
which Europe and the community would have been inconceivable European culture have always
of Europeans stands, Europe’s without the Roman structures sought to make humans the
cultural heritage is a key point that preceded them. The spread measure of all its endeavours.
of reference, a wellspring of of Gothic art from Paris to It is a quest that will never end.
inspiration and strength for the Rostock, the height of modernity But the opposite – hubris or an
future. in the twelfth century, would, in absence of benchmarks – can lead
turn, have been inconceivable to the most terrible errors and
In Europe, crises have repeatedly without the Romanesque works atrocious crimes.
provided the impetus for that went before. And the
renewal. Dire need and dangerous Baroque style which flourished in We know that the Europe of
situations have time and again Europe from Spain to Lithuania temples and cathedrals is also
driven people to hone their again borrowed elements from the Europe of witch hunts and
abilities and develop new antiquity and yet constituted concentration camps. European
instruments. New forms of something totally new. Similar history always provides
political organisation and social developments can be traced in solace and serves as a grim
coexistence have emerged from European music, in literature, reminder, it is both a warning
the ashes of war and conflict, by and in the visual arts. Europe is and encouragement. There are
older sources, by Judaeo-Christian a continent of constant renewal, of course a number of quotes
traditions, ancient philosophy, not although but because it is also from Goethe which form part
and Roman law, sources which a continent of remembrance, of of Germany’s cultural heritage,
have constantly been infused historical awareness. Each time it even when taken out of context.
42 Even if we think we know them see today. And try to understand conserve our heritage. We must
feature

all too well, they are still capable the story that is being told – the take systematic steps to preserve
of putting things new light, even colourful story, full of twists, by our historical monuments. There is
if, like this one, they have been turns cruel and tragic, but equally nothing backward-looking
pressed into service by witty often proud and noble, a story about that, either. The preservation
lawyers giving workshops on told in Europe by every church of our heritage is, in fact, a
inheritance matters, with no and every town hall, by each creative step that enriches our
concern for their real meaning. palace and landscaped park, by understanding of ourselves and
These famous words come from the monasteries, the fortresses, strengthens our ability to meet the
Faust, Part I:“What you inherit the bridges and market squares, challenges of the future.
from your father must first be the towers, the railway stations
earned before it’s yours.” If we and the grand hotels. “Earn it,” Cultural heritage may appear boring
apply this quote to cultural reminds us our inheritance is at first glance, but look closer, and
heritage, it has much to say not a gift. These words exhort you realise it is not. It is a source of
about cultural education and us to learn about it, to prove fascinating stories, not just about
policy. “Earn it.” In other words, ourselves ready for it. They mean the past, but also about us, today.
understand the value of the we should become familiar with And it makes you curious to know
things you have, things you were all those things that have had a how things will go on from here. It
first granted through no merit profound influence on our old and places us under an obligation to pass
of your own. Try to imagine how yet still young continent. If we on a vibrant legacy, a good Europe,
they came about, the thoughts wish history to serve as a useful to our children and our children’s
and ideas that led to what you guide for the future, we must first children.

(from left to right) Ion

Dumitrel, President of lasting legacy of the European
Alba County Council,
Year of Cultural Heritage.
Rev. Lucian Pop,
Bishop of Mariamme
and Greek-Catholic Romania is a firm supporter of
Curial Bishop of
Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, our joint efforts to consolidate
HE Klaus Iohannis, the European Project. To
President of Romania,
this end, it is my belief that
Rev. Irineu Pop,
Orthodox Archbishop culture and cultural heritage
of Alba Iulia and Vice- are essential pillars of our
President of Europa
Nostra Piet Jaspaert endeavour towards the
during the local award sustainable development of our
ceremony of the
European Heritage
Union.
Award for the Cultural
Palace, located in I take this opportunity to
historic centre of Blaj,
Romania (May 2018) acknowledge the importance
of protecting the fundamental
achievements and principles
of the European Union. This
shared heritage is a very
Klaus Werner Iohannis, authorities together with the valuable resource. I would
President of Romania commitment of the civil society, like to assure you that these
(Text of his written message, read at the for advancing an ambitious significant values will be
European Cultural Heritage Summit, Berlin, European Agenda and Action responsibly and diligently
22 June 2018)
Plan for Cultural Heritage, is promoted during the Romanian
I strongly believe that linking of paramount importance. I Presidency of the Council of the
the responsibilities of the public am confident that this will be a European Union.
Xavier Bettel, The video message 43
of Xavier Bettel,
Prime Minister of Luxembourg Prime Minister of
(Text of his video message, shown at the Luxembourg
Berlin Summit, 22 June 2018)

My country, Luxembourg is at a
crossroads of European nations
and identities.

As Prime Minister and Minister

of Culture in Luxembourg, I
am aware that it is of utmost
importance for Europe to
raise awareness of cultural
heritage and the values linked
to it through initiatives like
the European Year of Cultural and sustainable management Cultural heritage is so much
Heritage and this European and raise awareness of the more than a sector. It embraces
Summit in Berlin. relevance of cultural heritage all segments of our lives and
as an expression of our cultural our society. It reflects core
Our cultural heritage - in all diversity and our shared values. European values and
its richness and diversity - contributes to a better and
reflects our common European Cultural heritage plays an stronger Europe.
history. As such, our cultural important role in the social
heritage constitutes a source of cohesion of a European Union You can count on my personal
shared remembrance, identity rich in diversity. At a time support and on the support of
and dialogue in Europe. For when different forces are trying my government for promoting At the European
Heritage Awards
this reason, cultural heritage to divide European citizens, a new narrative for Europe Ceremony in
needs to be put at the centre cultural heritage is an antidote based on culture and cultural Berlin, 22 June
2018 (left to right)
of national, European and to these old and new demons heritage and for developing
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
international policies. of extremism and populism. an ambitious European Action Mihailović, Secretary-
Whereas these dangerous forces Plan for Cultural Heritage General of Europa
Nostra; Barbara
We all have a shared try to separate us, our shared as a lasting legacy of our Rüschoff-Parzinger;
responsibility to recognise its cultural heritage and shared European Year of Cultural Hermann Parzinger,
Executive President
importance, ensure its protection values bring us closer together. Heritage.
Europa Nostra and
President of the
Stiftung Preussischer
Kulturbesitz (SPK);
Marta Domingo;
Maestro Plácido
Domingo, President
of Europa Nostra;
Elke Büdenbender;
Dr. Frank Walter
Steinmeier, Federal
President of
Germany; Martina
Münch, President
of the German
Cultural Heritage
Committee (DNK);
Tibor Navracsics, EU
Commissioner for
Education, Culture,
Youth and Sport;
Uwe Koch, Executive
Officer of the German
Cultural Heritage
Committee (DNK)
 “Sharing Heritage is
44
partner

Vital to Europe’s Future”

Interview with Dr. Uwe Koch, German Cultural
Heritage Committee, national coordinator of the
European Year of Cultural Heritage in Germany.

Uwe Koch welcoming

participants at
the Open Heritage
Evening on the
Museum Island
Dr. Uwe Koch has been Yes, very much so and I hope it is pretty obvious and these 45
instrumental in putting the that the Year helped people interactive connections are
idea of the European Year to realise how much of our easily discovered?
of Cultural Heritage on the cultural heritage is the result
European agenda and has been of a dense network of cultural I think we do need to emphasise
teaming up with Europa Nostra links and relationships. these connections, maybe now
and the Stiftung Preussischer Europe’s identity was shaped more than ever. Many of the
Kulturbesitz to organise the and enriched through cultural historical ideas about heritage
European Cultural Heritage exchange, generating an are the result of a centuries-long
Summit in Berlin in June 2018 enormously wealthy diversity. process called dissociation. The
and the presentation of the For centuries, our continent has rise of nationalism in the 19th
Berlin Call to Action. been crisscrossed by trading century marked a turning point
routes, followed by many other in my opinion. We started to
Koch has been leading the forms of mutual influence, concentrate on the differences
Deutschen Nationalkomitee especially ideas. Let me give you between nations and on a form
für Denkmalschutz (German two examples. For a long time, of national identity. We wanted
Cultural Heritage Committee) Flanders was the marketplace to separate from our neighbours
or DNK since 2015 and he and of the whole Christian world. who had always been culturally
his dedicated team were keen to Genovese, Venetian, Florentine, close. Let me illustrate this
spread their message of ‘Sharing Spanish and French merchants with an example. During
Heritage’ across Europe. We were present there, as were the the process of the German
caught up with him to discuss cogs of the German merchants national unification in the 19th
the deeper motives behind the and the English, Scots, century – a slow and difficult
European Year and his personal Irish, Dutch, and Frisians. process vigorously pushed
commitment. Merchandise from the Levant, by the Prussian leadership –
the Baltic region and Russia Gothic art was declared the
One of the important issues bore witness to the enormous ‘national style’. Finishing
Europa Nostra stressed in this distance over which this Gothic cathedrals, for instance
European Year is that almost exchange took place. Flemish in Cologne, became a matter of
all our cultural heritage is painting and architecture national pride and commitment.
layered and complex and the spread far across Europe It was a way to show the masses
result of European connections, where its style was selectively that Germany and France were
influence, and inspiration. I adopted and adapted. Another very different countries with
believe that is something you example - from the Baltic region a different heritage. It was not
are also very vocal about? - is the beautiful 12th-century just a German phenomenon.
baptismal fonts from the Isle of Portraying national identity and
Gotland which demonstrate the cultural greatness in paintings,
flowering of stone-masonry at buildings and memorials are
that time. Their iconographic typical of the 19th and early 20th
diversity shows the cultural centuries. It has shaped a sense
influences from Western Europe of nationalism for generations.
on the one hand and Russia The results were devastating;
and the Byzantine Empire on wars and conflicts, millions
the other - an artistic exchange of people killed, innumerable
based on trade relations in the works of culture lost or
early years of the Hanseatic destroyed. I think the greatest
League. victory of our era is that we have
found a new way - learning the
So why do we still need to lessons of two devastating world
emphasise this message in the wars and numerous conflicts –
21st century? You would think to create a historically unique
46
partner

Lydía Koniórdou, the

former Minister of
Culture for Greece,
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
Mihailović, Secretary-
general of Europa
Nostra and Uwe
Koch, Head of the
German Cultural
Heritage Committee
(DNK). Koniordou
signs the Berlin Call
to Action during the
European Cultural
Heritage Summit
in June 2018,
Berlin. Koniordou
is currently the
President of the
Stavros Niarchos
Foundation Cultural
Center (SNFCC) in
Athens, Greece

cooperation, a large-scale peace pot of cultural identities, do make an effort to understand our
project through economic you mean working towards neighbours’ perspective and to
interaction. This is why in some kind of uniform European explain our perspective to them.
2012 the EU was rightfully culture? To find a way to share a collective
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. responsibility for preserving our
As a person who grew up in a No, certainly not. I propose cultural heritage and to teach
divided, cold war Germany, I am a different way of looking about it, to educate ourselves and
convinced ever more strongly at heritage, to approach it others, to have open discussions,
that we should focus on the fact from a different angle. Not to especially in border areas. To
that our cultural heritage is of concentrate on what divides create an understanding of the
different historical, cultural and us, but on what unites us must long and sometimes painful
ethnic origins and cannot be be the driving force behind path to peaceful co-existence. It
traced to just one nation or one discovering, unlocking and is not an easy fix which can be
group. Europe is a melting pot sharing our heritage. We need accomplished in a short time. We
of different cultural identities it as a foundation for living need smart strategies and long-
and this should not be feared but together and developing a shared term resources.
celebrated. Cities such as Lviv, sense of identity. This is not
Trieste, Toledo, Wroclaw, and about constructing uniformity, How can this European sense of
Plovdiv are all clear examples almost the opposite. It is about identity be reconciled with the
of this multi-layered European rediscovering what we have in strong emotions towards local,
heritage. Historic routes of trade common in Europe, despite our regional or national identity?
and cultural transfer like the local, regional and even national
Alpes, the river Danube and the diversity and differences. Part of Usually, people refer to the
Via Regia mark such places of that discussion, as the Viennese concept of ‘home’ in local
exchange too. historian Wolfgang Schmale once or national terms. Recently,
said, is realising our differences the German word ‘Heimat’,
If you talk about this melting- and accepting them. We have to which roughly translates to
“homeland”, has experienced a 47
somewhat questionable revival.
Many European citizens do
not think of Europe as their
‘home’ and the question is, in
this globalised world, how we
can bridge that gap. That is
why our theme of the Year was
‘Sharing Heritage’. I believe
that ‘Sharing Heritage’ is vital
to Europe’s future. We need it
to build up our common future.
European cultural heritage is
exciting and enriching, but often
also ambiguous, uncomfortable
and controversial. In Germany,
we tackled this challenge with
five related themes which all
focussed on different aspects of
our European connections, from
border regions to historical trade
relations, from the melting-
pot of European cities to the
collective commemoration of
European wars and conflicts and So what do you hope the Year promote our European (from left to right)
Monica Grütters,
to the different ways in which will accomplish in the long run? cultural identity; the Minister of State
European citizens interact with European Capitals of Culture for Culture and
cultural heritage. We had more I hope that many of the ideas programme which showcases Media; Martina
Münch, President
than 500 registered projects, and projects, especially the the historical and cultural of DNK; Carsten
which were all officially part ones involving young people, influences of European cities Brosda, Senator for
Cultural affairs and
of the European Year. On our will develop into something and last but not least the media of the City of
website Sharingheritage.de, you permanent beyond 2018. recently inaugurated House of Hamburg, and Petra
can find all the details of the We also need the existing European History in Brussels Kammerevert, Chair
of the EP Committee
themes and the projects. programmes which focus on our which pursues a brilliant and on Culture and
European connections to reach modern educational approach Education

A symbolic project for me their full potential in the years to a new understanding of
personally was ‘Ringing the Bells to come, such as the European European history. I hope that
for Peace’. Over the centuries Heritage Label, which highlights all these existing initiatives
many bells were destroyed sites that stand for European will be enhanced by many
to make cannons. Bells are unification, our common values, other projects and educational
tangible as well as intangible history and culture; the EU programmes across Europe,
heritage and their clear sound Prize for Cultural Heritage with the involvement of many
resonates through cities and the which is organised by our different disciplines and wide
countryside and across borders. colleagues of Europa Nostra political support on all levels.
We asked everyone to ring their and which celebrates and shares Culture and cultural heritage
bells together for our peace the impact of the preservation belong in the heart of the
and for our heritage on 21 of of heritage monuments and European project and in the
September 2018, International sites on the lives of Europeans; heart of all Europeans.
Peace Day. We need such the Cultural Routes and the
narratives of sharing heritage. European Heritage Days of sharingheritage.de
the Council of Europe which
48
lıvıng herıtage

Connecting the Dots

The European Cultural Routes give us an opportunity to
rediscover Europe as a dense network of historic connections.

recognised as the very first

official European Cultural Route
of the Council of Europe*.
The Compostela pilgrim routes
Landscape of the Way
of St. James in the illustrate “a collective memory,
north of Spain crisscrossed by roads and paths
which overcome distances,
frontiers and language barriers.”
It is a shiny, heavily decorated The Way is a prime example
St. James by passageway in the heart of the of how our European cultural
Rembrandt van Rijn
Cathedral on Obradoiro Square. heritage is interconnected
The stairs descend along gold- and related and how it links
covered walls to the holiest place Europeans of very different
of Santiago de Compostela, backgrounds, nationalities, and
Spain. Here, behind iron bars, beliefs.
we finally stand face to face
with a silver reliquary, allegedly In the 30 years that followed,
containing the remains of the 30 new routes have been
apostle St. James the Great and registered, all sharing cultural
his two disciples. For many heritage through journeys of
pilgrims walking the Way of wonder and discovery. More
St. James, or the Camino de will undoubtedly follow in the
Santiago, the shrine of Jesus’ years to come. They each show
apostle is the emotional end in their own way how much
of a physical and spiritually of our European history and
challenging journey. heritage is the result of complex
cultural exchanges. The
The long and winding roads European Cultural Routes allow
that lead to Santiago from all participants to follow the trail
over Europe were - in 1987 - of the Vikings across Europe
 49

The Way of St.James whole way, from one official stop The Cathedral seen
The four original pilgrims’ to the next. The Way of St. James from de Praza de
Quintana de Mortos
routes - listed in the Codex has become one of the most
Calixtinus, published in 1140 celebrated symbols of Europe’s
and still considered to be the cultural heritage and an
official guidebook – started important flywheel for positive
in France and converged at change for local economies and
Puente la Reina, not far from communities.
or make the same journeys Pamplona. From there, the
that Wolfgang Amadeus route continued through the As with the story of the Holy
Mozart did throughout his North of Spain to Compostela. Grail, the origins of the Way
life. We can visit Art Nouveau In the 19th century the Way of of St. James are a complex and
cities or enjoy the network St. James was rediscovered, fascinating collection of historic
of historic thermal towns. but by the 1970s only a few hearsay and jumps of faith of
All these different cultural pilgrims were inspired to take Olympic proportions.
routes create jobs, give new up the challenge. Slowly but
life to local industries and help surely, however, the routes St. James the Great was one
communities to protect their were restored and rediscovered. of the Twelve Apostles and
local cultural heritage. They are The route was inscribed on the according to legend he travelled
prime examples of a win-win UNESCO World Heritage list. to Spain to spread the good
approach. The routes can also Nowadays many hundreds of word. In around the year 44 he
offer interesting alternatives thousands walk the Way or was beheaded in Jerusalem. His
for some overexposed heritage rather Ways of St. James as there body was returned to Spain by
destinations such as Venice, are many different routes. Every his two disciples. They landed
Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik. year more visitors, especially at the small harbour town of
from the Americas, follow the Iria Flavia (now Pádron), from
Let us take a closer look at some famous scallop shell signs – the where the Saint was transported
of the fascinating and eye- historic emblem of the road – to a cemetery inland. Due to the
opening journeys starting with and receive their Credentials persecution of the Christians
the one that started it all. to prove they are walking the by the Romans, his tomb was
50
lıvıng herıtage

abandoned in the 3rd century.

Six centuries later, in 814, the
local hermit Pelagius witnessed
strange lights and noises
coming from the ancient Celtic
site, where the tombs of St.
Vienna Central James and his two disciples St. James routes over the years. still sharing our towns and
Cemetery
were rediscovered. The place “Some associations of friends of villages in the thousands of often
became known as Santiago the Way of St. James trace routes ornamental cemeteries across
de Compostella. The early alternatives. But we can not Europe. The prime examples
pilgrims may have used the old prevent them from borrowing of this tangible and intangible
and relatively safe Roman road or tagging them by alleging they funerary heritage are now linked
through the mountains for their are not historic. Moreover, this is through a European route which
pilgrimage to the tomb. This how the paths historically arose: makes the historical connection
route is still known today as the simply because pilgrims used between the living and the dead
‘Old Camino’ and leads along the them.” come ‘alive’.
North via Vitoria-Gasteiz and
Aguilar de Campoo to Villafranca European Cemeteries Route European Jewish Heritage Route
del Bierzo. Throughout the In the last week of May and The Jewish people have
centuries, pilgrims from across the first week of June 2018, been victims of some of the
Europe found their own Way to the European Heritage Route darkest human behaviour in
Santiago. organised the successful European history. When after
Week of Discovering centuries of discrimination and
Today, many municipalities European Cemeteries with persecution it seemed almost
dream to see a section of the road the participation of 63 cities impossible for humanity to
pass through their territory. A in 21 countries, especially for sink any deeper, World War II
marked route attracts tourists the European Year of Cultural brought unimaginable horrors,
and boosts the local economy Heritage. a permanent reminder that our
with or without actual historical society continuously needs
roots. The Spanish heritage It is an unmistakable fact checks and balances on every
expert José Maria Ballester that dead Europeans greatly level to safeguard and protect
– a Europa Nostra Honorary outnumber the living, a fact every minority.
Life Member in recognition of that the Council of Europe
his 40 years of distinguished euphemistically calls an Jewish heritage is an integral
service – has closely observed ‘anthropological reality’. part of Europe’s culture and
the development of the different Millions of our ancestors are the Cultural Route shows
 between the cultures of Anglo- 51
Saxon Europe and Latin Europe.
Today’s travellers can follow
this 1,800 km journey through
England, France, Switzerland,
and Italy and rediscover our
shared European history. The
route was added to the European
Cultural Routes in 1994.

The Roma
The Roma people have endured
long-standing persecution and
discrimination in Europe but
nonetheless have exerted a deep
influence on the continent’s
the immense contribution culture. Roma music and dance,
of Jewish communities to a central element of their
European heritage. The community’s culture, have,
route includes archives and for instance, greatly inspired
libraries, specialised museums, some of Europe’s most popular
archaeological sites, historic composers. Robert Louis
synagogues and cemeteries and Stevenson
photographed by
Jewish quarters. It allows the The proposed Roma route Henry Walter Barnett
travellers to experience Jewish not only celebrates Europe’s
culture up close. largest ethnic minority in its
own right but also demystifies
For the European Year of Roma people and addresses
Cultural Heritage, a special misapprehensions about them.
European Story Telling Jewish The route will encourage
Heritage Festival was organised direct people-to-people contact
from 2 September to 29 October between Roma and non-Roma.
to celebrate Jewish storytelling The idea was launched during
in places of tangible Jewish Slovenia’s chairmanship
heritage, creating a fruitful friend Walter Simpson, mostly of the Council of Europe in
dialogue between young people along the Oise River in France. 2007 and has a specifically
and older people. Following historic travelogues European dimension, geared
is increasingly popular with towards sharing the Roma
Robert Louis Stevenson tourists. They not only give experience across Europe. The
Just like the Wolfgang Amadeus the chance to go on a historical Cultural Routes can be a strong
Mozart route, the Stevenson adventure but also document instrument in raising awareness
route gives you the opportunity how much Europe’s landscape and promoting Roma inclusion
to follow the path of a young has changed over the centuries. as well as linking various
artist through Europe. In important Romani cultural
Stevenson’s case, it is not so The Via Francigena locations around Europe. The
much a path as a river and The Via Francigena was a European Parliament has also
an ode to the great outdoors. pilgrim route from Canterbury long supported and helped to
The route roughly follows in the UK to the Holy See coordinate initiatives aimed
Stevenson’s book “An Inland and the tombs of the apostles at combating discrimination
Voyage” (1878), which describes Peter and Paul in Rome. The against the Roma people. The
a canoeing trip with his Scottish road formed a cultural bridge initiative uses culture as a way
52
lıvıng herıtage

El Sénia’s ancient
olive trees in Spain

Other famous routes and winners of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/ Europa Nostra Awards
Little of Europe’s natural environment 14th century, a “letter of the forbidden forest Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra
is original. Most of it has been adapted (carti de paduri oprite)” was issued, which Guy Clausse: “I would like to see more
and changed, sometimes dramatically, by states that you cannot hunt, fish, cut trees, cooperation between Europa Nostra and the
humans since the time we first set foot on the graze cattle or pick fruits and mushrooms Council of Europe to identify the overlaps
continent. Once, almost all of Europe was without the owner’s permission. between the Cultural Routes (“lines on a map”)
forest and marshland and over thousands The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and of the European Heritage Awards and the
of years, those natural resources were combine the works of nature and the works of 7 Most Endangered sites (“dots on a map”).
transformed into ships, fuel, houses, and man and put cultural heritage into Europe’s Let me give you some examples: the Subotica
paper. Only pockets of original wild forest wider landscape and natural history. The Synagogue, one of our showcase projects,
remain in Europe. Estonia, the Principality of Council of Europe Cultural Routes is however and the Jewish Heritage route, which includes
Liechtenstein and Russia have proportionally just a small fraction of the many cultural Serbia. Equally Briançon and the Vauban and
the most virgin forest. Many of these forests routes in Europe. Over the years, many Wenzel Itineraries. There is a European Route
are however severely threatened, for instance winners of the European Union Prize for of Historic Theatres (www.historic-theatres-
in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards route.eu) – see elsewhere in this magazine
Interestingly, one of the first examples of have been connected to the restoration and ed.) and our other 7Most Endangered showcase
protection also comes from Romania. In the preservation of historical roads and trails. project, the Bourla Theater in Antwerp.”

of breaking down traditional community. The Cultural Route That is why cultural heritage has
barriers between Roma and could be a valuable asset to the a key role to play in building a
non-Roma. However, the Roma Institute in working towards cohesive, resilient, united Europe,”
Route is unfortunately still in achieving these goals. said Tibor Navracsics, European
development. The necessity of Commissioner for Education,
increased cooperation between Western Balkan Routes Culture, Youth, and Sport.
all of the stakeholders is clear. The European Union works
in close cooperation with The cooperation not only
The European Roma Institute the Council of Europe in the encompasses the regional
for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) establishment of the Western cultural heritage but also
was launched in Berlin in Balkan Routes. EU High promotes its cultural and
2017. It is a historical and Representative/Vice-President creative industries.
ground-breaking initiative that Federica Mogherini stated:
demonstrates how Roma history “The Western Balkans are part Hansa Routes
and culture are an integral part of Europe. We all belong to the Being a trader in 13th-century
of European cultural heritage. same European family. We share Europe was not for the faint-
It is a joint initiative of the a common history and cultural hearted. Any bay or island could
Council of Europe, the Open heritage. We share the same hide blood-thirsty and cash-
Society Foundations, and the interests in the present, and we strapped pirates who would
Roma Leaders’ initiative. In will share a common future inside rob honest merchants of their
facilitating activities in the our European Union.” precious cargo. Land routes
fields of the arts, culture, history were not much better. The
and the media, the Institute “Cultural heritage helps us learn abundant forests were teeming
aims to increase the self-esteem about each other and ourselves. with bandits and plunderers,
of Roma people and to reduce It builds bridges between people, sometimes even groups of
the negative prejudice of the between communities – and soldiers and mercenaries down
majority population towards the between the past and the future. on their luck. All prosperous
Some of the European Heritage 53
Award winning routes:
The Italian volunteer organisation,
the Iubilantes Association won
the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage
/ Europa Nostra Awards in 2014
in the category Dedicated Service.
Iubilantes recovers, restores and
returns forgotten footpaths, tracks,
and routes to public use. They have
re-established pilgrim paths in
the Lombardy region and ensured
wider links with routes of historic
pilgrimages across Europe and
beyond, including in Russia, Armenia,
Israel and Ethiopia. The restoration
process includes not only the paths
themselves but also monuments and
structures in the surrounding areas.
The historical landscape of El
Sénia’s ancient olive trees in Spain
won the Prize in 2014. The 4,700
monumental trees may date back
to the Roman Via Augusta. These
beautiful examples of living heritage
have survived for an amazing length
of time and still produce excellent oil.
The organisation has created many
different walking routes of discovery.
Historical route of the lines of
Torres Vedras in Portugal also
won in 2014. This defensive system
of 19th-century forts covers a total
distance of some 100km. They were
left abandoned for almost 200 years
but now they have been restored
and opened up to the general public
through special walking trails.
The King’s Little Pathway in El
Chorro Gorge in Spain won the Prize
in 2016. The spectacular walkway
through a narrow gorge was originally
constructed in the early 20th century
to enable the population of the small
village El Chorro to quickly walk to
the hydroelectric plant where they
were employed, avoiding the long
journey around the mountain.
The King’s Road across Filefjell in
Norway won last year, in 2017. This
historic walking trail winds through
the breathtaking landscape of the
mountainous Filefjell. Since it was
first built in the 1790s, the Road
served as an important link between
Eastern and Western Norway. In
2009, the Norwegian Public Road
Administration together with several
partners formally started a project
to re-establish and revitalise this
forgotten road.
Fundación de los Ferrocarriles
Españoles in Spain won a medal
in 2004. Since 1993, the Spanish
Railways Foundation (FFE) has
coordinated and promoted the Vias
Verdes (the Spanish Greenways
Programme) in Spain, which The King’s Little
redevelops railway infrastructure Pathway in El
in disuse as routes for cycling and
Chorro Gorge in
walking.
Spain
54
Hanseatic city
lıvıng herıtage

of Bergen in
Norway

working together in guilds, or member cities themselves and

Hansa as they were called in reached from Portugal and Italy
German. Lübeck established to Russia and Scandinavia. They
a partnership with Hamburg could and would implement
(still officially the Free and economic embargoes and fight
Hanseatic City of Hamburg) to protect the Hansa’s interest
and Cologne and later opened a across Europe. Nothing lasts
trading post in London. Soon, forever and with the changing of
a loose cooperation of cities Europe’s political structure, the
was spreading across Europe cities started to lose their grip.
and changing the tricks of the By the mid-17th century, it was
trade. This new powerhouse of all over.
the Hansa cities was the first
European alliance and deeply In 1980, the Dutch town of
Hanseatic city of
Zutphen in the cities in the northern part of influenced the history of Europe Zwolle suggested bringing the
Netherlands Europe faced the same problems for centuries. In its heyday, Hansa League back to life to
Map of the Hansa of piracy, unprotected trade the League had more than 200 promote free trade and peace as
route
routes, badly marked roads and members and supported their well as cultural, economic and
unsafe navigation. own armies and, in much the social cooperation. The network
same way that today’s ships are now consists of over 178 cities
The city of Lübeck started to protected from Somalian pirates, in 16 countries, a significant
think that the solution should supplied vessels with armed number of which are UNESCO
be found in cooperation. And guards to fend off intruders. World Heritage.
so, more than 700 years before
the European Coal and Steel Although the heart of the Hansa The Hansa Cities route was
Community (ECSC) was League was in north-western officially established in 1991
established, several cities in the Europe, the cities’ sphere of and allows travellers relive the
northern part of Europe started influence went well beyond the Hanseatic spirit.
 55
Hanseatic
warehouse in
King’s Lynn, UK

* Since 1998 the Cultural Routes programme is

European Institute implemented by the European Institute of Cultural
of Cultural Routes, Routes, located in the Abbaye de Neumünster
located in the Abbaye in Luxembourg. They work closely with the
de Neumünster in European Union on the Routes4U Programme to
Luxembourg foster regional economic development and promote
tourism across Europe, often in cooperation with the
European Regional Development Fund. Stefano
Dominioni is the Director of the European Institute
of Cultural Routes. On the Routs4U Project website
he explains his enthusiasm for his mission: “The
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme
is a fascinating programme connecting European
culture, its history and people through space and
time. The Programme provides a unique reading of
Europe as a continent of shared history, traditions
and cultural heritage, representative of our cultural
diversity in a spirit of constant intercultural dialogue.
The programme represents the opportunity for our
citizens to participate in the heritage of a wider Europe,
which includes the 47 Member States of the Council of
Europe. The Cultural Routes Programme, celebrating
its 30th Anniversary, presents European history under
a variety of fascinating themes and perspectives: arts
and architecture, history and religious traditions,
European landscapes, as well as important historical
figures who have marked the history of our continent.”

** The Network for Cultural Routes Studies (NCRS)

is a platform for exchange and mobility for students
and researchers and ensures a permanent interaction
between the European Institute of Cultural Routes
(EICR), universities and Cultural Routes.
www.saintjamesway.eu
www.culture-routes.net
www.jewisheritage.org/web/european-routes
www.hanse.org
www.eriac.org
www.cemeteriesroute.eu/european-cemeteries-route
56
partner

EU Commissioner Tibor
Navracsics with members
of the European Heritage
Alliance 3.3 at the
European Policy Debate in
Berlin, June 2018

“Cultural heritage
has a key role to
play in building the
Europe of the future”
Interview with Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner
for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
We congratulate you on the Europa Nostra, of course, fully helping to foster cohesion and a
forward-looking New European agrees, but can you share your sense of European identity.
Agenda for Culture which reasoning for making cultural
you presented last May and heritage such a strong priority? That is why the European Union
the European Framework for has been supporting cultural
Action on Cultural Heritage There are many reasons for heritage for many years through
you presented in Vienna during giving cultural heritage a a whole range of its policies,
the official closing conference, prominent role in European beyond culture itself: from
hosted by the Austrian Federal cultural policy. Cultural heritage environment to education, and
Chancellery on 6-7 December brings important benefits to our research to regional policy.
2018. Cultural heritage has a economies, boosting innovation One good example is the recent
much more prevalent position and job creation. And it is crucial publication ‘Connecting Cultures,
than before and is now a in helping us build a fair, resilient Connected Citizens’, showcasing
horizontal theme in the Agenda. European society for the future: 97 Interreg projects that received
 EU 57
the European Year of Cultural Commissioner
Heritage Label*, and showing that Navracsics
speaking at
investments in cultural heritage the Closing
are among the most popular Conference of the
topics in European Territorial EYCH in Vienna
(7/12), together
Cooperation projects. Cooperation with Gernot
on culture, media and arts has Blümel, Austria’s
Federal Minister
proved to be an excellent way for the EU, Art,
to help countries and regions Culture and
Media and Petra
work together across borders,
Kammerevert,
driving economic and social MEP, Chair of the
development. It is important EP Committee
on Culture and
to make the best use of all the Education
opportunities that the European
Union offers, especially today
as the cultural heritage sector is
facing unprecedented challenges.
Think of the digital shift, which is
deeply changing the way cultural
institutions manage, protect and
give access to their heritage, and
transforming the way citizens and
communities engage with their
cultural heritage.

Moreover, our recent

Eurobarometer survey on
cultural heritage shows that
82% of Europeans take pride
in cultural heritage and agree
that it can improve quality of
life and a sense of belonging to
Europe. And indeed, thanks to its
diversity, cultural heritage brings
us together and helps us to learn you presented in Vienna during only possible thanks to the EU Commissioner
Tibor Navracsics
more about ourselves and each the official closing conference of commitment and dedication of
and Maestro Plácido
other; building bridges between the Year. What are the guiding cultural heritage stakeholders, Domingo with the 7
people, between communities and principles? How are you engaging who we are naturally involving Grand Prix winners
during the European
between the past and the future. all the stakeholders in the creation in drawing up our plans for Heritage Awards
That is why cultural heritage has of the Framework Plan and what the future. Our key objective Ceremony on 22 June
in Berlin
a key role to play in building the kind of connection will you make – which was also expressed in
Europe of the future – and our to the Berlin Call to Action? the Berlin Call to Action – is
new European Agenda for Culture to ensure that the European
highlights this role and sets out I think the European Year of Year leaves a policy imprint
key objectives for our cooperation Cultural Heritage has clearly beyond 2018. That is why, in
in this field for years to come. enabled us to renew people’s line with the New European
interest in cultural heritage: Agenda for Culture, I presented
You have shown strong, personal in the first six months of the the European Framework for
political commitment to develop year alone, more than 5,000 Action on Cultural Heritage,
the European Framework for initiatives took place, attracting which is a roadmap for our
Action on Cultural Heritage which 2 million visitors. This is future work in safeguarding and
58 Europa Nostra
President Plácido
partner

Domingo and EU
Commissioner
Tibor Navracsics
in the Liszt
Academy in
Budapest in
August 2016. The
Liszt Academy
has been selected
for a European
Heritage Label
and has won
a European
Heritage Award.
(Grand Prix
winner European
Heritage Awards
2015)

promoting Europe’s cultural The Commission proposal taking into account the difficult
heritage. It covers topics such for the next long-term EU context that the EU is currently
as youth volunteering, the budget is indeed a huge success facing - and at the same time
accessibility of cultural heritage for us, and I am very proud realistic.
and activities to fight the illicit that it foresees a stand-alone
trafficking of cultural goods. programme for culture with However, the negotiations will
Innovation and science are bigger funding compared to the be tough. I count on all those who
also high on the agenda. The current financing period. EU believe in the power of culture
Framework for Action builds on leaders have told us very clearly in transforming our regions
the results of the actions that that they want more ambition and cities for the better to get
the European Commission has when it comes to culture and involved in the discussion and
been implementing during the cultural heritage so that we can make the case for investing in
Year, in line with the principles make the most of their potential culture. Organisations such as
of engagement, sustainability, with positive outcomes for Europa Nostra have a key role
protection and innovation. our societies and economies. to play in convincing decision-
The European Year of Cultural makers at European, national,
It is a big achievement that in your Heritage has had an important regional and local levels. And I
field of Education, Culture, Youth role in this. hope that during the negotiations
and Sport, the budget – proposed we will be able to count on the
by the European Commission last Our proposal for the new support of both the European
May – increased. The Creative Creative Europe programme Parliament and the Member
Europe continues to figure as a reflects this recognition of the States.
stand-alone programme in the crucial role that culture can play
chapter on “Investing in People, in the daily lives of our citizens, Our Berlin Call to Action talks
Social Cohesion and Values.” in our relations with the rest of about the connection between
What are the chances that your the world, and in conveying the the local and the European and
proposals will be accepted by the values on which the European the value of cultural heritage for
Member States and the European Union is built. This budget is communities. You talk of Europe
Parliament and how can we help? very ambitious - in particular as a “community of communities”.
Can you tell us more about this 59
concept and its relevance for the
cultural heritage field?

I want to raise awareness of the

social and economic importance
of cultural heritage, and, at
the same time, of the wealth
of Europe’s cultural heritage. I
am convinced that discovering
and experiencing our shared
cultural heritage can strengthen
our sense of togetherness. As I
said in Berlin in June, Europe is
going through challenging times.
Our societies and economies are
grappling with deep structural
changes. Culture and cultural
heritage can be the glue that
keeps our communities together.
It helps us get to know and accept or exhibited every year, many of already a great positive effect of European Heritage
Label recipient
each other, in all our diversity, which are not normally open to the European Year of Cultural 2018: the village of
and with all that we have in the public. Heritage. The Year has also Schengen, site of
the signing of the
common. That is the ground on mobilised many stakeholders
Schengen Treaty.
which we can build a community In a lot of cases, our heritage across Europe and Europa Nostra
of communities in which a is not only local; it also has a has been very active in connecting
European identity complements strong European dimension. all these organisations, as was
and indeed enriches our national The European Heritage Label reflected during the European
and local identities. recognises those sites in Europe Cultural Heritage Summit in
that have strong links to Berlin. How can we make sure
The European Year offers European history and European that the momentum of the Year is
us a unique opportunity to integration and the values that not lost? The Call to Action asks
celebrate our cultural heritage at underpin them. The sites commit for a more permanent platform
grassroots level and to reconnect to sharing this heritage as widely for gathering knowledge, capacity
with local communities. The as possible, making it accessible, building and coordinating
Year conveys a universal message for example by becoming advocacy for cultural heritage
about our common values, our multilingual. They also reach in Europe. Is that something you
history and our dreams for the out to a wide range of citizens would support?
future that we share. One of with educational activities,
the best examples for this local especially to young people. This I am very proud that this unique
approach are the European is how the European Heritage power of culture is now widely
Heritage Days. They are the most Label sites work towards, as you recognised and that cultural
widely celebrated participatory say, connecting the local and the heritage ranks high on the
cultural events in Europe. European interpretation of our European Union’s political
The Heritage Days have been heritage. agenda. The European Year is
taking place in the 50 signatory not just offering visibility. It is
countries to the European We are delighted to see that an opportunity to work better
Cultural Convention for over 30 within the European Commission together, at all levels – from
years. During the Heritage Days, so many of your colleagues municipalities all the way to the
more than 100,000 buildings, now recognise the importance European institutions, creators,
monuments and sites are opened of cultural heritage and this is stakeholders, and civil society
60 European
Heritage Label of European integration: the
partner

recipient: Village of Schengen, where the

Dohány Street
Synagogue, Schengen agreement was signed
Budapest, in 1985, and the Maastricht
Hungary (photo
Treaty, signed in 1992. These
by Scheimann)
sites have immense significance
to me.

You also participated in the

Ode2Joy Challenge, for which
our President Maestro Plácido
Domingo asked all Europeans
to celebrate Europe by recording
their own version of the Ode to
Joy in any creative way possible
organisations, as well as some On 1 March you announced the and upload their efforts. Can you
of our neighbouring countries new sites of the European Heritage share with us what you did and
and international partners. We Label. Which of the new sites did why?
need to make sure that we can you find especially inspiring, a site
continue this modus operandi which maybe shows this multi- I was very pleased to participate
after 2018. There can be no strong layeredness of European heritage? in this important initiative
policy without proper funding. launched by Maestro Plácido
Our budget proposal for the new Being Hungarian, I am of course Domingo. I very much like the
EU Commissioner
Navracsics and Creative Europe programme proud that the Dohány Street way in which it invited people
Sneška Quaedvlieg- that needs to be adopted by Synagogue has been awarded from very different backgrounds
Mihailović, Secretary-
General of Europa
Member States and the European the Label. It is a symbol of all over Europe to be creative
Nostra, during the Parliament, will allow us to integration, remembrance and and to express their joy at being
local award ceremony continue working with the openness to dialogue. Among the
for the Bač Fortress, European. The results of this
Serbia, a Grand organisations preserving, other sites awarded in 2018 there challenge are amazing and can
Prix winner of the protecting and making cultural are two that link directly to the
European Heritage
inspire us all, showing not just
Awards (photo by
heritage accessible for more history of the European Union, in how many different ways we
Vučeta Vujović) people. symbolising two milestones can interpret Beethoven´s Ode
but also the many different ways
we can be European. Schiller´s
lyrics embody the ideals of the
French Revolution (Egalité,
Fraternité, Liberté) and send a
strong message of peace to the
world. Our Europe of today has
been built on those values that
bring us all together. In this
spirit, I immediately agreed to
participate and to sing the Ode
to Joy together with a group
of citizens in my hometown
Veszprém in Hungary wishing
everybody a “Happy Europe
Day” on 9 May.

* http://www.interact-eu.net/library#1843-e-
book-connecting-cultures-connected-citizens
European Heritage Label 2018
The European Commission decided on 1 March 2018 to add nine
sites celebrating and symbolising European ideals, values, history
and integration to the European Heritage Label list.

• Leipzig’s Musical Heritage Sites (Germany)

• Dohány Street Synagogue Complex (Budapest, Hungary)
• Fort Cadine (Italy)
• Javorca Church (Slovenia)
• Former Natzweiler concentration camp and its satellite camps
(France and Germany)
• Sighet Memorial (Romania) see photo
• Bois du Cazier (Belgium)
• Village of Schengen (Luxembourg)
• Maastricht Treaty (The Netherlands)

This brings the number of sites that have received the European
Heritage Label over past four years to thirty eight in total.
 Highlights of
62
feature

the European
Cultural
Heritage
Summit in
Berlin

The Concluding Europa Nostra, the German Cultural Heritage Committee (DNK) and the
Session of the
“Cultural Heritage for Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) co-hosted the first ever European
the Future of Europe”
debate in the BCC, Cultural Heritage Summit in Berlin from 18-24 June. The Summit was the largest
Berlin on 22 June 2018
European event taking place during the European Year of Cultural Heritage,
comprising 67 events organised by some 85 partners and assembling over
1,500 participants from all over Europe. The Summit, with the motto “Sharing
Heritage – Sharing Values,” brought together a wide range of stakeholders,
decision-makers and citizens as well as top level representatives from
European Union institutions, Member States and civil society organisations.
 63
The Summit built on the
political momentum and
promoted an ambitious
European Agenda and Action
Plan for Cultural Heritage as a
lasting legacy of the European
Year of Cultural Heritage,
mainly through the presentation
of the “Berlin Call to Action:
Cultural Heritage for the Future
of Europe.” The Berlin Call to
Action was presented during the
European Policy Debate and was
immediately endorsed by some
of the highest representatives
of European institutions, many
engaged European citizens and
stakeholders.

Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier,

Federal President of Germany,
with his wife Elke Büdenbender,
during the European Heritage
Awards Ceremony

More than 2018 – the original

target number of the Call –
organisations and individuals
have already signed this
important document.

In this article we can discover

some of the many highlights of The European
Policy Debate
the European Cultural Heritage “Sharing Heritage,
Summit. Sharing Values” at
the Allianz Forum,
Berlin
64
Executive Vice- Night at the Neues
feature

President John Sell Museum with

receives the Europa members of the
Nostra Medal of European Union
Honour during the Youth Orchestra
European Heritage
Awards Ceremony, 22
June 2018 in Berlin
from Maestro Plácido
Domingo, together with
Executive President
Denis de Kergorlay
and Vice-President
Alexander zu Sayn-
Wittgenstein-Sayn.

Dance at the Museum

of Communication

Historian, author
and broadcaster
Bettany Hughes
(recipient of the
Helena Vaz da Silva
European Award
2018) in discussion
with Europa Nostra’s
communication
advisor Wolter
Braamhorst during
the Creative Session
‘Communicating
Heritage in the 21st
Century’, organised
at Bertelsmann
Unter den Linden 1.

The launch of the

“Torch of Heritage and
Culture” initiative of
Future for Religious
Heritage (photo by
Joop Koopmanschap)
 65

(Above) Lazare Eloundou Assomo,

Deputy Director of the World Heritage
Centre, UNESCO with Silvia Costa,
Member of the European Parliament’s
Committee on Culture and Education,
during the European Policy Debate

(Above) After the event

“Communicating Heritage in the 21st
Century”, organised by Europa Nostra
in cooperation with its corporate
partner Bertelsmann.(left to right)
Hermann Parzinger, Executive
President Europa Nostra and
President of the Stiftung Preussischer
Panel discussions at an Kulturbesitz (SPK), Helen Müller,
event organised by the Head of Cultural Affairs and Corporate
Maecenata Stiftung, with History of Bertelsmann, Sneška
Europa Nostra Board Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary-
Member Paolo Vitti. General of Europa Nostra
66 European Cultural Heritage Policy Debate: Concluding
Session ‘Cultural Heritage for the Future of Europe’
European sing along:
feature

with (in the middle) Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of

Berlin choirs, Summit
the European Committee of the Regions (photo by Felix
participants and passers-
Quaedvlieg)
by singing Ode to Joy

Federal Government
Commissioner for
Culture and the Media
Monika Grütters
during the European
Cultural Heritage
Policy Debate, Allianz
Forum

European Cultural Heritage Policy Debate, Session

III moderated by Themis Christophidou EC’s DG for
Education, Culture, Youth and Sport: ‘Contributing to
Social and Economic Cohesion’, with Francisco de Paula
Coelho, Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute
(photo by Derdehmel / DNK)
67
68 Meeting of the Young Professionals Summit “The Future Is Heritage” in the
Dutch Embassy in Berlin. It was organised by the Dutch Provinces of Noord–
feature

Brabant, Gelderland & Overijssel, Heritage Brabant, Heritage Gelderland and the
Dutch Knowledge Institute of Immaterial Heritage – KIEN

Visit to one of the

winners of the
European Heritage
Awards 2018: the
Winzerberg, the Royal
Vineyard at Potsdam-
Sanssouci, Germany
 Open Museum 69
Night at the Neues
Museum

Heritage Fair at the

Gendarmenmarkt

Messages from the Young Generation during the European EU Commisioner Tibor Navracsics at the European Cultural
Cultural Heritage Policy Debate, Allianz Forum Heritage Policy Debate, Allianz Forum
70 Luca Jahier, President of the European
Economic and Social Committee
feature

(EESC) speaking during the

concluding session of the “Cultural
Heritage for the Future of Europe”
debate (photo by Felix Quaedvlieg)

Award winner Stéphane Bern with the

Chair of the jury Dedicated Service to
Heritage Álvaro Santa Cruz during the
European Heritage Awards Ceremony
(photo by Felix Quaedvlieg)

The closing session of the European Policy Debate in the BCC, Network meeting with the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz: (left to right)
Berlin member of the foundation board S.K.H. Georg Friedrich Prinz von Preußen,
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary-General of Europa Nostra, and
chairman of the foundation board Prof. Dr. Jörg Haspel
The team behind the European Cultural Heritage Summit with Europa Nostra
President Plácido Domingo at the Berlin State Opera.
 During the Heritage Fair at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, 71
Vice-President of Europa Nostra and President of Europa Nostra
Deutschland Alexander Fürst zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn
Visit to Sanssouci Palace followed leads the dance. In 2018, he was awarded the German Heritage
by open-air concert and picnic in Conservation and Protection Award 2018 (Deutscher Preis für
Sanssouci Park Denkmalschutz) as well as the Europa Nostra Medal of Honour

Shortly after the

Berlin Summit, the
European Parliament
held the high-level
conference “Cultural
Heritage in Europe” in
Brussels, 26 June 2018

Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović,
Secretary-General of Europa Nostra,
presents the Berlin Call to Action
to Antonio Tajani, President of the
European Parliament during the high-
level conference in Brussels, 26 June
2018

The Excellence Fair on 21 June 2018 at

the Allianz Forum, Berlin.
 “Cultural Heritage for
72
feature

the Future of Europe”

Sign the Berlin Call to Action at europanostra.org!
First signatories of the
Berlin Call to Action :
(left to right) Maestro
Plácido Domingo,
President of Europa
Nostra, Martina Münch,
President of the German
Cultural Heritage
Committee (DNK) and
Hermann Parzinger,
Executive President
Europa Nostra and
President of the
Stiftung Preussischer
Kulturbesitz (SPK)

The 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage marks a turning point for
Europe’s ever-growing movement for cultural heritage. We must build
on this momentum to recognize and unfold the positive and cohesive
power of our shared cultural heritage and values to connect Europe’s
citizens and communities and to give a deeper meaning to the entire
European project. Time for action is now.
PREAMBLE 73
In the framework of the The “Berlin Call to Action”
This “Berlin Call to Action” European Year of Cultural also builds on the input and
is presented at the European Heritage (EYCH), the first support of the EYCH national
Cultural Heritage Summit on European Cultural Heritage coordinators, members of the
22 June 2018 in Berlin by the Summit held from 18-24 EYCH Stakeholders
3 co-hosting organisations, June 2018 in Berlin brought Committee, as well as of
namely EUROPA NOSTRA – together numerous citizens members of the European
the Voice of Cultural Heritage and organisations from across Heritage Alliance 3.3.
Europe. Among them were
representatives of institutions, We now invite all those who
associations, foundations care for Europe’s past, present
and universities as well as of and future to sign, support and
religious communities and widely share this Berlin Call to
sites, all dealing with cultural Action.
heritage; architects, museum
professionals, conservators- THE BERLIN CALL TO ACTION
restorers, craftsmen, artists, WE, the undersigned citizens,
private owners of historic houses organisations or institutions
and heritage sites, researchers stand ready to take up our
and teachers; representatives of shared responsibility to
public authorities or financial unfold the cohesive power and
institutions; entrepreneurs, start- potential of our shared cultural
ups, (art)historians, journalists, heritage to advance a more
photographers, students and peaceful, prosperous, inclusive
young volunteers; together and just Europe.
with Ministers of Culture,
Mayors of historic cities, Today, in this European Year of
members of European, national Cultural Heritage, we have
and regional parliaments, a unique opportunity to
representatives of European influence the debate on the
Union institutions, as well as of Future of Europe. Confronted
the Council of Europe, UNESCO with so many challenges
and ICCROM and many European and even threats to the core
heritage networks. European values, this debate
cannot be based exclusively
This “Berlin Call to Action” on political, economic or
draws its inspiration and security considerations.
legitimacy from the expertise, We must “change the tone”
enthusiasm and engagement (* reference to be added later
of all those women and men on our website) of the narrative
who care for cultural heritage about Europe. We must put
(tangible, intangible and digital) our shared cultural heritage
and who dedicate their expertise, where it belongs: at the very
time and energy, as professionals centre of Europe’s policies and
in Europe; the German Cultural or volunteers, to ensure the priorities.
Heritage Committee (DNK) transmission of this heritage to
acting as national coordinator of future generations. The economic WHY? BECAUSE…
the European Year of Cultural value of their work is significant; 1. Our cultural heritage is what
Heritage in Germany and the its social and cultural value is makes us being European as
Prussian Cultural Heritage priceless. it reflects our varying and
Foundation (SPK) based in Berlin. shared values, cultures and
74 memories. Therefore, it is the 6. Our cultural heritage is priorities, fully in line with
feature

true embodiment of Europe´s also a key driver for sustainable the recent conclusions of
“Unity in Diversity” and it development the EU Council. We refer to
helps us resist divisive forces and enhanced social cohesion, as objectives and policy areas
which are a danger for our well as the source of a such as social cohesion,
society. large number of rewarding jobs regional development,
both directly and indirectly; urban development, rural
2. Our cultural heritage captures development, environment,
the multiple layers of our Our cultural heritage brings maritime and tourism
identity - local, regional, harmony and beauty to our living policies, sustainability
national, and European; these environment, both agenda and climate change
layers are all interconnected man-made and natural, and adaptation, research and
and reinforce each other thus improves our wellbeing and innovation, digital policy,
and they are continuously quality of life. education and skills and, of
evolving; course, the youth. This Action
While restating – in this year Plan should furthermore
3. Our cultural heritage feeds which marks the 70th anniversary also have a strong external
both our sense of belonging of the Universal Declaration of dimension since the European
to a local community and the Human Rights - that the right to Union must also take global
sense of togetherness and cultural heritage is a basic human responsibility and reach out
solidarity in Europe; right and while reaffirming – to partners across and beyond
in this European Year of Cultural the EU borders.
4. Our cultural heritage Heritage - our commitment to The Action Plan should
connects generations as it the principles formulated in a therefore be coherent with
reflects cross-fertilisations large number of relevant policy the Council of Europe’s
and cross-border movements documents already adopted by European Heritage Strategy
of people and ideas over many many European and international for the 21st century
centuries of shared history. organisations, it is now time and with the UN Agenda
As such, it is the basis for to translate these principles into 2030 for Sustainable
a respectful and enriching effective action with tangible Development.
dialogue and interaction results for Europe
within and between and its citizens: ACTION 2
communities in Europe but
RECOGNISING HERITAGE AS
ACTION 1 A PRIORITY FOR EUROPEAN
also with other cultures of the
DEVELOPING THE EUROPEAN POLICIES AND FUNDING
world;
ACTION PLAN FOR CULTURAL
In support of the future
HERITAGE
5. Our cultural heritage ensures European Action Plan for
a bridge between our past We call for an ambitious European Cultural Heritage, we call
and our future. It allows us Action Plan for Cultural Heritage on the EU institutions to
to draw from, and build on, as a lasting legacy of the European fully recognize cultural
our cultural traditions and Year of Cultural Heritage. This heritage as a strategic priority
history, while it also helps Action Plan which is already in the up-coming policy
us to heal wounds and mend announced in the recently adopted programmes and the EU’s
the fractures of the past. New European Agenda for Culture, new multi-annual financial
It simultaneously inspires must be prepared and implemented framework (2021-2027).
on-going creativity and with full involvement and This will contribute to the
innovation. As such, it is a engagement of all relevant public much-needed investment in
source of continuous learning and private stakeholders, including Europe’s human and cultural
and inspiration and a basis civil society. It must also be capital and in promoting
for active and responsible holistic and interconnected with Europe’s values. At the
citizenship; other key EU policy agendas and same time, we all commit to
continue raising the awareness in order to ensure proper in education activities – both 75
of the multiple values and preservation, development and formal and informal - for
benefits of cultural heritage transmission of our heritage, all ages. This will stimulate
for Europe. This is particularly both physically and digitally. stronger public engagement for
important in view of the In this process we must fully the safeguard and transmission
upcoming European Parliament involve universities and the of our cultural heritage. Special
elections in May 2019, and the research community, develop attention must be given to
subsequent appointment of the innovative business models and history education and heritage
new European Commission. stimulate creative synergies interpretation placed in a
between heritage and the arts. broader context of Europe’s
ACTION 3 We should also recognize the past, present and future. This
BRIDGING LOCAL, NATIONAL value of intangible expressions will equip Europe’s citizens
AND EUROPEAN
of our heritage which are and especially our children and
The various levels of governance constantly evolving and the youth, with the necessary
are key for unleashing the full enriching our society and living tools for gaining a deeper
potential of cultural heritage environment. understanding of the on-going
as a strategic resource for encounters and exchanges
society, economy, culture and ACTION5 within Europe as well as
environment. Therefore, we
INVESTING IN QUALITY between Europe and other
HERITAGE-LED REGENERATION
call on all States, Regions and cultures of the world. All these
Cities in Europe to continue to We must ensure and enable activities will help build more
develop holistic and ambitious adequate investments, public respectful and meaningful
policy and action plans for and private, into quality relationships between people
cultural heritage. We also urge heritage-led regeneration of and the places they live, work
them to enhance their dialogue our neighbourhoods, cities or visit. This will also facilitate
and cooperation with relevant and countryside based on a better understanding,
European and international creativity, innovation and respect and inclusion of new
organisations as well as with adaptive re-use; inspired by inhabitants in Europe.
civil society. Hereby, we must the principles of high-quality
ensure that the policy and “Baukultur” as formulated in ACTION7
action plans adopted by various the Davos Declaration adopted
BUILDING ON THE
MOMENTUM
levels of governance – from at the very beginning of the
local, national to European – European Year of Cultural The European Year of Cultural
complement each other and are Heritage; and enriched by active Heritage has strengthened
coherent. participation of citizens and the policy momentum and
their communities and civil wide mobilisation for cultural
ACTION 4 society organisations. In this heritage in Europe. We must
PRESERVING AND context, we welcome creative now consolidate and further
TRANSMITTING THE
and respectful interaction improve the synergies between
IRREPLACEABLE
between the protection of the the widest possible range of
Cultural heritage is unique built heritage and contemporary public and private stakeholders
and irreplaceable. Yet it is contributions to our built including relevant
often vulnerable and even environment, which contribute European and international
endangered. Therefore, it is our to the heritage of tomorrow. organisations and civil society.
collective task to preserve this To achieve this, we need to
treasure so as to transmit it for ACTION6 find an adequate formula for a
further enjoyment and (re)use
PROMOTING BETTER more permanent platform for
KNOWLEDGE AND DEEPER
to future generations. We must gathering knowledge, capacity
UNDERSTANDING
boost the necessary human and building and coordinating
financial resources and invest Cultural heritage must be advocacy for cultural heritage
in skills and capacity building given a much bigger importance in Europe.
76
feature

The Dream
Team with (back
row) Dorota
Nigge, Anne
Grady, Chiara
Bellani, Erminia
Schicchitano,
(front row)
Catherine Magnant
and Lorena Aldana

Together
we are stronger!
Looking back and ahead with Catherine Magnant,
Head of the European Year of Cultural Heritage Task
Force at the European Commission
It was a challenging yet deeply satisfying task 77
to be the European Commission’s manager of
the European Year of Cultural Heritage, which
took place in 37 countries. The responsibility,
the coordination, the cooperation: everything
had to come together. Now the Year is over,
Catherine Magnant and her ‘Dream Team’, as she
affectionately calls it, can take a moment to reflect
and marvel at all the wonderful activities that were
undertaken. But what is the next chapter? How
can we make sure we do not lose all that has been
accomplished?

When you started the preparation A resounding yes. The response

for the Year what were your main and level of engagement of
challenges? institutions and citizens
during the European Year
Clearly - time and money! We was unprecedented – there
only had half a year to prepare were 18 000 events reaching
the practical implementation over 10 million people and 11
of the Year and it was 000 events obtained the label
frustrating. Yet the Year has of the European Year. And
been a huge success, so we can I should add the 30 million
only imagine what we could Europeans who took part in
have done with more time for the European Heritage Days
preparation! As to the budget we across Europe. In my view, this
received 8 million euro thanks shows that Europeans take
to the support of the European Europe’s cultural heritage to
Parliament, which allowed us heart and that cultural heritage
to organise a special call for can contribute to shorten the
projects dedicated to cultural gap between the Union and
heritage under the Creative its citizens. Indeed, cultural
Europe programme. As a result, heritage has “magic powers” –
we co-funded 29 very interesting that of capturing the multiple afield - have contributed to this Catherine Magnant
and exciting projects. I sincerely layers of people’s identity, from millennia-old cultural tapestry
wish we had been able to fund local to regional, national and which we are so proud of. It falls
more projects, and in particular European. upon us to preserve the threads
the smaller ones, those at the that make up our collective
grassroots projects all over And as such I do believe it has cultural heritage, memory and
Europe. Alas, this means time, the capacity to strengthen a values, and to write the next
staff and money, all of which sense of belonging to a larger chapter of it, with our values
were scarce commodities in community in Europe. Our firmly at the centre!
2018! shared experiences and our
cultural heritage remind us of One of the objectives of the Year was
Do you think the European Year what we have overcome and to encourage young people to take
brought the European institutions created. Generations of people an interest in Cultural Heritage.
closer to European citizens? - from Europe and further Can you tell us about that?
78
feature

Catherine Magnant
moderates a panel
discussion on the role
of youth for ensuring
the legacy of the Year
in Vienna (7/12/2018)

What else? We put together a Together with UNESCO we will

Indeed, young people were fun online game on cultural also organise a Young Heritage
one of the main targets of our heritage for school children; we Experts Forum in Zadar, Croatia
communication campaign. We had several hundred schools to empower young professionals
were very active on Instagram across Europe engaged in an and upskill future policymakers.
and Facebook and the response e-twinning project on heritage; So you see, the Year may be over,
was more than enthusiastic - many projects had youth but activities are continuing.
10 million people engaged in volunteers on board, including
the social media campaign, through the European Solidarity But most importantly, in 2018,
the majority of which were Corps launched by the EU. we associated young people
young people. Our cooking Erasmus+ also provided many to the Year by inviting their
competition in particular was a opportunities for young people representative organisations
great success – reaching over 2.4 to learn more about cultural (the European Youth Forum
million people! heritage by studying, training and then the Erasmus Student
and gaining experience abroad. Network) to take part in our
Beyond social media, through coordination meetings on
DiscoverEU, a new EU scheme And it’s not over! We have the Year, alongside other key
whereby young people (18-years just started a new project stakeholders. I am convinced
old) could receive a train with UNESCO, to bring that if we want cultural heritage
ticket to travel, discover and intangible cultural heritage to to be a resource for Europe’s
experience Europe and its the class room - did you know future, young people must be
cultural heritage. This scheme that traditional dishes like involved in the decision making
was, without a doubt, extremely sauerkraut can make wonderful process at all levels. During
popular. topics for experimental physics? the Year we put this principle
into practice, giving young civil society organisations European Framework for 79
people a space to speak up for in the management of the Action on Cultural Heritage
Europe, give fresh ideas for EU Year at European level. We
The first-ever European Framework for
heritage policy and strengthen also associated them to part Action on Cultural Heritage was released
their participation in civil of the meetings we had with by the European Commission in December
2018. It establishes a common vision for EU
society. Some examples were EU Member States, who were heritage policies and programmes in the
the ‘European Youth Event’ by running the Year at national coming years, and includes over 60 concrete
actions that will be implemented by the
the European Parliament with level. Finally we had three European Commission and key partners in
several thousand young people European institutions on board 2019-2020.
and ‘Your Europe Your Say!’ as observers – the European
The European Framework builds on the
by the European Economic and Parliament, the Committee of many initiatives launched during the
Social Committee, where young the Regions, and the European European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018,
with the aim of sustaining its legacy and
people not only discussed what Economic and Social Committee. scaling-up its achievements.
cultural heritage means for Over the duration of 2 years, we
The European Framework captures the
them and for the Europe they all met 3 times a year, and all wide mobilisation of stakeholders. It was
dream of, but also provided learnt a lot from this very close elaborated through regular exchanges with
EU Member States, EU Institutions, civil
recommendations to European cooperation. society organisations, cultural operators
policy makers. and international organisations. The
Framework explicitly refers to the Berlin
What was your personal Call to Action: ‘Cultural Heritage for
Which role did civil society impression of the European the Future of Europe’ as a key example
of the type of mobilisation and work of
organisations like Europa Nostra Cultural Heritage Summit in
stakeholders that the European Year
play in the implementation of the Berlin and have you signed the spurred. Indeed, the Berlin Call to Action
Year? Berlin Call to Action? called for an ‘ambitious Action Plan for
Cultural Heritage as a lasting legacy of the
European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018’.
Civil society and cultural In one word? Impressed.
The document establishes 4 principles
heritage organisations played Impressed and grateful. guiding EU action on cultural heritage:
a significant role in the Year First, the Berlin Summit was
• A holistic approach, looking at cultural
and its success. Starting at the extremely professionally heritage as a resource for the future and
very beginning, when there organised - and I know what putting people at its heart;
was a requirement to have the it takes behind the scenes to • Mainstreaming and integrated approach,
looking at cultural heritage as a cross-
Year approved. Europa Nostra’s obtain such a flawless result. cutting issue in different policy fields;
campaign, for instance, was Secondly, exchanges were
• Evidence-based policy making,
remarkably efficient! During of very high quality, truly supporting the design of heritage
2018, the professional expertise inspiring. The beautiful speech policies with data and statistics;

and energy of the 38 European of the Greek Minister of culture • Multi-stakeholder cooperation,
encouraging dialogue and exchange
culture and heritage networks still resonates in me. I also among a wide range of actors in the
that were the Year’s official remember Sneška Quaedvlieg- design and implementation of heritage
policies.
stakeholders made a huge Mihailović’s (Secretary-General
difference and contributed of Europa Nostra ed.) emotion
The comprised actions are structured
widely to its success. when reading on stage the around 5 thematic areas:
messages she had received from • Cultural heritage for an inclusive
Europe: participation and access for all;
It was also for us a matter of Heads of States, in particular
• Cultural heritage for a sustainable
principle: we do believe that that of the French President
Europe: smart solutions for a cohesive
cultural heritage should be Macron, which was so fresh and sustainable future;
run at all levels in an inclusive that she has to read it from her • Cultural heritage for a resilient Europe:
and participatory way, in the phone screen. Her emotion and safeguarding endangered heritage;

spirit of the Faro Convention pride were contagious. As to the • Cultural heritage for an innovative
Europe: mobilising knowledge and
of the Council of Europe. Berlin Call to Action, it is a great research;
So we put this principle in text, well written, punchy and • Cultural heritage for stronger global
practice, and associated 38 to the point. It was addressed partnerships: reinforcing international
cooperation.
major European networks and to EU institutions. So as a EU
80 official, I decided to do better Europe’s future. More precisely, Yes indeed, we want to
feature

than signing it: I took action the Framework explains that maintain the spirit of multi-
to contribute answering it! I there are five key areas where stakeholder cooperation which
coordinated the drafting of a cultural heritage has a role to was so fruitful during the Year.
European Framework for Action play for a better Europe. These Therefore, as announced in
on Cultural Heritage, which was are a more inclusive Europe the Framework for Action
eventually adopted in December (through the participation and on Cultural Heritage we will
2018. It reflects the lessons access for all to heritage); a set up a Cultural Heritage
learnt and recommendations sustainable Europe (through Forum. It will be the main
heard when implementing smart heritage solutions for European rendez-vous of
the Year, and paves the way a cohesive and sustainable cultural heritage policy makers
for heritage-related actions in future) and a resilient Europe and practitioners in Europe,
European policies for the next (safeguarding endangered where civil society and cultural
two years, with a high level of heritage). Then comes an heritage organisations will
ambition. innovative Europe (mobilising be able to make their voice
knowledge and research for strongly heard. EU Member
So can you tell us about this heritage) and finally stronger States will also be invited to
European Framework for Action global partnerships: cultural send representatives, so will
on Cultural Heritage which the heritage is a wonderful dialogue International organisations
Commission published as a legacy and cooperation venue with our like UNESCO and the Council
of the Year. How did it come about international partners. of Europe. The Cultural
and how will it be implemented? Heritage Forum’s objective
The Framework also establishes is for all the players to
It was indeed important to a number of key principles for continue exchanging with the
capture the Year’s very rich heritage in EU policies: a holistic Commission and sharing good
legacy before it came to an end. approach - cultural heritage can practices on cultural heritage
In October, we dipped into our be tangible, intangible, digital; policies in Europe, to monitor
energy reserves following an a mainstreaming approach - the implementation of the
intense period of activities and cultural heritage policies should Framework and generally
exchanges all across Europe, not operate in isolation, they to keep heritage high on the
consolidated our thoughts must be integrated to a very European agenda. I am sure
and started writing. It was a wide range of other policies, Europa Nostra will be very
surprisingly natural and fluid from social ones to agricultural vocal on that point!
process, probably because and environmental ones etc.
the issues had been maturing You were as the head of
in our heads as the Year was So, we have ONE European the dynamic Task Force
progressing. We also turned Framework with FOUR in the Directorate General
to our colleagues in different principles, FIVE areas of for Education and Culture
services of the Commission, actions, and over 60 actions responsible for implementing the
from environment, regional for 2019 and 2020 - not bad as Year. Can you tell us more about
policy and research to tourism, the result of one single Year! your Dream Team? I understand
to name just a few, with whom And that’s only for the EU the team was entirely female?
we had been cooperating level - countries and regions will
so closely, and together we also keep developing their own Indeed, in the European
identified over 60 heritage policies and activities, with – Commission, the core team
actions that the Commission hopefully - the Framework as an running the Year was entirely
will implement in 2019 and inspiration. female. This was great but is
2020. not entirely representative of
I understand that the Commission the cultural heritage world,
These actions, each in their will set up a Cultural Heritage where my impression is that
own way, are a contribution to Forum. Can you tell us more? men are still more present
than women at management 81
level. If I may add, from what I
observed during the Year, I also
think that the heritage world
should open its doors to young
people in a more meaningful
manner.

As to my team, yes it really

was a small but a Dream
Team. We were all motivated
by the same ideals and
objectives - a profound belief
in the transformative power of
culture and the importance of
heritage for Europe. We also
had the same work ethic, we
were all able and willing to put
in long hours and the extra
effort that was needed for our
project to succeed. Yet we were
complementary in many ways
- some of us were experts of
the EU internal machine while
others were respected heritage
experts. And finally, and
possibly most importantly, we
enjoyed each other’s company with a great sculpture! Beyond of Cultural Heritage in the Catherine Magnant
and had great fun despite the the core team in DG EAC, this long-term? and Dorota Nigge
showing the special
stress. project spirit worked its magic European Year of
within the Commission also. With the adoption of the Cultural Heritage
stamps from
Which are the main takeaways We worked with 19 different European Framework for
Luxembourg
of the European Year of Cultural departments, a record by Action on Cultural Heritage,
Heritage for you personally? many standards. Secondly, the its five pillars and 60
Year confirmed that collective actions, we have paved the
I learnt two things. First, intelligence is a treasure. way for cultural heritage to
working in project is a great Together we are stronger, play a role in EU policies.
source of motivation. Everyone and wiser. For this, you need Let’s see what 2019 brings -
in the team shared the same to make sure that everyone as we all know the political
goal and objectives, with in the project or in the team landscape will be renewed.
super tight but very clear has a space to contribute and My message would be that
deadlines - there was no way shine and if they do, they will culture and cultural heritage
around the fact that Year had give their best. I do believe in are a thread which has
to start in January and finish participatory and inclusive bound us together yesterday,
in December! This focuses management and most of the today and which will help
minds and energies. It was time that’s how the Year was us build our European
also immensely satisfactory to run. future. We should not
build a project from scratch, underestimate its power. On
almost like a potter, who makes What do you think is needed the contrary, we should use
a clay figure emerge from a to sustain the ‘momentum’ it fully! Our heritage: where
heap of hearth. We ended up created by the European Year the past meets the future!
 Peace
82
feature

After millennia of war, Europe is trying to

make peace its enduring legacy

For a very long time, peace seemed negotiated by diplomats, not by be studied and discussed and an
to be an almost unavoidable soldiers. Over a four year period, international solution would be
byproduct of war. As war needed negotiators from across Europe found. This time, bloodshed and
to end to allow people rebuild and talked with one another on and off destruction would be avoided. The
regroup, peace negotiations had to in the town halls of Münster and sense of urgency was well-founded.
be held between the victorious and Osnabrück. Step by step, complex Most Europeans felt that war was
the defeated. Usually, these harsh peace treaties were hammered out, in the air. Young men seemed
peace treaties already contained symbolic of religious tolerance and eager to defend their countries
the seeds of new conflicts. For of an international rule of law. The against the enemy. The leaders of
centuries, Europe meandered sites of the Peace of Westphalia the European nation states – some
from one war to the next, the have received the European of them new to the scene – were
result of ever-changing alliances Heritage Label of the European circling the idea like warlike moths
and personal vendettas. In this Union to mark the importance of to a flame. The threat of a new
permanent state of warfare, the Europe’s desire for peace. potential Great War made some
local population made the best of Europeans realise that war was
an uncertain, dangerous and often Although the Peace of Westphalia not only getting more destructive
lawless situation. Often, wars was a breakthrough moment of and complicated, it would have
could drag on for decennia and European history, the Christian global repercussions. Something
only now and again flare up into a and Catholic European leaders needed to be done to neutralise the
real armed conflict. There could be had little appetite for following threats. We know that they were
relative peace in the middle of an the biblical advice and “beat their eventually unsuccessful or maybe
official war; harvests were brought swords into ploughshares, and their successful too late, only after the
in, children grew up, time passed. spears into pruning hooks: nation world had endured two World
However, the economic and social shall not lift up sword against Wars. Let us examine three peace
costs of these endless conflicts nation, neither shall they learn war initiatives that were developed
began to worry some of the more any more (Isaiah 2:3–4).” before World War I and retrace
forward-looking Europeans, their uphill battle to prevent war
who wanted to break the cycle of Peace finally became a subject to be in Europe: the Peace Palace in
violence and devastation. taken seriously after yet another The Hague (the Netherlands), the
war between France and Germany Mundaneum, now housed in Mons
Europe’s first big step to change in the 19th century and the Civil (Belgium) and the Nobel Peace
its attitude towards war was the War in the United States of Prize (Norway).
Peace of Westphalia (1648) which America. A civil society movement
marked the end of the Thirty- for the advancement of peace was As we will discover, many of the
Year War between many of the starting to gain momentum. This important locations connected
great powers of Europe as well as time, the Europeans would not be to Europe as a peace project have
the Eighty-Year war between the taken by surprise by yet another received the European Heritage
Netherlands and Spain. Peace was war. This time, the problem would Label of the European Union.
THE PEACE PALACE 83
In the late 19 century, peace
th

finally seemed to get the upper

hand. Although tensions across
Europe were rising once again,
there was real hope the nations
involved would finally manage
to solve their differences
amicably. During the First Hague
Peace Conference of 1899 – an
initiative of Czar Nicholas II –
an unprecedented 26 countries
were represented to discuss
disarmament and the possibility
of some form of international
jurisdiction and arbitration.
The meeting of minds led to the
establishment of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration. In 1907,
a second peace conference was
organized in The Hague, now with
44 countries.
the interior became as diverse the presence of the Dutch royal Peace Palace in
The Hague (photo by
During the peace conferences, as the exterior, a surprising family, Andrew Carnegie and an
Kasteelbeer)
the idea was launched that world international mix of colours international group of jurists,
peace needed an impressive and shapes. Some felt the neo- politicians, and pacifists. The
international court building, renaissance design was somewhat building was finished and
a true palace of peace in the eclectic, but the universality of it the key of the Peace Palace
heart of the city of The Hague. made the concept very appealing. presented to the Permanent
An international architecture Court of Arbitration on the
competition was launched and By the time the second peace 28th of August 1913, exactly 11
the organisation received 216 conference took place, the first months before the outbreak of
contributions from across the stone of the palace was laid in World War I.
globe. The design of French
architect Louis Cordonnier,
inspired by retrospective Human Rights
architecture, won the In 2018 we celebrated 70 years of
Human Rights, a fact UN Secretary-
competition. The final building General António Guterres reflected
was a simplified version of the on in the following way:
exuberant original drawings For 70 years, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights has
to meet the relatively modest
been a global beacon – shining a
budget of 1.5 million dollars light for dignity, equality and well-
provided by its sponsor Andrew being … and bringing hope to dark
places. The rights proclaimed in
Carnegie. Some participating the Declaration apply to everyone in the face of rising hatred, racism,
countries donated precious -- no matter our race, belief, location intolerance and repression. Indeed,
or other distinction of any kind. human rights are under siege around
building materials such as wood Human rights are universal and the world. Universal values are
and marble while others donated eternal. They are also indivisible. being eroded. The rule of law is being
One cannot pick and choose among undermined. Now more than ever,
works by artists and artisans civil, political, economic, social our shared duty is clear: Let us stand
such as expensive paintings, silk and cultural rights. Today we also up for human rights -- for everyone,
honour the human rights defenders everywhere.
wall tapestries, huge carpets and risking their lives to protect people
impressive vases. The style of
84
Democracy
feature

Often, the idea of peace is closely

connected to issues concerning human
rights and democracy. The Magna
Carta (1215), the French Declaration
on the Rights of Man and Citizen
(1789), and the US Constitution
and Bill of Rights (1791) are hailed
as prime examples of the protection
of human rights, democracy and the
right of men to choose their own
government.
Democracy famously started in
Athens. However, despite their lofty
goals, human rights and democracy
usually excluded women, slaves, men
with low incomes or without land
as well as members of religious or
ethnic minorities. In ancient Athens,
for instance, only male citizens (free,
in possession of a property and with
both parents born in Athens) who
had finished their military education
were allowed to vote, roughly 10%
of the population. The autonomous
Grand Duchy of Finland was the first
country to recognise the right for all Mundaneum
adults to vote, in 1906. interior

Mundaneum
a simple idea. What if we
could collect not only all the
knowledge in the world but also
devise an organising and filing
system to make it accessible to
everyone? In a real sense, the
worldwide web started here
more than a century ago. It was
the brainchild of two Belgians,
Henri La Fontaine (1854-1943),
an international lawyer and
pacifist and Paul Otlet (1868-
1944), a visionary, lawyer and
peace activist.
Peace of Westphalia The Peace Palace has been given
exhibition the European Heritage Label by In 1895, they started the
The German Association the European Union. International Office of
of Museums, the Prussian Bibliography, which would
Cultural Heritage Foundation,
the Association of Palaces and THE MUNDANEUM evolve into the Palais Mondial
Gardens in Germany and many An enormous, revolving globe (World Palace) and later, in
others started the exhibition
project “Peace. From Antiquity catches the eye in the central 1924, into the Mundaneum. The
to the Present Day,” which was space of the Mundaneum in Mundaneum captured the world
simultaneously launched in
several museums in the city of Mons (Bergen) in the south on tens of millions of standard
Münster in 2018. Osnabrück, of Belgium. The museum and index cards, organised according
another location of the signing
of the Peace of Westphalia, held archive are nowadays housed to a revolutionary system which
an international youth meeting, in a former department store. was the basis for our library
“Labor Europa” about the shared
ownership of European history
It is an incredible place that catalogues across the globe.
triggers the imagination. The Underneath the structural
Mundaneum started with elements of this ‘paper Google’
 Drawing of the 85
was the founders’ extraordinary World Palace
and visionary idea that the to hold all
information
world would be a better place
if we share our collective
knowledge and learn from it,
to emancipate society through
culture.

Both men and their supporters

were actively involved in The
Hague Peace Conferences of
1899 and 1907. La Fontaine
received the Nobel Prize for
Peace in 1913 for his role in the
peace movement in Europe. He
invested his winnings into their struggled on to 1972. In 1993, One of the original
boxes with
bibliographic ventures. In 1914, the collection moved from information
Otlet published his hopeful Brussels to its adopted home
“La Fin de la Guerre” (The End of Mons. The new reopened
of War) which stressed the Mundaneum is today a
importance of human rights as compromise between the
the foundation of international past and the future. The
cooperation. Both Otlet’s sons interactive exhibitions in
fought in the Belgian army in the beautifully restored building realised – however flawed – in
the Great War and one of them were one of the highlights the peaceful cooperation of 21st
did not come back. This personal during the 2015, when Mons century Europe.
tragedy as well as the global was the European Capital of
catastrophe of World War I made Culture. The Mundaneum has been given
La Fontaine and Otlet strong the European Heritage Label by
advocates for the League of The heritage of Otlet and La the European Union.
Nations (1919), the forerunner Fontaine is now rediscovered, in
of the United Nations. part thanks to the enthusiasm
of Australian academic Boyd Cultural Heritage
Despite its lofty goals and its Rayward, who became the first Protection in Times
influential and passionate worldwide scientific ambassador of War
founders, the story of the for the Mundaneum. The International conventions and
protocols safeguarding heritage
Mundaneum was not a financial internet and the worldwide sites in times of conflict and
success. The organisation web, Wikipedia and Google war make for difficult reading
and international negotiations
struggled to fund its activities made us realise how visionary
are complex. The Netherlands
and in 1934 the huge collection and ingenious the founders of have always played a central
of 15 million index cards, the Mundaneum really were. role, in 1899, in 1907 and - most
importantly - in 1954 in the
100,000 archived letters, Otlet once had the wild dream Peace Palace in The Hague,
reports, newspaper articles that one day, somehow, all the where the International
Convention for the Protection
and millions of images, housed information he collected could of Cultural Property in the
in Brussels, was forced to be accessed by people from the event of Armed Conflict, and
the related First Protocol, were
close its doors. During World comfort of their own homes; a adopted. In the Convention
War II, the Nazis reopened pretty good prediction. Both an emblem, a ‘blue shield’
was introduced, the cultural
the archive, destroyed part of men died in the World War II equivalent of the Red Cross. It
the collection and presented but it is clear that they would is the protective emblem for
marking cultural heritage sites
Third Reich art on its premises. have been pleased that their to protect them from attacks in
After the war, the Mundaneum ideas and ideals would finally be the event of armed conflict.
86 kept in close contact and it is clear The ceremony for the Nobel Peace
feature

that the reason the philanthropist Prize was for many years held at
put the establishment of a prize for the Nobel Institute. From 1947
peace in his will had much to do until 1990, the setting was the
with their friendship. He had also auditorium of the University of
clearly intended her to be one of Oslo. In 1990 the event moved to
its recipients: and so she was - in the Oslo City Hall where it is still
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 1905 – the fifth person and the first held today. In 2015, the award-
Nobel Peace prize
The Nobel Peace Prize, according woman to receive the Nobel Peace giving ceremony of the EU Prize
to the will of Alfred Nobel (1833- Prize. for Cultural Heritage / Europa
1896), should be awarded “to Nostra Awards was held in the
the person who shall have done Von Suttner was a woman who same hall.
the most or the best work for did not fear to boldly go where
fraternity between nations, the no one, especially no woman, In 2012, the Nobel Peace Prize was
abolition or reduction of standing had gone before. Maybe today’s awarded to the European Union
armies and for the holding and world is still riddled with war “for over six decades [having]
promotion of peace congresses.” but at least the overall mindset contributed to the advancement
is that peace is better than war. of peace and reconciliation,
The prize was inspired by peace In a way, all politicians have, at democracy and human rights
activist Bertha von Suttner least officially, become pacifists. in Europe” by a unanimous
(1843-1914) who had once worked In Von Suttner’s time, the late decision of the Norwegian Nobel
as a personal assistant for Alfred 19th century and the beginning Committee.
Nobel in Paris and this meeting of the 20th, peace was not such a
had left a lasting impression on clearly defined goal as it is today.
both. Nobel would support the In that sense, we are all living in Ringing the Bells for
The home of Bertha
peace movement and Bertha’s Bertha von Suttner’s visionary Peace Initiative
von Suttner initiatives for many years. They future. The establishment of the For more than a thousand years,
Nobel Peace Prize gave her the the ringing of bells has signalled
the time for work, for rest and
opportunity to reach an even for prayer. Ringing bells gave an
larger audience. She felt her time audible structure to religious and
secular life. Even today, millions
running out. Physically, she was of bells can be heard daily all
not well and the spectre of World across Europe. Bells in the towers
of churches and city halls, in
War I was casting its dark shadow the belfries of cemeteries and
across the continent. She kept memorial sites uniquely represent
core European values in a way
saying to whoever wanted to listen which can be both seen and heard.
that Europe was one and that
The sound of bells captures the
working together harmoniously essence of the European Year
was the only way forward. Europe, of Cultural Heritage 2018: the
The Oslo City Hall values of solidarity and peace, and
however, was far from ready for our cultural heritage in Europe
Von Suttner’s message of peace and and the wider world.

universal arbitration. Although 2018 marks the 100th year

anniversary of the end of World
she remained hopeful until the end, War I, the start of the Thirty
she died just two months before the Years’ War in 1618 as well as its
end in 1648. To remind us how
outbreak of the Great War. Now, a precious peace is, the Ringing the
hundred years after her death, the Bells for Peace Initiative invited
all owners of bells in Europe to
message of Bertha von Suttner* is
ring the bells together for the
maybe clearer than ever before. International Day of Peace on 21
September 2018, from 18:00 to
The Centre Mondial 18:15. The Peace Palace in The
de la Paix in Verdun. * The life, times and ideals of Bertha von Hague also participated in the
One of the many Suttner are the subject of a dedicated website successful event with a rendition
centres across Europe created by the Peace Palace in The Hague, the of the Ode to Joy, the European
dedicated to peace. Netherlands at berthavonsuttner.com anthem, on its 48 bells carillon.
 87

Europe is First and

Foremost a Peace
Project
The European Movement
International has been promoting
European integration since
1947. Initially called the Joint
International Committee for
European Unity, the organisation
changed its name to the European
Movement on 25 October 1948
after the famous Congress of The
Hague.
That Congress – chaired by
Winston Churchill and held in the
Ridderzaal (the Knight’s Hall) in
the centre of The Hague – brought The Congress
together 800 delegates from of Europe in the
Europe, Canada, and the US to Hague 1948
discuss the development of some
kind of European Union. Konrad
Adenauer, Harold Macmillan,
Bertrand Russell, François Excerpts from the address given by Winston Churchill at the Congress of Europe in The Hague
Mitterrand, Paul-Henri Spaak, (7 May 1948)
Albert Coppé and Altiero Spinelli
were all in attendance. It led to a “The Movement for European Unity must be and pool the luck and the comradeship – and we
call for a political, economic and a positive force, deriving its strength from our shall need all the comradeship and not a little luck
monetary Union of Europe. This sense of common spiritual values. It is a dynamic if we are to move together in this way – and firmly
landmark conference was to have expression of democratic faith based upon moral grasp the larger hopes of humanity, then it may be
a profound influence on Europe’s conceptions and inspired by a sense of mission. that we shall move into a happier sunlit age, when
history. It is for this reason that In the centre of our movement stands the idea of all the little children who are now growing up in
Europa Nostra campaigns to a Charter of Human Rights, guarded by freedom this tormented world may find themselves not the
assign the European Heritage and sustained by law.(...) victors nor the vanquished in the fleeting triumphs
Label to the Ridderzaal in The of one country over another in the bloody turmoil
It is said with truth that this involves some
Hague on the 70th anniversary of of destructive war, but the heirs of all the treasures
sacrifice or merger of national sovereignty. But
the European Movement. of the past and the masters of all the science, the
it is also possible and not less agreeable to regard
Duncan Sandys was the first it as the gradual assumption by all the nations abundance and the glories of the future.”
elected President of the European concerned of that larger sovereignty which can The young historian Felix Klos discussed the
Movement and Léon Blum, alone protect their diverse and distinctive customs story behind Churchill’s speech of 1948 during
Winston Churchill, Alcide De and characteristics and their national traditions
the 70th anniversary of the European Movement
Gasperi and Paul-Henri Spaak all of which under totalitarian systems, whether
International at the Sharing Europe/Congress of
were elected as Honorary Nazi, Fascist, or Communist, would certainly be
the Hague 2018 ceremony on May 25, 2018.
Presidents. In 1949, the European blotted out for ever. (…)
Movement helped to set up the “The survival of the European project ultimately
Council of Europe and later Why should all these hardworking families be
turns on one simple question. It is a question that
created the College of Europe harassed, first in bygone times, by dynastic and
Churchill asked seventy years ago. Here it is: “Is
in Bruges and the European religious quarrels, next by nationalistic ambitions,
and finally by ideological fanaticism? Why should the only lesson from history to be that mankind
Centre of Culture in Geneva. The is unteachable?” I propose that we answer this
organisation strives for a united, they now have to be regimented and hurled
against each other by variously labelled forms of question. I propose we say: no. President John
federal Europe founded on the F. Kennedy said that Churchill, by his art as a
principles of peace, democracy, totalitarian tyranny, all fomented by wicked men,
building their own predominance upon the misery historian, had made the past the servant of the
liberty, solidarity, and respect
and the subjugation of their fellow human beings? future. I propose we all do the same.
for basic human rights. Lord
Duncan Sandys would later, in Why should so many millions of humble homes in The European Union which history has handed
1969, become President of Europa Europe, aye, and much of its enlightenment and us the unfinished product of the deliberations
Nostra, thereby establishing a culture, sit quaking in dread of the policeman’s
in this hall seventy years ago, is not without
bridge between the two European knock? (...)
imperfections. But its faults are just that:
organisations. If we allow ourselves to be rent and disordered by imperfections on the face of virtue. Our Union
Since 2017, the organisation pettiness and small disputes, if we fail in clarity of represents an ideal of high hope which is in danger.
has been led by Eva Maydell view or courage in action, a priceless occasion may It requires all that every European can give it.
(Paunova), the youngest Member be cast away for ever. But if we all pull together Now.”
of the European Parliament.
88 Bianches
National
feature

Cemetery in
France

Europe has been a continent of war and conflict

ever since humans first arrived. In 2018 we
commemorate the end of the Great War (1914-1918).
 89

Endless rows of dark memories

some located in the countryside
lives of hundreds of thousands where whole villages vanished
of soldiers, a century after the overnight, others on the outskirts
guns fell silent, at least for a little of rebuilt and reconstructed
while. towns.

Fog persistently hangs over an The names of the Great War At first glance, World War I is Saint-Remy-la-Calonne
almost featureless landscape of are familiar – the Battle of the now a part of Europe’s past: National Cemetery in
France
flowing fields, cold on an early Somme, the Battle of the Aisne, still remembered but no longer
spring morning. Hundreds of Flanders Fields, the Battle of a part of living history. The
white crosses slowly emerge Verdun, Amiens, Ypres, and last witnesses have died and
from the pale mist, revealing Arras. You cannot visit these their voices have fallen silent.
the last resting place of French meticulously kept cemeteries However, the war has left a
and English soldiers, often very without reflecting on the lost permanent mark on the present,
young, whose lives ended here. It dreams and lost hopes of the on the cities and the landscapes
is just one of the many graveyards men who are buried here, all too that bore witness to the War. Arras after the Great
in Belgium, France and Germany often under crosses with a single The facades of the monumental War
which commemorate the lost word: ‘inconnu’ (unknown). buildings in the beautiful squares Arras today
90
Patarei Sea Fortress in Talinn
feature

Across Europe, we can find many examples of prisons

and psychiatric hospitals used by the authorities – in
wartime and in peace – to isolate political prisoners
from the rest of society and break them physically and
mentally. One of these places of desolation and abuse
is the Patarei Sea Fortress in Estonia. The derelict
building is the largest and most impressive intact
classicist style construction in Estonia. Historically and
culturally, the site represents a complex overview of
Estonia’s history in the 19th and 20th centuries and serves
as a monument to the tens of thousands of political
prisoners detained therein during the Soviet and Nazi
occupations.
Despite its historic and heritage value, the monument is
in an advanced state of decay due to lack of funding from
the owner, the Estonian State, to cover the extensive and
costly rehabilitation project. The site was selected as one
of the 7 Most Endangered sites in Europe by the Board of
Europa Nostra. Graffiti in the Patarei
Fortress
7mostendangered.eu

Photo taken of
Amiens by the US of Arras are now supported by
army after World modern concrete. The remnants
War I
of the trenches and military
foxholes give the now peaceful
hills an unnatural, pockmarked
character where plants and
trees still grow unevenly and
hesitantly.

Many of the cities along the

former battlefields had to be
completely reconstructed after
Douaumont Ossuary the war. In some cases, such as
near Verdun. Design in Ypres, hardly any building
by Léon Azéma, Max
Edrei and Jacques
was left standing. A closer
Hardy look at the charming Somme
and Aisne rivers reveals their
potential for nightmarish The material destruction was
battlefields with treacherous unimaginable. The map of
marshlands and muddy pitfalls. Europe was completely redrawn.
The city of Verdun is now a Royal dynasties, who had ruled
pleasant provincial town but for centuries, fell, and economic
Bomb crater near
Verdun the tremendous trials and and social upheaval laid a firm
tribulations of this city – not just foundation for World War II. How
in World War I – lurk just below towers over a landscape of bomb did we get there?
the surface. At least 230,000 craters, tunnels and destroyed
soldiers died in the so-called forts. The total amount of World War I reached levels of
Hell of Verdun. The Douaumont soldiers and civilians who died human depravity that had never
Ossuary in the northern part in battle, succumbed to their before been seen. The armies
of the town contains the bones injuries or who were victims were ill-prepared for the horrors
of 130,000 unidentified French of disease in the Great War is that awaited them. Many had
and German soldiers, united in probably close to 20 million. expected some kind of large-
death. The massive structure Whole generations vanished. scale conflict. War was in the
 91

(above) View from the

Douamount Ossuary
tower with thousands
of white crosses
The damaged forest
around Verdun today
Soldiers walking near
Ypres, Belgium in 1917
(photograph by Frank
Hurley)

air, so to speak. Some were even destruction of Europe. Yes, the nationalities involved. Travelling
looking forward to teaching their military strategists all knew the along the front lines of 1914-
perceived enemies a lesson. And countries were so interconnected 18, we encounter cemeteries
when on 28 June 1914 Archduke by alliances and colonies that with Indians, New Zealanders,
Franz Ferdinand, heir to the the rest of the world would also Australians, Canadians, and
Austro-Hungarian Empire, was be dragged into it. In the end, Americans. 30,000 Senegalese
murdered in Sarajevo by the however, diplomacy lost and died here for France and
Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip, the nobody backed down. Nobody thousands of Chinese, who were
powder keg of gradually evolved wanted to lose face or look weak employed by the English to bury
European animosity exploded. and the world erupted in a war the dead, have found their last
Yes, there were politicians which destroyed countries, resting place here. The war to end
who tried to stop it, who saw decimated communities and all wars – little did they know –
the chain of events quickly changed the world order forever. pioneered destructive machinery
deteriorate. Yes, all European which took everyone by surprise.
leaders knew that their decision World War I was a war of firsts. It is no wonder that the term
to go to war would result in the Never before were so many shell-shocked was first coined
92 Lone soldier walking
along the trenches
feature

German cemetery
in France with iron
crosses

Soldiers and mule In 2016, “Limburg 1914-1918, Small

with gas masks near stories from a Great War” won
Verdun the Best Achievement Award in
the Heritage in Motion Awards,
organised jointly by Europa
Nostra and the European Museum
Academy in cooperation with
Europeana. The winning project
is a multi-layered endeavour that
smartly combines many different
communication tools to engage
a large general audience in the
personal memories of the Great
War, which has had such a large
impact on the region. Herbecourt British
Cemetery in France
The Jury was unanimous:
“This is an impressive long-term
project which is a testament to the
enthusiasm of the creators and the
local community. This ‘firing on
all cylinders’ approach cleverly
combines many different forms of
media in different settings to tell
emotional and personal stories of the
Great War that hit home.”
www.heritageinmotion.eu/project/
limburg-1914-1918-small-stories-
from-a-great-war

then, as soldiers of the 1916 history, their testimonies and Armistice Day on 11 November
Battle of the Somme suffered memories are still accessible once again served as a sober
extreme and long-lasting trauma to us. For the first time, the reminder of some of the darkest
as a result of their harrowing battles were filmed and officially, years of the continent. It is hard
experiences on the frontline. This professionally photographed, to imagine that a century later,
was the war in which machine the gates of hell forever caught Europe once again has politicians
guns, aerial bombs, and poison on celluloid. Witnesses were who try to put one group against
gas were first used on a large interviewed after the war and the other and create a false
scale. It was the first war with their stories preserved for future narrative of nationalism, often
tanks and flame-throwers. And generations. abusing cultural heritage as a
although there are no living means to an end. The millions
witnesses left and the war has In 2018, we commemorated the of graves across Europe,
faded from living memory into 100th anniversary of the end commemorating the many wars
of the Great War. The year’s fought between nation states,
 The French-Prussian War of
1870/71 was like a gruesome
rehearsal for World War I and 93
when you travel along the WWI
battlefields, you also encounter
older monuments and graves
commemorating this conflict.
A new museum in Gravelotte
shares the stories of this war with
the public. In the fields around
the town – as elsewhere in the
region - you can find many, simply
marked mass graves in which the
tens of thousands of unidentified
bodies of German and French
Cemetery of the soldiers are buried together.
French-Prussian War

Verdun Cathedral
after the war
Verdun Cathedral
today

Senegalese soldiers
In 2016, the European Union Prize during the Great
for Cultural Heritage / Europa War
Nostra Awards in the category
Education Training and Awareness-
Raising was granted to the Belgian
project: “The Great War through
the eyes of a child” in Roeselare.
This creative and innovative
project allowed 14 classes of
primary school pupils to explore
and present their interpretation of
the First World War through the
medium of animation. With the
help of professional audiovisual
artists, the children chose a theme
from historical material sourced
from an educational website. They
then wrote a scenario, created the
graphic characterisation of the
story’s characters, filmed it and,
finally, created the sounds. Each * In 2018, the body
class was encouraged to work with that advises the United
their own local history, lending a Nations Educational,
local significance to the project.
Scientific and Cultural
Organisation UNESCO
should be a stark and lasting signalling a change of provider accomplishment in Europe’s rejected the proposal
to list more than
warning to all Europeans in the – indicates that you are crossing history, no matter what your 80 sites on the 700
spirit of the 1918 promise of the border from one country to opinion is on the European kilometres of frontlines
of the Great War on the
‘Never Again’. the next. The idea that Germany Union. We have now enjoyed 73
World Heritage list.
would declare war on France years of peace in western Europe The advisors see the
When you now drive from Belgium and vice versa, has become an and that is the best way to honour application as a potential
glorification of war while
to France and into Germany, only unimaginable, almost absurd all the soldiers who died in the the applicants see it as
a beep from your smartphone – notion. That is an unprecedented wars of the 20th century.* the opposite.
94 Military camp
in ANSAC
feature

Bay with
the so-called
Sphinx in the
background

The Sphinx today

Commonwealth
graves in ANSAC Bay

ANSAC Bay Lonely Pine

cemetery
 95

The Çanakkale
Martyrs Monument

The Gallipoli Campaign

Detail Commonwealth
1915-16 Cemetery
One of the most horrific battles of World War
I is the Gallipoli Campaign. The Ottoman
Empire had joined the German side in the
Great War in order to deny the English,
French and Russians control of the region.
After trying to win the battle by sea to control
access to Istanbul and the Black Sea, then
Marine Minister of Great Britain Winston
Churchill decided to attack the Ottomans with
ground troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula. It
would prove to be a dramatic choice, leading
to 120,000 deaths. The Gallipoli Campaign
was a total failure. Reports, letters and
eyewitness accounts reveal a desperate battle
which lasted for eight months. The struggle
was sometimes so hopeless that the fighters
from both sides helped each other to save the
wounded and bury the dead. It is a history
of heroism and deep human suffering. The
campaign has gone down in history as one of
the most horrible and most useless campaigns
ever. The Allied forces eventually withdrew now lying in our bosom and are at peace. After and New Zealanders is captured in a series
and the Ottomans were victorious, but in having lost their lives on this land they have of tight, architectural buildings. And names
reality, there were only losers. More than in become our sons as well.” everywhere. Endless rows of names; English,
any other conflict, the survivors soon started Russian and French, German and Turkish,
to commemorate the campaign together. Most of the huge Gallipoli peninsula is now African and Asian.
Kemal Atatürk, who became the leader of the a national park of remembrance and it is
new Turkish Republic after the collapse of the almost impossible to remain untouched in the Gallipoli has become a place of pilgrimage.
Ottoman Empire and who had experienced peaceful tranquility of the many graveyards The beach at Gaba Tepe (ANSAC Bay), the
the horrors of Gallipoli firsthand, wrote in and monuments. Some of the graves are recognisable rock overlooking the bay (The
1934: directly on the sea, close to where the soldiers Sphinx), the hill of the solitary pine tree
fell. Others are on hills in the middle of the (Lonely Pine); they have all become legendary
“There is no difference between the Johnnies green fields, places that were once important places of remembrance. Every year the
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side in the battle. The main Turkish monument commemorative monuments are visited by
by side here in this country of ours. You, the is a huge open stone structure surrounded tens of thousands of people from all over the
mothers who sent their sons from faraway by a forest with graves of glass. The sadness world.
countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are of the English and French, the Australians
96
legacy

Charlemagne and
the European Dream Inside the
Aachen
Cathedral
 Protector of the Aachen Cathedral 97
The famous Carolingian monument can only Commerce and Industry, Wirtz has also been, since
survive thanks to the expertise and dedication of 2003, member of the Board of Trustees of the
hundreds of volunteers. One of these volunteers Aachen Charlemagne Prize.
is Europa Nostra Life Member and businessman
Dipl.-Kfm. Michael Wirtz. Under his board membership, the Aachen
Cathedral underwent a massive €35 million
The Aachen Cathedral is his life-long passion. Since programme of restorations. The exterior
1968, Wirtz has been a member of the board of the renovations were completed in 2006, while
Dombauvereins / Karlsverein for the restoration the interior and basement renovations were
of Aachen Cathedral and has been Chairman of the concluded in 2011, with the cleaning and
European Foundation Aachen Cathedral since 1995. conservation of the magnificent mosaics in the
As the former President of the Aachen Chamber of centre of the octagonal church.

Charlemagne (742/43-814) and united much of western The Aachen Cathedral

with the octagonal
means many different things to and central Europe to create
chapel in the middle
many different people. So much the Carolingian Empire, which
Charlemagne crowned
so that the real historical King of encompassed modern-day by Pope Leo III
the Franks and Emperor of the France, large parts of Germany,
Romans may have disappeared the Netherlands, Belgium,
behind a curtain of myths and Luxembourg and most of
legends. As we explore one Italy. In 800, Charlemagne
of the most famous buildings and unifying. The Franks was crowned “Emperor of the
associated with him, the were one of the few tribes that Romans” by Pope Leo III.
Cathedral of Aachen, Germany, had completely converted to
we look into the life and times of Christianity and Charles set Meanwhile, the growing
the Father of Europe. out to successfully become the influence and ambitions
Christian leader of Europe, the of Charlemagne were not
Charlemagne was an impressive real heir and successor of the very much appreciated in
ruler; tall, decisive, powerful Roman Empire. He conquered Constantinople, the capital
98
legacy

Throne of
Charlemagne in the The real Charlemagne Empire and could not possibly
Aachen Cathedral
In 2014, German scientists
be a Roman Emperor. There
Detail Shrine of the announced, after decennia of was only one true Roman
Virgin research, that the 94 bones
Emperor and this person
in the magnificent Shrine of
Charlemagne with his Charlemagne do indeed belong to resided in Constantinople. A
son Pepin of Italy the King of the Franks and founder
complicating factor was the fact
of the Holy Roman Empire. He
was 1.84 metres and therefore that the Emperor of the Romans
unusually tall for early medieval at the time was a woman,
times, which fits the descriptions
written by his contemporaries. The Empress Irene. According to
medieval biographer, Einhard the the Carolingians that simply
Frank, wrote that Charlemagne
walked with a limp in his old age, meant the throne was empty
which is consistent with the state and Charlemagne was the new
of the skeleton’s kneecaps and
heel bones. The famous bust of the Roman Emperor of East and
emperor in the Aachen Cathedral West. Charlemagne himself
Treasury contains part of his skull
and another relic holder contains was much more subtle in his
one of his shin bones. Some of the approach towards the rulers of
missing Emperor’s bones were
probably given away as gifts to
Constantinople and did not push
dignitaries after his death in 814. of East-Roman Empire, the issue or lay claim to the East-
which considered itself the Roman Empire.
only legitimate continuation
of the Roman Empire. The Real Roman Emperor or not,
‘barbarian’ Charlemagne had Charlemagne had enough to
Autograph of no lineage to the West-Roman deal with in his own kingdom.
Charlemagne
From the moment he assumed probably never managed to read The Torch Project 99
the Frankish throne he had and write at a sufficient level. He by FRH – Future for
started with a series of radical allegedly kept a notebook under Religious Heritage
political and social changes. He his pillow to practice his ABCs. Across Europe, religious
heritage, such as the Aachen
abandoned the gold standard A tall man with – according Cathedral, needs continuous
and established a new, universal to contemporary sources – a maintenance and care. FRG –
Future for Religious Heritage
silver currency. He also surprisingly high voice, he was is a member of the Heritage
introduced one alphabet with a man of simple pleasures who Alliance 3.3 (coordinated by
Europa Nostra) and is a strong
26 letters, which we still use was not interested in pomp and advocate for religious heritage.
today, and standardised weights circumstance. Later in life when For the European Year of Cultural
Heritage, they initiated the Torch
and measures. His tripartite the doctors were prescribing of Heritage and Culture project
system - in which one field lies him healthy foods and boiled to draw attention to Europe’s
religious heritage. The project is
fallow while the other two are meats, he could not resist the
inspired by the Olympic torch. The
used – had a lasting influence traditionally roasted meats FRH Torch is a travelling treasure
on medieval agricultural he adored. According to his box, collecting personal letters
related to religious heritage, from The Shrine of
practice. Early on, he realised biographers, he was not much politicians, artists, scientists and Charlemagne
the importance of education and of a drinker (not more than European citizens across Europe.
Detail Shrine of
he required that all monasteries three cups of wine with a meal) For details on how to participate,
Charlemagne
please visit www.frh-europe.org

and religious institutions should and was keen on music and the place in his octagonal
start schools to teach children arts. Before his death at age 72 chapel (probably
writing, singing, arithmetic in 814, his only surviving son, started in 793 and
and grammar. In several letters Louis the Pious, was crowned now in Aachen
and decrees, he instructed his Emperor. Cathedral)
bishops to educate anyone which was built
who had the desire and the Charlemagne was the with columns
ability to learn. He sponsored embodiment of the so-called and marble
architectural programmes Carolingian renaissance, an from Roman
including for his residential era of cultural prosperity and monuments,
The head
palace with an octagonal chapel, new hope. It was, therefore, no adding a symbolic relic of
which would later become the wonder that Charlemagne’s reign value to the Charlemagne
centre of the famous Aachen would become such a legendary structure
Cathedral. period for his successors. It is and its
hard to overstate the symbolic
Despite his cultural and importance of Charlemagne
religious interests, Charlemagne for medieval Europe. Central
– to his own frustration – to his legacy was his burial
 New technology and ancient fraud
100
Technology and new scientific during which some 19th-century
discoveries have now made it possible archaeologists would unravel mummies
legacy

to look at the inside of culture heritage for a delighted audience during parties
objects without harming them. These in Paris and London. Rich tourists took
technologies have opened a new window mummified hands or heads home to
to our past and the panoramic view is show to their friends. Let us not forget
much richer and detailed than we could that the traditional American brown
ever have imagined. Now we can look bag was partially made of ground up
at the structure of Vincent van Gogh’s (animal) mummies and that mummies
paint (winner of the Heritage in Motion were once even used in medicine as a
Award: heritageinmotion.eu) or rebuild panacea. It seems a miracle that much of
the famous Antikythera Mechanism. the remains have survived at all.
Archaeologists can discover hidden
traces of buildings and roads in the Many of the Egyptian cultural objects
landscape, look through the foliage and and human remains in collections across
into the ground without even lifting a Europe have now been put to the test.
spade. In 2016, for instance, during a Some animal mummies have turned out
restoration of the Church of the Holy to contain nothing but clay and cloth,
Sepulchre in Jerusalem, technicians revealing that it was hard to find enough
used ground-penetrating radar to look falcons to keep up with demand. Some
behind the walls and discovered many human mummies turn out to have three
new aspects of what is believed to be legs or are missing a part of their body
Jesus’ tomb. The results of this intensive as the result of bad mummification. Men
scanning have been converted into a 3D turn out to be women. At the same time,
environment allowing digital visitors better dating methods and DNA research
from across the globe to explore this have made it possible to connect some
closed-off site. of the mummies with other mummies,
revealing family relations.
DNA research allows us to peer into our
past in ways never thought possible. It Many of the relics also turned out to
has also led to some surprises and the be questionable. Only 1 in 20 stands
discovery of quite a few cases of fraud. up to scientific scrutiny according to
During the Crusades, Europe developed experts from Oxford University. Some
a taste for holy relics, which attracted were made in the medieval times. The
devout pilgrims to towns and churches Shroud of Turin is a famous example.
in great numbers. They provided a direct It has also been discovered that some
physical link to the Holy Land and to skeletal remains are just an assortment
Jesus. Important relics gave cities an of bones from several unrelated
economic and cultural boost. In the individuals or even animals. Sometimes
Middle East meanwhile, many were research generates a sensation, such as
ready to sell to eager Christians who the discoveries around St. Nicolas, the
were looking for precious souvenirs. inspiration for the Dutch Sinterklaas and
The churches and cathedrals of Europe, Santa Claus. His remains were stolen in
therefore, contain thousands and 1087 from Myra in today’s Turkey and
thousands of bones and objects of the brought to Bari, Italy to stimulate the
Saints and the Holy Family as well as local economy. It has now been proven
items of clothing; from pieces of wood that a few of the bones which were left
and nails from the Holy Cross to the behind in Myra, do indeed belong to the
Holy Grail and even furniture made same 4th-century individual interred in
by Jesus in his father’s workshop. The Bari. Even his face has been digitally
Maria Shrine of Aachen Cathedral reconstructed, showing a broken nose,
contains four different relics of which at perhaps the result of a fight he got
least Mary’s cloak has been tested and involved in with Arian bishops during
produced results which suggest that it the First Council of Nicaea in 325. It
can be dated to the right period. does not prove that it is St. Nicolas but
it proves that at least some part of the
Another example is the many new story is true. The results bring history
discoveries concerning ancient into the present with a bang. Meanwhile,
mummies. Egyptian mummies caused the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and
a sensation in Europe when they were Culture wants the bones returned,
first discovered. They soon fell victim to as they claim they had been illegally
rigorous, almost morbid entertainment acquired.

The pulpit of Aachen founder. According to legend, not have known one year from three days, the forgotten tomb
Cathedral the emperor was only resting the other, Europe’s elite was was rediscovered. The emperor
until his people needed him once keenly aware of these potentially was still sitting on a throne, in
again. That time had come two prophetic times. The young full regal dress. Although his
centuries after his death when emperor Otto III went on a bony fingers had broken through
Europe faced the year 1000. pilgrimage to Aachen to meet his gloves and part of his nose
Although most Europeans would Charlemagne face to face. After had fallen off, his remains were
surprisingly well preserved. 101
Otto III helped to restore and
redress the emperor, repaired
his nose, cut his fingernails, took
one of his teeth for good luck and
had him reburied. His discovery
did not bring him much luck. He
died 2 years later. He was buried
close to his hero and ancestor.

Holy Emperor Frederick

Barbarossa re-opened the
tomb of Charlemagne in 1165
and reburied his remains under
the floor of the church. In
1215, Frederick II – who was a
patron of science and the arts
and felt a clear affection to the
golden legacy of Charlemagne’s
times – personally moved
The Charlemagne Prize act now. (...) a symphony written yesterday
Charlemagne’s bones and placed
or Karlspreis is named but to continue writing our
them in a silver and gold shrine. Europe is a utopia. It’s a
after Charlemagne and has unfinished score, because it’s
tangible utopia, as your
been, since 1950, one of the our challenge, because it’s our
presence here shows. So this
most high profile European duty, because it’s probably
Nowadays the Shrine of awards. In 2018, Emmanuel
utopia exists. When, nearly 70
our vocation and because I’m
years ago, Denis de Rougemont
Charlemagne has a central place Macron, President of the profoundly convinced that it’s
suggested taking a huge step
French Republic received being decided now!”
in the Aachen Cathedral, next to with a charter of rights, people
the Charlemagne Prize.
the Shrine of the Virgin or the said, “he’s an intellectual, a Since 2008 there is also a
His acceptance speech was
poet, this won’t happen” and youth award, the European
Maria Shrine (1238). This golden a celebration of the unity
we did it – maybe you had to Charlemagne Youth Prize
of Europe and its many
shrine contains some of the accomplishments but at the
be a man of letters or an artist for young people who are
to dare suggest it. Utopians instrumental in the process of
most important Christian relics same time, it was a warning
are pragmatists and realists. European integration.
not to be complacent.
in Germany; the beheading cloth (…) Let us demonstrate this
The patrons of the
of Saint John the Baptist, the “(...) Let’s not be weak but strength of mind today, and
Charlemagne Prize Foundation
make a choice; let’s not be even more so tomorrow and
loincloth worn by Jesus during divided but unite; let’s not be the day after, in wanting to
are King Philippe of Belgium,
King Felipe VI of Spain and
the crucifixion, the swaddling afraid but be bold enough to create this Europe, which
Henri, the Grand Duke of
do things and live up to our created the Carolingian era
clothes of the baby Jesus and a Luxembourg.
histories, and let’s not wait, let’s we’re in today, not to honour
cloak of his mother Mary. On
the wall opposite both shrines
is the early 11th-century pulpit is assembled from used stones octagonal central Carolingian German Chancellor
Angela Merkel and
with precious stones, ivory and from the Holy Land, with some chapel of the cathedral, which is French President
Roman glass objects. The altar, speculation that some of these now mostly covered in colourful Emmanuel Macron
during the Karlspreis
the Pala d’Oro, is an 11th-century stones may come from the 19th-century mosaics, the spirit Ceremony in Aachen,
masterpiece with seventeen gold Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Charlemagne’s renaissance 10 May 2018
reliefs. in Jerusalem. It was believed lives on. Maybe it is time to
that Christ himself had touched awaken the Father of Europe
Perhaps the most symbolic the stones, thereby blessing once again. The 21st century may
object of the cathedral is found anyone who was seated on it. need his unifying qualities more
on the first floor of the church. than ever.
The Throne of Charlemagne Standing in front of the throne,
(built around 800) was used looking down to the Jerusalem In 2018, Aachen Cathedral
until the 16th century to crown Chandelier (from the 13th celebrated 40 years as a
the German kings. The throne century) in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
102
lıvıng herıtage

An Ode to Joy
All across the continent, Europeans are
The RTÉ
celebrating their heritage by sharing their own Philharmonic Choir
sang the Ode to Joy at
version of Beethoven’s famous music the UNESCO World
Heritage Site Brú na
Bóinne in Ireland

In January 2018, on the occasion Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous cultural heritage brings to our
of the European Year of Ode to Joy has become a symbol daily lives.
Cultural Heritage, Europe of Europe, the official anthem
Maestro Plácido
Domingo recorded a Nostra’s President, Maestro of Europe. The Maestro and The Maestro challenged
special video message Plácido Domingo, asked Europa Nostra strongly believe everyone to create their own
to launch the Ode to
Joy Challenge on 31 everyone to participate in a that we should share our Ode to Joy at a heritage site
January 2018 special #Ode2Joy Challenge. passion for Europe and the joy which matters to them and
to share the results on social
media on 9 May, Europe Day.
This was the start of a year-long
project – the initiative will run
until 9 May 2019 – to upload and
share any musical, creative and
imaginative interpretation of
Ode to Joy, such as professional
and amateur musical
performances, photographs,
videos, drawings, cartoons,
apps, games, dances, designs,
stories or poems.

The Challenge was an immediate

success and on Europe Day
more than a hundred different
contributions were shared 103
online. During the European
Heritage Award Ceremony
in Berlin on 22 June, video
compilations were shown of
some of the remarkable entries,
including the RTÉ Philharmonic
Choir at the UNESCO World
Heritage Site Brú na Bóinne
in Ireland and choreographed

Ludwig van
Beethoven
(Ferdinand Georg
BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in
Waldmüller, 1823)
Brussels (Belgium).

The Ode2Joy Challenge is

a strong, symbolic way to
celebrate Europe through
the beauty of its tangible
Friedrich and intangible heritage and
Schiller
through an inclusive civil
society initiative which speaks
dances filmed at industrial to the hearts and minds of “Deine Zauber binden wieder Opera star Jorge
Chaminé and
heritage sites across Europe for people. It is an ideal way to Was die Mode streng geteilt; President of the
the ERIH “Work It Out” event. involve schools, not only to Alle Menschen werden Brüder, European Music
Centre admires
teach about Europe but also to Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.”
Beethoven’s Ode
The Challenge is on-going and discuss our shared humanity to Joy manuscript
the final results of the project and our collective history and Friedrich, or Fritz as he was in the Berlin State
Library, together
will be celebrated on 9 May heritage. It is also a unique commonly known, was a man with Europa Nostra
2019 when EU leaders will hold opportunity to rediscover the who forged his own destiny. The Secretary-General,
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
a symbolic EU-Summit in Sibiu, important symbolism of the historian and poet had a strong
Mihailović. The
Romania, to discuss the future lyrics which inspired Ludwig social compass and died young, handwritten
of the European Union. van Beethoven. German poet at age 45. Like his friend Goethe, manuscript was
added to the UNESCO
Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) he wanted to make society Memory of the World
The project is supported by wrote the poem in 1785 to more just and inclusive. He Programme Heritage
list in 2001
many Ambassadors such as celebrate the fraternity and believed in the power of joy and
the European Union Youth unity of all mankind as well as in the arts as a force for life. He The manuscript pages
which contain the
Orchestra (EUYO), the Liszt the joy of life. In 1803 he revised strongly believed in education. famous phrase “Alle
Ferenc Academy of Music in it and created its most famous People had to learn from their Menschen werden
Brüder’
Budapest (Hungary) and the sentences: past because Mit der Dummheit
104
lıvıng herıtage

The famous tenor Joseph Calleja recorded his version of the Ode to Joy
in his home town of Valetta, Malta in the Our Lady of Victory church,
the oldest church of Valetta, lovingly restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa, the
National Trust of Malta

The European Union

Youth Orchestra A video still of
(led by Marshall E-FAITH’s recording
Marcus) recorded with special chimney
a special version of hats
the Ode to Joy used
at the opening of the
European Heritage
Awards Ceremony in
Berlin on 22 June.
A rock band from
Mostar recorded their
version of Ode to Joy
underneath the Jajce
Waterfall in Bosnia
and Herzegovina

kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens film Help, Stanley Kubrick’s A

(against stupidity even the Gods Clockwork Orange, renditions
fight in vain). performed by the Muppets and
as the theme tune of UEFA and
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770- FIFA. Many have been enthused
1827) was inspired by Schiller’s by it.
The official version of poem and included a choral
the European anthem
movement in his Symphony No. The original manuscript of the
was arranged by
Herbert von Karajan 9 in D minor. By then he had Ode to Joy music lies in the
already completely lost his sense Berlin State Library and is part
of hearing. It was the first choral of the UNESCO Memory of the
symphony ever and it would Herbert von Karajan) does not World Programme Heritage
be Beethoven’s last, finished use Schiller’s inspiring words, list. It was shown to the
in 1824 when his health was just the universal language of participants of the European
already seriously failing. He also music. Cultural Heritage Summit in
died relatively young, at age 57. Berlin in June 2018.
With or without the words, the
Beethoven was not so sure music has inspired millions The #Ode2Joy Challenge
about using Schiller’s words over the years. The 9th is one of officially ends on 9 May 2019
and was even contemplating the most performed pieces of but a follow-up project may be
taking them out. Luckily, he did classical music and its Ode to developed for the celebrations
not. Interestingly, the official Joy can be heard in thousands of Beethoven’s 250th birthday
European anthem (arranged by of versions, from the Beatles’ in 2020.
 www.exponatec.de
www.exponatec.com

Kooperationspartner von . cooperation partners

Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln, Germany

Tel. +49 180 6267747, [email protected]
 Danse
106
feature

Macabre Europe’s heritage is often a reflection of our

continuous struggle with the prospect of death

If we look at ourselves in the

deep mirror of history we would
see more than a dozen ghostly
reflections for each of the 742
million Europeans alive today.
The dead currently outnumber the
living 15 to 1. If we start calculate
from around 8,000 B.C., at the
onset of European civilisation,
Europe’s past generations number
approximately 11 billion people.
Charnel house of the Cemetery of the
Holy Innocents, Paris
No wonder that the deceased are
a large part of our tangible and the prospect of death. For most
intangible heritage. Often, our of Europe’s history ‘he’ was
earliest heritage monuments are an everyday companion. Hard
graves or sites commemorating numbers are rare, but the life
the dearly departed. Yet, for all expectancy in Europe was lowered
its familiarity, death was and is by diseases, wars, famines and
an inconvenient and often feared especially high infant mortality
companion of life. Our questions and childbirth deaths. Although
surrounding the mysteries of Europeans are now among the
death lie at the heart of our longest living, for centuries death
religions, our philosophies and was just one breath away. The
our artistic expressions, from Greek philosopher Euripides
literature to music, from films to wrote: “No one can confidently say
sculpture. No matter that all our that he will still be living tomorrow,”
ancestors euphemistically have and this complicated uncertain
gone to meet their maker or are relationship with death and
pushing up daisies, are resting in the dead has inspired the living
peace or have kicked the bucket to imagine how our ancestors
and joined the great majority, the communicate from beyond the
living always try to find new ways grave. In which ways could the
to stay calm and collected in face dead be actively interacting with
of the inevitable. the realm of the living?

Large collection
of Roman urns in
Europe’s heritage is a reflection In one period the European
Aquileia, Italy of our continuous struggle with relationship with the dead was
 107

extremely volatile. During The bubonic plague made no a last celebration of life before Der Doten Dantz
(Bayerische
the Black Death pandemic distinction between the rich they are pulled into the grave. Staatsbibliothe.
(1347-52), at least one-third of and the poor, the righteous or The elaborate and rich imagery 1488)
the European population died the sinful, the young or the old, was officially first depicted in a The Dance of Death:
almost overnight. Giovanni between townsfolk or villagers. 1425 fresco painted on the wall of Woodcut by Hans
Holbein (before 1538)
Boccaccio (1313-75), who was The emotional impact of the the Holy Innocents’ Cemetery in
The Orchestra of the
a witness, wrote: “How many continuous presence of death Paris. That mural is unfortunately
Dead: Woodcut by
valiant men, how many fair and the loss of so many relatives now lost. The 26 metres tapestry Michael Wolgemut
ladies, had breakfast with their and friends, even of whole Totentanz, designed by Bernt (1493)

family and supper with their communities, generated very Notke (1440-1508) for St. Mary’s
ancestors.” In some villages, specific artistic expressions Church in Lübeck, Germany
more than 90% of the population which would spread across was also destroyed (in the late
succumbed to the disease. It was Europe. The Triumph of Death, 17th century, and a replica was
a disaster on a scale never before for instance, can be seen in destroyed during World War
experienced and its effects on all many paintings and murals, II). Notke also created a Danse
aspects of society would be felt with death standing in victory Macabre for St. Nicholas’ Church
for generations. It changed the over the living. It is, however, in Tallinn, Estonia which has
medieval world in such a dramatic another depiction of death which survived up to the present day,
way that it is hard to overstate would be even more influential one of the examples which can
the psychological, religious and in Europe’s art history, from still be found across Europe, from
economic implications. In a real medieval times up to the present London to Finland, from Croatia
sense, on the ruins of one of the day: the Danse Macabre or Dance to France. A stunning version
largest tragedies ever to hit the of Death. It captures the moment of the allegory can be found in
European continent, with over a in which the dead encounter the Church of the Holy Trinity
hundred million Europeans dead, the living. The dead invite the in the small village of Hrastovlje
The Dance of Death
a new world order was arising reluctant dying to take their in Slovenië, a work by John of by Vincent Kastav
from its ashes. bony hand for one last dance, Kastav (1490). One of the most (1471)
108
feature

Danse Macabre
beautiful murals is found on the a king as much as for a labourer. And 19th century Romanticism
in the Italian
village Clusone outside walls of the Basilica of You could even read the vivid reinvented the Danse Macabre as
Details mural in the north Italian town Clusone depictions as a form of social a perfect example of Gothic art.
Clusone and was painted by Giacomo commentary. Clusone has hosted Poets, painters and especially
de Burchis. The lively painting several conferences on the Danse composers embraced the dance
(1484-85) shows all the elements Macabre motif in art, during with death as a perfect theme
of the fascination with death which experts identified 150 for emotional depth. It has
so specific to the period, with a different Danse Macabre murals never lost its appeal since. Franz
triumphant Death standing over across the continent. Liszt’s Totentanz from 1849,
the living, reminding them of for instance, is a bold piece of
the fact that the righteous need The theme never lost its artistic almost aggressive music which
not fear death. We see the dead appeal, even when the memory paraphrases the melody of the
dance with an innkeeper, a bailiff, of the Black Death slowly started Day of Wrath, the Dies Irae.
a young man of letters and a to fade. The woodcuts of Hans Mussorgsky, Mahler, Schönberg
group of vain women. The Danse Holbein the Younger in his all tried to capture the dance in
Macabre shows death as the great very successful and influential new musical ways. The most
equaliser, who comes for the Dance of Death (1526) showed famous of them all is the Danse
pope as easily as for a beggar, for death’s role throughout history. Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns,
Skull-themed Pocket watch of Mary, This scultpture 109
Queen of Scots by French watchmaker – clearly inspired
J. Moysan of Blois with a telling quote by the Danse
by Horace: “Pale death visits with an Macabre – shows
impartial foot the cottages of the poor the body of René
and castles of the rich.” of Chalon three
years after his
death. Created by
by French sculptor
Ligier Richier in
1545-7. Church of
St. Étienne, Bar-le-
Duc, France.

an 1874 piano piece that was later

developed for a more complex
setting. We hear Death waking the
dead with his slightly out-of-tune
violin for a wild, nightly dance in
the graveyard, with the rhythmic
rattling of bones on a xylophone,
an instrument which had never
before been used in an orchestra.

Recently, the history of the

Black Death was rewritten. We
can no longer blame rats and
other rodents for spreading the
disease. It turned out to be us
humans who fled from infected
cities and villages that brought
the killer bacteria to the outskirts
of Europe. The horrors of the
bubonic plague may no longer
haunt us but the cultural heritage
of the Danse Macabre motif is still
very much with us today, possibly The Dance of
Death (replica of
because our relationship with 15th century fresco,
death is still as fragile and final as National Gallery of
Slovenia)
it was more than 500 years ago.
110
partner

A Solid Foundation
for Heritage
The European Foundation Centre (EFC) is the voice of
institutional philanthropy in Europe.
Ernst-Ludwig
Kirchner, Street scene
(1914)

The EFC is the official platform of the exhibition “From

for foundations, corporate Tiepolo to Richter, European
funders and other funding dialogue.” The project was a
organisations to catalyse joint unique opportunity for the
projects to tackle many of participating foundations
today’s greatest challenges. to introduce themselves to
European institutions.
All of their members have their
own financial resources which The exhibition underlined
they deploy strategically. They the importance of the actions
are independently governed and undertaken by the European
use private resources for public foundations to encourage the
good. preservation of our cultural
heritage for future generations.
For the European Year The theme of the exhibition
of Cultural Heritage, 15 was ‘shared cultural heritage
foundations* of this European- connecting Europeans.’ Works
wide partnership shared their of art are a bridge between
passion for safeguarding cultures and countries and
cultural heritage and presented they bring European citizens
some of the major works closer together. Auguste Rodin,
from their collections as part Giovanni Battista Tiepolo,
 To celebrate the European Year 111
of Cultural Heritage 2018, the
European Foundation Centre
Conference (29-31 May) was
held under the theme “Culture
matters: Connecting citizens,
uniting communities”. On this
occasion, Europa Nostra, in
cooperation with the Calouste
Gulbenkian Foundation
(Portugal) and the Cariplo
Foundation (Italy) organised
a session entitled “United
in Diversity: Strengthening
European Identity through our
Shared Cultural Heritage” on 31
May in Brussels.

Léon Spilliaert,
The Absinth
Drinker (1907)

Jacob Jordaens and Albrecht as well as a collection of coins

• Finnish Cultural Foundation
Dürer as well as modern artists dating from the 7th to the 18th (Finland)
Gerhard Richter, Ernst Ludwig century. • Fundação Calouste
Kirchner, Constant, Maria Gulbenkian (Portugal)
Helena Vieira da Silva and Léon This exhibition’s story gives • Fondazione Cariplo (Italy)
Saastamoinen Foundation
Spilliaert; they are cultural the opportunity to create a
(Finland)
ambassadors, encouraging dialogue between the different
• Wihury Foundation (Finland)
exchange between European works from different collections Swedish Cultural Foundation
citizens. Cultural heritage and to emphasize the way art, (Finland)

has been a major inspiration styles, and artists travelled from • Stiftelsen Pro Artibus
(Finland)
for Europe’s artists over the country to country, thereby Fondazione Cassa di
centuries. delivering a strong message to Risparmio di Lucca (Italy)
European leaders and decision • Fondazione CRT (Italy)
The exhibition was an makers. • Rembrandt Vereniging (the
initiative of the King Baudouin Netherlands)

Foundation and included about The ground-breaking exhibition • Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds
(the Netherlands)
60 works of art dated between was held from May 24 to
• King Baudouin Foundation
the 15th and 20th century. The September 30, 2018, at the Art &
(Belgium)
works consist of paintings, History Museum in the centre of
• Oriente Foundation (Portugal)
sculptures, graphic art, Brussels. Olbricht Foundation Berlin
books, tapestry, photographs, (Germany)

porcelain and silver objects, • Fondazione Banca del Monte

di Lucca (Italy)
112
youth

Lessons to Learn
In a way it was the students Already in ancient Greece, course, higher education was
students travelled to study with something for free men only.
and the scholars who were the right teacher and to examine It was, however, not the same
the first Europeans, laying ancient scrolls and manuscripts. everywhere. In Sparta, for
the foundation of a European Physical education was seen as instance, free women were also
being as important as studying educated and trained in music
culture based on empirical philosophy or learning to and dance. They were also able
research and knowledge. read, write and calculate. Of to wrestle, run and throw a
 113
‘The School of
Athens’ by Raphael
(1483–1520)

Fair of European Innovators in Cultural Heritage

On 15 - 16 November 2018, Brussels, the European had the opportunity to join the ‘Community of
Union organised a showcase event to promote Innovators in Cultural Heritage’ and its platform
research & innovation in cultural heritage. The to engage with innovation providers, users and
Fair built on the results of the ‘Heritage and investors.
Innovation’ conference in February 2018 and
focused on the next steps and contributions to the An exhibition showcased around 40 breakthrough
EU Action Plan on Cultural Heritage. innovations developed by EU funded Research
& Innovation projects in the fields of tangible,
The event especially promoted stronger ties intangible and digital cultural heritage. Innovations
between research & innovation, policies and arts include advanced technologies, IT products,
to create an open cultural heritage innovation systems and services as well as business and
ecosystem in Europe and beyond. Participants organisational models.

Higher education in ancient and interpretation of religious Roman Library of

Rome was more informal and texts became increasingly Celsus in Ephesus,
Turkey
private and loosely based on the important. The higher learning
javelin. The most famous school Greek system. Slaves or freed possibilities concentrated in the
was Plato’s Academy, which slaves would educate the well- cathedral and monastic schools.
was founded in 397 B.C. The off boys as well as some girls, The Greek schools continued but
Greek philosophers did not although rarely together. The had fallen on hard times. Plato’s
spend all their time in class, Greeks valued music and the school officially closed in the 6th
they travelled around and arts as well as physical training. century after Justinian’s edict
taught in different locations. The Romans not so much. To be to close all pagan educational
Aristotle, for instance, was born able to speak, discuss and debate institutions.
south-east of Thessaloniki, was were considered to be the most
a student of Plato in Athens, important skills. The first real university in
started his own school in Europe was the University of
Assos and was the teacher of After the fall of the Roman Bologna, Italy (1088/1158),
Alexander the Great. Empire in the west, the study followed by universities such as
114
youth

Cultural Heritage Counts for

Europe
Cultural Heritage Counts for
Europe is a cooperation project
that shows that Cultural
Heritage is a strategic resource
for a sustainable Europe
27,000 Interrail and can play an important
passes and role in helping to deliver
counting... Europe’s social, economic and
environmental priorities. The
The DiscoverEU initiative
Bodleian Library, has convinced the EU to offer knowledge and science they still study provides - for the first time
Oxford, UK (photo by 27,000 free interrail passes
David Iliff) are today. - the evidence base to clearly
to 18-year-olds. One of the
important selection criteria is the demonstrate the wide-ranging
motivation to visit at least one The universities are not only benefits of investing in Cultural
European Cultural Heritage site
and share it on social media. cultural heritage themselves, Heritage.
they are also vital for research
and innovation projects in the The project was coordinated by
Oxford, UK (1167), Salamanca, field of heritage, especially in Europa Nostra in partnership
Spain (1218) and Padua, Italy this European Year of Cultural with 5 other organisations:
(1222). The rediscovery of Heritage. The European ENCATC (the leading European
the knowledge of the ancient Union has a wide variety of network on arts and cultural
world, for a substantial part, programmes and projects which management and policy
preserved and improved upon connect universities across education), Heritage Europe-
by Middle-Eastern and North Europe with cultural heritage EAHTR (European Association
University of Bologna,
Italy (1350s) by
African scholars, made European research. Europa Nostra is of Historic Towns and Regions,
Laurentius a Voltolina universities into the centres of involved in many of them. UK), the International Cultural

Copernicus
The free and open data and such as land-use change maps,
information delivered by the natural subsidence, ground motion
EU Copernicus programme detection, risk assessment maps,
represent a valuable resource for archaeological sites monitoring and
Cultural Heritage monitoring identification (e.g. buried sites),
and preservation at European monitoring of the destruction
and global level. It contributes or looting of sites, urban sprawl
to tangible and natural cultural monitoring, climate change
heritage preservation and indicators, air pollution monitoring,
management. Earth Observation coastline monitoring (erosion) and
(EO) data is becoming increasingly bathymetry.
instrumental, with numerous
projects and applications aimed
at providing products tailored
to the needs of cultural heritage
 Former EU 115
Centre (Krakow, Poland), the Commissioner and
Raymond Lemaire International Vice-President
of Europa Nostra
Centre for Conservation (KU Androulla Vassiliou,
Leuven, Belgium), and the Jimmy Jamar, Head
Heritage Alliance (as associate of the European
Commission
partner from England). Representation
The project is made possible in Belgium and
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
with the support of the Culture Mihailović, Secretary-
Programme of the European General of Europa
Nostra in May 2018,
Union.
Paris

The follow-up project

ILUCIDARE emphasises the
potential of cultural heritage
as a strategic resource for
sustainable development, as
well as the need for creating an train, gain experience, and Erasmus student exchange
enabling environment through volunteer abroad. Established programme, facilitated by the
participatory governance in 1987 and set to last at least European Union.
and stakeholder engagement. until 2020, Erasmus+ doesn’t
Europa Nostra is once again a just have opportunities for Horizon 2020
partner in this new, exciting students. Merging seven Horizon 2020 is the largest
project. prior programmes, it has EU Research and Innovation
opportunities for a wide variety programme ever with nearly
of individuals and organisations. €80 billion of funding available
over 7 years (2014 to 2020).
When former European EU Commissioner Tibor
Commissioner for Education, Navracsics has proposed to
Culture, Multilingualism and double that amount in the
Erasmus+
Youth (now Vice-President future. By coupling research
Erasmus+ is the EU’s of Europa Nostra) Androulla and innovation, Horizon 2020
programme to support Vassiliou was asked what she puts an emphasis on excellent
education, training, youth, was most proud of during her science, industrial leadership
and sport in Europe. Its budget tenure, she said the thousands and tackling societal challenges.
of €14.7 billion provides of babies born as a result of the The goal is to ensure Europe
opportunities for over 4 relationships sparked between produces world-class science,
million Europeans to study, students taking part in the removes barriers to innovation

University Cooperation across Europe Time Machine

Inspired by the call for the creation Networks, of about four to six Europa Nostra is a partner in the together research teams from all
of a European University by partners each, would be operating Time Machine project, a large- over Europe and the participation
Emmanuel Macron, President of cooperatively to strengthen scale ambitious programme to of about 200 institutions. The goal
France, many universities have academic performance and boost make 2,000 years of European of this consortium is to develop
started to form alliances to work European synergy. The initiative history accessible to all Europeans. new technologies for the scanning,
more closely together. The project should increase mobility, promote The project is currently applying analysis, access, preservation
is co-financed by the European top expertise and the high quality for financing. It is the most and communication of cultural
Union. of education and research, and ambitious project ever on heritage on a large scale. Data
to take the current cooperation European culture and identity. extracted from this digital heritage
The objective is that by 2024, models of higher education Computer and Data Sciences, are the basis for the reconstruction
approximately 20 of these cross- institutions considerably further. Physics and Chemistry, Material of the historical evolution of
border European University
Sciences and Robotics plan to join Europe and will make visible the
forces with the Humanities to economic, cultural and migration
open a new paradigm for Historical networks, revealing a common
Sciences. Time Machine brings history of Europe.
116 Sculpture of Interpret Europe, the European
Erasmus by Association for Heritage
Interpretation, is a member of the
youth

Hendrick de
Keyser (1622) European Heritage Alliance 3.3,
(photo by a network coordinated by Europa
Jannes Linders) Nostra.

Coimbra Interpret Europe was awarded

University, the European Commission’s
Portugal Altiero Spinelli Prize for the
paper, “Engaging citizens with
Library of the Europe’s Cultural Heritage.” The
University of Prize is granted to outstanding
Bologna, Italy contributions to broaden the
ownership of the European
project. The paper relates to
recent findings on the wider
European public’s values.
Based on this review, it offers
recommendations on how to use
heritage interpretation to reflect
upon Europe’s shared values.

European Heritage Label ranging network of development

There are two important bodies, tourism, education and
universities which were granted
the European Heritage Label creative industries, cultural
of the European Union, which heritage professionals, academic
celebrates their European
significance: the Library of the
experts, arts practitioners,
University of Coimbra, Portugal professionals in archives and
and the University of Tarty,
galleries, associations and
Estonia.
Le Collège des Bernardins in Paris interest groups representative
Over the years, many universities
have won the EU Prize for of non-professionals and local
Cultural Heritage / Europa and makes it easier for the societies, and policy-makers.
Nostra Awards, either as the
result of a restoration or in the public and private sectors to The aim is to give culture and
field of research, such as the work together in delivering cultural heritage a greater,
Royal College of Spain, the
University of Alcalá, Spain and innovation. Cultural heritage more relevant and even
Charles University in Prague, has been of growing interest to transformative role.
Czech Republic to name but a
few. Horizon 2020 funding over the
last 4 years.
Le Collège des Bernardins in
Paris, France won a Grand Prix in
2010. The restoration revealed an One example is the Virtual
exceptional building of medieval
civic architecture. After more Multimodal Museum
than two centuries of neglect, (ViMM), a high-visibility and
the College offers once again its
gifts of intellectual and spiritual participative Coordination
enrichment to contemporary and Support Action in which
society.
Europa Nostra participates.
ViMM brings together Europe
and the world’s leading public
Inner courtyard Padua University,
and private sector organisations Italy
working in Virtual Museums
and in the wider sector of Digital
On 19 September 2018 Europa
Cultural Heritage.
Nostra UK organised the conference
‘European Historic Universities
Another example is the as World Heritage Sites’ in Oxford,
UK to initiate a pan-European
REACH project which will dialogue to strengthen the cultural
establish a social platform as a heritage aspects of European
historic universities through a joint
sustainable space for meeting initiative. The challenges facing
and collaborating within a wide- such a grouping will be investigated.
University of Alcalá, Spain
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118
Father of Europe
legacy

60 years ago, the European Parliament gave Robert

Schuman the title ‘Father of Europe’.

It is hard to shake the notion

Robert
Schuman that the area of Europe where
Robert Schuman (1886-1963)
grew up had something to do
with his European ideals. He
was clearly a man whose life was
deeply influenced by borders
and conflicts. His father hailed
from Evrange in Alsace-Lorraine
(which had become German
after the French-Prussian War of
1870-1877) and his mother came
from Luxembourg. Schuman
was born in Luxembourg and
studied in Strasbourg (which
was then German) and set up
a law practice in Metz (which
was then also German). After
World War I the border between
the countries changed and Metz
and Strasbourg became French
once again after the Treaty of
Versailles. Schuman became –
at age 32 – a French national.
He would be one of many who
changed nationalities without
ever moving to another country.
People in this border region
used to joke that they were very
international as they had moved
from one country to the next
without ever leaving their home.

Schuman never experienced

the horrors of World War I
firsthand (he was not drafted
for medical reasons) but knew
many who had. After the war, he
worked in regional politics and
when World War II broke out he
was appointed Parliamentary
Undersecretary of State for
refugees. On his return to Metz,
 119

he was arrested and imprisoned. which would pool coal and steel
After World War II, he helped production, laid the foundation
to negotiate several important for the European Union.
post-War treaties as President of
the Council (1947) and Foreign Schuman stated: “Europe will
Minister (1948-1952) such as not be made all at once, or
the Council of Europe and according to a single plan. It
the North Atlantic Treaty. will be built through concrete The Robert Schuman
His finest moment would, achievements which first create Franco-German production House (Scy-Chazelles,
however, come on May 9, 1950, a de facto solidarity. The coming of coal and steel as a whole be France)

when he – based on the ideas together of the nations of Europe placed under a common High Scy-Chazelles, France

of Jean Monnet – presented requires the elimination of the Authority, within the framework
the concept for a new form of age-old opposition of France and of an organization open to
political cooperation in Europe, Germany. Any action taken must the participation of the other
which would make war between in the first place concern these countries of Europe.”
Europe’s nations unthinkable. two countries. With this aim in
His proposal - known as the view, the French Government Schuman was also the first
Schuman Declaration - for proposes that action is taken President of the European
the creation of the European immediately on one limited but Parliament, which awarded him
Coal and Steel Community decisive point. It proposes that on March 19, 1958, the title of
120
legacy

Although both Robert Schuman and The study centre

Jean Monnet have been called the of the Robert
‘Father of Europe,’ they were two in Schuman House
a group of more than ten visionary
European leaders, the official
‘Founders of Europe.’
• Konrad Adenauer of West
Germany. The first chancellor
of West Germany and one of the
movement’s key figures.
• Alcide De Gasperi of Italy. Italian
Prime Minister, another key
figure who was involved in the
creation of the Council of Europe.
• Joseph Bech of Luxembourg.
Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Bech was instrumental in the
establishment of the European
Economic Community in 1958.
• Johan Beyen of the Netherlands.
Dutch Foreign Minister and an Desk of Robert The kitchen
architect of the common market Schuman
after 1955.
• Winston Churchill of the United
Kingdom. British Prime Minister
‘Father of Europe.’ His famous and banker, who felt at home
who called for a ‘United States of 1950 speech is commemorated in Scandinavia, China, Russia,
Europe’.
annually on 9 May, Europe Day. Egypt, Canada, and the US.
• Walter Hallstein of West At the age of thirty-one, he
Germany. German academic
and diplomat and the European We cannot write about Schuman was named Deputy Secretary
Commission’s first president. without writing about Jean General of the League of
• Sicco Mansholt of the Monnet. It was Monnet who Nations. His personal life
Netherlands. Minister of
Agriculture, Fishing, and Food
had provided the main points can best be described as “it’s
Supply actively involved in the for Schuman’s 1950s speech. In complicated.” He was an
Common Agricultural Policy.
many respects, Monnet was the excellent lobbyist and managed
• Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium. opposite of Schuman. Schuman to convince world leaders
Belgian Prime Minister involved
the Benelux Customs Union, was a solitary figure who spent such as President Franklin D.
the United Nations, NATO, many of his days in his home Roosevelt, President Charles
* For many years the
the Council of Europe and
diocese of Metz has
the European Coal and Steel near Metz. He never married, did de Gaulle and Prime Minister
tried to give Robert Community.
Schuman the title
not have a driver’s license and Winston Churchill of his ideas
“Blessed Robert”, the • Altiero Spinelli of Italy. Author of was very religious.* on a united Europe. He was
first step to sainthood. the programme of the Movimento
Federalista Europeo which
never elected to public office,
Unfortunately the
“Father of Europe” still called for a federation of Europe. Monnet (1888-1979) was a but he was extremely well-
Author of the 1984 Spinelli Plan,
lacks the necessary
beginning a process which would
‘people person’ from a family connected with anyone who
miracles, one for
potential beatification
culminate in the Maastricht of Cognac sellers. He was a was anyone. The famous British
Treaty.
and two for sainthood. well-travelled businessman economist Keynes even claimed
that Monnet’s work behind 121
the scenes during World War
II had shortened the war by a
year. Monnet strongly believed
that “the countries of Europe
are too small to guarantee their
peoples the necessary prosperity
and social development. The
European states must constitute
themselves into a federation.”

The Robert Schuman House

(Scy-Chazelles, France)
Robert Schuman bought the
house in 1926 and, from 1960
onwards, spent his retirement
years there. Nowadays, it hosts
a museum and contains many
objects that belonged to Robert
Schuman and which prove his
attachment to the European
Sculpture by Zurab
ideal. Today, you can visit Tsereteli of Alcide
the historic home of Robert de Gasperi, Robert
Schuman, Jean
Schuman, which was completely Monnet and Konrad
restored in 2004. Adenauer. It was a
gift of the Russian
Federation (Scy-
It is in this house that Schuman Chazelles, France)
drafted the Schuman Declaration
of 9 May 1950, which paved the
way for European integration
and the European Union. After
his death, the site was taken over
by a voluntary organisation to
promote his message of peace
and international cooperation.

The Robert Schuman House

cooperates with the Robert
Schuman Foundation in Paris. Winston Churchill,
Jean Monnet and
The Foundation was founded in Robert Schuman
1991 after the fall of the Berlin
Wall and is a reference research The Jean Monnet he mused about
centre on the European Union House (Yvelines, Europe and its
and its policies. It encourages, France) future. The Jean
contributes to and stimulates Jean Monnet’s house Monnet Foundation
European debate thanks to was home to the world traveller for Europe in Lausanne is
the wealth of its research, Monnet. He bought the farm in inspired by the thinking,
publications and the events Yvelines, about 50 kilometres methods, and actions of Jean
that it organises. The Robert from Paris, in 1945. In this Monnet. The foundation houses
Schuman House has received the home, surrounded by the French the personal archives of Jean
European Heritage Label. countryside and deep forests, Monnet and Robert Schuman.
122

On The Defensive
mılıtary herıtage

How we keep enemies out of our towns and countries

has changed dramatically over the centuries.

Many of our European

monuments and sites are
directly connected to our need
– real or imagined – to defend
ourselves against intruders.
The walled towns, the defensive have shaped our cities and
towers, stone castles, and countryside up to the present
massive fortifications tell a day. The cultural heritage of
European story of conflict and many European regions is a
competition that goes back to reflection of this continuous
the beginning of civilisation. arms race against ever-changing
Scaligero Castle
(13th century) in It shows how the battles aggressors and ever-evolving
Sirmione, Italy between intruder and defender techniques and machinery.
 123

Looking at Europe’s heritage Venetian Castle

(13th century),
from a defensive point of view, Methoni, Greece
we are afforded an insight into
Fortifications
technological and social change (10-14th century)
over the centuries as well as of Soave, Italy

the way in which many of these

developments are part of the
same European story.

At first, defensive strategies eagle’s nests; high-level citadels coming a mile off, struggling to
were based on a relatively simple on a steep hill or a limestone climb up-hill defenselessly, an
concept: a great circular wall or plateau, easy to defend against easy target for arrows and hot
a strong tower, preferably in a first generation battering rams oil showers. As long as you had
high place. Many of the earliest and attackers with spears and stockpiled on food and water, you
examples of fortresses are like bows. You could see them could wait out any siege.

The walls (10-14th

century) of Ávila in
Spain
Medieval defensive
tower in Bergamo,
Italy
124
mılıtary herıtage

Palmanova, Italy,
around 1600
Forticfications of
Palmanova, Italy

After the year 1000, the so- The development of ever more increased and the force of armies
called motte-and-bailey castle powerful artillery over the that were increasingly growing
was the most popular defence centuries made the traditional in size was almost unstoppable.
in western Europe. The motte curtain wall on a hill less and
was an earthen hill, sometimes less desirable. As soon as the The fortresses slowly began to
with a strong structure on top, walls were breached and came sink deeper into the ground.
surrounded by wooden palisades tumbling down, the battle was The Italians had discovered that
and the bailey, a defensive ditch. lost. Initially, thicker walls a sloping hill of earth and sand
Obviously, a fire was a real risk seemed a good idea but by the was a much better defense than
and motivated soldiers with 15th century, cannon-innovation a vulnerable, vertical brick wall.
17th century sharp axes could easily wreak had caught up. Not only were the Creating deep ditches and low
fortifications of havoc. siege weapons getting stronger, gun points – with bastions in
Peronne, France,
upgraded by Vauban the firepower of the cannons sharp, polygonal shapes without
 Central square, Palmanova, Italy.
Part of UNESCO World heritage:
Venetian Works of Defence
between the 16th and 17th centuries, 125
together with Peschiera del Garda
and Bergamo

The fortifications of
Verdun by Vauban

French military engineer

Sébastien Le Prestre de
Vauban (1633-1707)
a blind spot – solved many of
the strategic problems. And In 2013, the Vauban’s
so, the star-shaped defensive Fortifications in Briançon,
France, were placed on the 7
fortresses of what was called Most Endangered list. The site
the trace Italienne type became of Briançon (between France
and Italy) has been a strategic
the leading formula for location since ancient times.
Some of the fortifications
fortifications across Europe. in Verdun are in need of During the 17th century, Vauban
restauration designed elevated fortifications
in this complex mountainous
location. Today, a combination
of natural elements and human
interventions are threatening this
unique site. The nomination for
the 7 Most Endangered was made
by Europa Nostra France and
highlighted the historical, artistic
and cultural importance of the
fortifications of Briançon as well
as its fabulous tourism potential.
New plans are now being
developed with the broad support
of the local communities.
126
mılıtary herıtage

Photo by
Roman Robroek
 127
The first thing that you will notice The site was nominated by Fondo
when walking around the Citadel of Ambiente Italiano (FAI) to be added
Alessandria in the north of Italy is to the 7 Most Endangered list, a
its sheer size. The second thing you joint initiative of Europa Nostra
notice is how many of the buildings and the European Investment Bank
are in a sad and desolate state. Trees Institute. It was included in the list
grow out of the roofs and gutters, walls in 2014 and by June 2015, a technical
have collapsed and the supporting report by the European Investment
beams are rotting away. Weeds are Bank Institute was ready. It clearly
continuously threatening to take over defined recommendations towards its
the ditches and ramparts, especially rehabilitation. In 2016, an investment
the invasive Ailanthus altissima, the of €25 million was announced by
tree of heaven. It wrecks roof tiles, the Italian Ministry of Cultural
cracks masonry and has done more Heritage. The first interventions to
damage than World War II bombers. be implemented by the Italian state
Still, even in its present state, the concentrated on making the Citadel
18th-century military complex has a safe and accessible to the public.
poetic atmosphere. There is beauty in Following an internal reorganisation
the empty, dusty rooms with a single of the Italian Ministry of Cultural
abandoned chair, the long, half oblong Heritage, a local branch of the
galleries where horses once stood, the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle
massive barrack buildings with their Arti e Paesaggio was established
collapsing chimneys. Some areas are for the Piedmontese provinces of
closed off to the public, while others Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo. Their
have recently been restored and are offices are now part of the Citadel and
now open to the public. opened in March 2018. The future
of one of Europe’s largest fortresses
It is precisely its size, as well as looks bright once more.
discussions on ownership and the
expected costs involved which have
halted all sustainable regeneration
plans for one of the most important
hexagonal fortresses in Europe for
years. The prospect of a restoration
was just too daunting a task to even
contemplate without (inter)national
support for a relatively small town
such as Alessandria.
128 The Teaching Manual: The Fortifications of Vauban won a 2012 EU Prize
For Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in the category Education,
mılıtary herıtage

Training, and Awareness-raising.

The manual informs the general public about the official recognition of the
Fortifications of Vauban as part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is a
call towards all European cities with this type of fortifications to create more
awareness about their importance and share the results.

ever thicker walls and deeper

foundations, the cities wanted
to get rid of their own defensive
structures. The fast-growing
towns of the up-coming
industrial age were hindered
by their old walls and city gates
which formed an unwelcome and
restricting girdle around the city
centre. Most – but luckily not
all – cities in Europe tore down
their walls almost overnight,
often to create large circular
public parks.

Not only did he design almost In the 19th century, the defensive
40 virtually impregnable strategy of Europe’s nation-
fortifications, he also improved states was more and more
about 300 existing ones in anchored in a large network of
northwestern Europe; cities interconnected fortifications
from Lille to Luxembourg, from and military installations, like
Verdun to Brest and Strasbourg a string of stony beads dotted
Briançon, France
The French military engineer to Briançon. Twelve of these across the landscape.
Neuf-Brisach was
Vauban’s last design Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban Vauban fortresses are now on the
(1633-1707), usually just known UNESCO World Heritage list. Even the most robust fortresses,
as Vauban, improved the Italian however, could only protect
style and his ideas revolutionised As fortifications across Europe against enemies attacking
Europe’s defences for centuries. started to grow in size with on land or from the sea. Very
 Fortifications 129
of Peschiera
del Garda, Italy

Fortifications
of Peschiera del
Garda, Italy

Fortifications of
Bergamo, Italy
Fortifications of
Luxembourg by
Vauban
Fortifications
of Luxembourg,
renewed by Vauban

few had thought it was a real fortifications more and more defence against an advancing
possibility that the attack vulnerable. The newly conceived army. This became clear in
would come from the air. The tanks were also a direct threat. World War I as some of its
development of military planes Still, the Europe’s fortresses, most important battles were
at the beginning of the 20th numbering in the hundreds, fought in and around enhanced
century made the defensive were an impressive line of Vauban fortifications.
130
mılıtary herıtage

During the European Cultural

Heritage Summit in Berlin last
June, ICOMOS Germany and the
Berlin Wall Foundation organised
a conference with the title:
“Iron Curtain and Green Belt –
Networks and Opportunities for
Cooperation in a European Border
Landscape” which explored the
possibilities of the special corridors
across Europe left by the Iron
Curtain and the Berlin Wall.

Naarden, the They were able to withstand The World War I experience were capable of withstanding
Netherlands
the tremendous pounding of gave rise to yet another almost everything, from aerial
the heaviest German artillery. innovation in military defence bombings to the new generation
Some of these fortresses were so strategies in the 1930s. The of tanks and missiles. The
enormous they were known as new French fortifications of Germans would have had a
‘land battleships.’ the so-called Maginot Line hard time penetrating this

Atlantic Wall (photo Atlantic Wall

by wiki commons) In 2006 research into the Atlantic
Wall won a European Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europea Nostra
Awards. The Atlantic Wall is one of
the last major defense lines of the 20th
century. It was built by the German
occupation forces in the period
1941-1944 along the coast of France,
Channel Islands, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and
Norway. Its greatest value resides in
being the most widespread heritage
of European culture preserving a
collective memory of WWII. The
awarded study was the result of
research carried out in the context
of the Culture 2000 programme.
Partners were the Politecnico di
Milano, the Ecole d’Architecture de
Versailles, and the Raymond Lemaire
Centre for Conservation in Leuven
 The fortifications of 131
The Berlin Wall was a typical Naarden in the Netherlands
example of politically motivated were built by the Spanish
military fortifications and walls, Empire in 1572. The
built to keep people out as much restauration won a Europa
as in. Even today, almost 30 Nostra Award in 1990.
years after the infamous barrier
between East and West-Berlin
came down, the far-reaching
influence of the Wall on the city
of Berlin is still clearly visible in
the structure of the city and its
monuments.

massive row of state-of-the- This time around the idea

art fortifications stretching seemed to be to keep people Europa Nostra Scientific
all the way along the border. in, not out, resulting in more Network
Unfortunately, the attacking human suffering. Since 1989, The Scientific Council of Europa Nostra
Germans forces did not when the Iron Curtain and the has a long history, pre-dating the
organisation itself. It was established
stick to the plan and largely Berlin Wall came down, Europe in 1959 as part of the Internationales
circumvented the Maginot Line, has tried step by step to get rid Burgen-Institut (International Castles
Institute) which was founded in 1949.
with disastrous results. of most of its walls and borders, When Europa Nostra merged with IBI
only to find itself building new in 1991, the Scientific Council had the
specific mission of studying historical
The Germans built a defensive ones. Politicians across the
castles and fortifications, later extended
wall of their own, coastal globe, including in Europe, still to include the study of fortified cities and
associated landscapes, parks, and gardens.
fortifications from the north have not given up on defensive
of Norway all the way to the walls and fortifications to The Council’s experts have had a
profound influence on Europa Nostra,
south of France. The Atlantic keep people out, even though not only in thematic discussions but
Wall – built with forced labour historical evidence clearly goes also as jury members for the EU Prize
for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra
in terrible conditions – ended against it. Awards and as specialists in the 7 Most
up just as unsuccessful as the Endangered programme. The glossary
on fortified heritage and the 67 extensive
Maginot Line and was overrun by The cultural heritage of Europe’s Bulletins, composed of important
Allied Forces (see also the box on fortifications and military scientific articles, are a lasting legacy of
the Council, which over the years has
the Atlantic Wall in this article). monuments and sites can help been generously supported by the A.G.
us understand our troubled past Leventis Foundation from Cyprus.
From 2018 onwards, the experts of the
After World War II a new wall and hopefully show us a path
Scientific Council will contribute to all of
was immediately built, now to a future with fewer walls and Europa Nostra’s activities as a network of
between the East and the West. more wisdom. invaluable scientific advisors.
132
herıtage dreams

Hermann Parzinger’s
inaugural speech as
Executive President
of Europa Nostra in
the Cercle de l’Union
Interalliée in Paris
(May, 2018)

The European Year of

Cultural Heritage and Beyond
Interview with Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra
These days, the diary of Prof. for a respectful, tolerant and culture and cultural heritage 133
Dr.Dr.h.c.mult.Hermann knowledgeable society. At in the EU Institutions. How
Parzinger is even fuller than this moment I am deeply can we bring heritage closer
normal. He is a perfect example concerned about the future of to the people, especially to the
of the adage that if you want Europe, and any real European younger generation? How can
anything done, ask a busy should contribute something we use it to create a European
person to do it. As President to bring Europe forward. As identity? What does our Europe
of the Stiftung Preußischer a heritage professional, I am include? What are our relations
Kulturbesitz - SPK (Prussian convinced that only culture with South Eastern and Eastern
Cultural Heritage Foundation), and heritage has the potential Europe as well as with Russia and
he leads the largest cultural and power to create a strong Turkey? What are the narratives
institution in Germany and one European identity. To answer of European heritage? We indeed
of the largest in the world. He your question in one sentence: need to turn Europa Nostra into a
is responsible for museums, Because I want to do something fully-fledged civic movement for
libraries, archives and research for Europe! the cultural heritage of Europe.
institutes of international
importance. At this moment his
organisation is also reshaping
the historical centre of Berlin
with challenging, sometimes
controversial restoration- and
(re)building projects. Despite
his many obligations, he is
nonetheless ready to accept yet
another task: leading Europa
Nostra as Executive President.
He believes one of the most
important steps Europeans
need to take is to develop a real
European identity and that this
identity can only be built on the
foundation of Europe’s rich and
diverse culture.

What made you decide to

accept the responsibility of the As the new Executive President Germany has been a strong ally Hermann
Parzinger
leadership of Europa Nostra? of Europa Nostra, what do you for the European Year of Cultural with outgoing
think are the biggest challenges Heritage 2018: Which practical Executive
President of
I always was deeply impressed facing the cultural heritage field result would you like to see at the Europa Nostra
by the enormous work and the today and how are we going to end of it? Denis de
many important initiatives tackle them? Kergorlay

Europa Nostra dedicate to the First of all, I would like to

future of cultural heritage in Europa Nostra has already see a growing awareness that
Europe with the help of a very become one of the most cultural heritage reflects the
small but effective team and important promoters of cultural multiplicity and intertwined
with great support from civil heritage at European level, character of European history,
society throughout Europe. but we need to develop and that in spite of our plurality,
This is admirable, and it merits implement a renewed, effective Europe shares many things in our
respect and support. I am well strategy for the coming years. cultural development. If people
aware of the crucial importance We have to advocate for an understand this, they will not
of art, culture and heritage EU strategy and agenda for fall into the trap of populists.
134
herıtage dreams

The high-level policy Therefore, the European Year Federal President of Germany, Europa Nostra believes that
debate during the
European Cultural of Cultural Heritage 2018 Frank-Walter Steinmeier, all heritage has a European
Heritage Summit should not end without a clear European Commissioner Tibor component and that our local and
which took place
EU strategy and agenda for Navracsics, our President national cultures are interlinked
on June 22, 2018 in
Berlin. (left to right) promoting and safeguarding Plácido Domingo and cultural with one another. Maybe it is
Uwe Koch of the culture and heritage. ministers from several European not very obvious at first but as
German Cultural
Heritage Committee countries. Our “Berlin Call to soon as you look into its history
DNK, Hermann The European Cultural Heritage Action. Cultural Heritage for the you will find many European
Parzinger and Luca
Summit from 18-24 June 2018 in Future of Europe,” has in the connections: Can you give us a
Jahier, President
of the European Berlin was organised by Europa meantime been signed by many personal example of a heritage
Economic and Social Nostra together with DNK and people and institutions and was site which embodies that multi-
Committee (EESC)
(photo by Felix SPK, of which you have been one of the great initiatives and layeredness?
Quaedvlieg ) President for 10 years now: successes of the Summit. And
What, in your opinion, were the I was happy that everybody, Our history as well as our
highlights of the Summit and what especially the representatives heritage has always been
do you consider to be the most of the European Commission multi-layered. It is local,
important accomplishments/ and the European Parliament, regional, national and European
developments of the Summit? expressed their strong at the same time, because
commitment for more funding everything is entangled. But
One of the highlights was the and for strengthening the role of this experience you cannot
Heritage Excellence Fair and cultural heritage in Europe. We even restrict to Europe, as
– of course – the high-level are in a good position to achieve there is also a global dimension.
policy debates, which took real sustainability in the EU’s Refugees from Africa and from
place on June 22, together with engagement by using culture and the near and Middle East and
the European Heritage Awards heritage as a means to advance people from other parts of the
Ceremony in the presence of the European integration. world are increasingly coming
to Europe. Culture and heritage 135
has an enormous power in
integrating them. The huge
universal museums in Paris,
London or Berlin offer clear
narratives showing, for example,
that Islamic art and culture is
also part of Europe. And a place
like the future Humboldt Forum,
in the reconstructed Berlin
Palace, will make us understand
the interconnectedness of the
world as a whole.

There have recently been many

discussions about the repatriation
of African art from European
collections, including remarks
German Chancellor
from the French President. Angela Merkel and
You have also weighed in on French President
Emmanuel Macron
the discussion. What is your
with Hermann
viewpoint on this very important Parzinger on the
question? roof of the Humboldt
Forum in Berlin, April
2018
Provenance research is very
important, because it highlights has been taken by force or which about his continuous intent
the many different ways that was stolen has to be returned, to improve life, about the
objects make their way into but collections legally acquired reasons for stratified societies,
museums. Not only the artistic have to be shared with others. In about the power of religious
value or function of an object this context, restitution is one beliefs and so on. Archaeology
is important, but also its option, but cooperation in the offers extremely interesting
biography. Universal museums sense of sharing heritage is much long-term perspectives on
have collections from all over more important. phenomena that we are still
the world, mostly acquired processing. Migration, for
between the 18th and early In closing, you are one of the example, has always strongly
20th century. These universal foremost experts on early influenced Europe’s history,
museums therefore have an European civilisations and you starting already in prehistory
enormous potential to create have done research all over by introducing agriculture
narratives which make us Europe as well as in, for instance, and continuing throughout
understand the world. Doing Turkey, Iran and beyond. Do you all times until today. Again
this it is crucial to overcome think those oldest of civilisations and again, new populations
the European perspective and still have an influence and a became integrated and
to include voices from the relevance to today’s Europe and if contributed enormously to
countries and communities so, what is it? the rich history and cultural
of origin. This is a special heritage of Europe. Exactly
challenge for the ethnographic Dealing with civilisations these long-term perspectives
museums with its collections which emerged and disappeared make people understand that
mostly from the colonial period. millennia ago can tell us a national narratives do not work
We have to fully understand lot about man and human for understanding the past, and
the circumstances, how these society, about man’s relation they do contaminate our present
objects came to Europe. What with nature and environment, and future.
136
The Future Belongs
youth

to the Young
But So Does the Present

Young Professionals
Summit “The Future
Is Heritage”

When you talk to cultural heritage professionals, from civil society

organisations to governmental agencies, they all repeat the same mantra:
the need to involve younger generations in heritage. How does one reach the
Millenials, the Post-Millenials and even the younger members of Generation X?

Young people can be a driving- of cultural heritage? How to have tried new approaches and
force for change in their engage, motivate and inspire moved in new directions. Many
communities. How to channel young people who have a million have failed and have ended their
young people’s skills, energy other things to do and are efforts as a forgotten website,
and enthusiasm for the benefit courted by every good cause, a friendless social medium or
every marketing company, and a dusty brochure. There are
every political party? It is like however, a series of successful
the search for the Holy Grail; projects in Europe which have
If you are aged between 18 and 30
there is a big chance you will played against the odds and won.
years old, you can apply for free
membership. lose your way, lose your faith Maybe, just maybe, the answer
and lose your money. Maybe it has been found already. Maybe
Go to www.europanostra.org/join
is not about the destination but we are not chasing an illusion,
for more details.
about the journey itself. Many maybe some dreams do come
organisations over the years true.
Culture Ants – Cultural 137
Awareness Foundation,
Istanbul, Turkey
They won the EU Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards in 2009

This heritage education

programme was created
in collaboration with
psychologists, art historians,
and educators. Specially trained
university student volunteers
present Istanbul’s historical sites
to schoolchildren and provide
information about the city’s
historical heritage in an active
and entertaining fashion. Often
coming from the most socio- Participants of the
economically disadvantaged and expertise in the métier As part of the European Cultural project “Culture
Heritage Year 2018, the sites of Ants”
families, these children may of historic conservation, the
the Peace of Westphalia, the
perceive the educated youth students immediately see cities Osnabrück and Münster in
as role models. Through this the impact of their work. The Germany, invited young people
to take part in the meeting
model, the project is also able to experience of working as part and participation project “Lab
reach families who are in most of a group fosters a sense of Europe” last August. The joint
work took place in five so-called
need of stronger integration into community. The model can laboratories concentrating
urban life. The model can be easily be adapted for other on visual arts, history,
utilised in multi-ethnic societies European countries. performance, music, and media.
The participants dealt with the
throughout Europe. history of Europe and discuss the
Young Archaeologists’ Club, UK continent’s future.
The Jugendbauhütten of They won the EU Prize for Geyern Backery
project in Regensburg
the Deutsche Stiftung
Denkmalschutz e.V., Germany
They won the EU Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards in 2008

The basic idea of this project

is to introduce young people
to Europe’s cultural heritage
through practical conservation
work, thus making them aware
of the importance of preserving
this inheritance. The volunteers
work on actual restoration
sites, where they undergo a
year of practical and theoretical
training, encompassing all
disciplines related to monument
conservation. In addition to
acquiring the requisite skills
138 in the sector. The Young
youth

Archaeologists’ Club is an
outstanding achievement in
education, which is particularly
important as this subject is
often not covered in the school
curriculum.

Culture Leap: Educational

Programme, Finland
They won the EU Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards in 2018

The project increases the

amount of Cultural Education
Young Plans in Finland, a public
archaeologist’s Cultural Heritage / Europa 1972 and its programme is now programme for schools which
club Brecon
Nostra Awards in 2015 delivered by 600 volunteers ensures that all children and
Beacons
at 70 Branches throughout the young people get the chance
This community-led UK. Over the years the Club to experience their cultural
programme engages children provided opportunities for heritage. The elaborate project
(age 8 -16 years) in archaeology. thousands of children to get produced an online tool that
The Club began at the involved in archaeology. enables municipalities to
University of Cambridge in The young archaeologists independently prepare a
learn together and develop Cultural Education Plan based
a strong identification with on their local and regional
their communities and an heritage. The tool is freely
The youthHansa understanding of their place available to all, and it exists
Every year Hanseatic cities send in the world. They develop in three languages (Finnish,
young delegates ranging from 16 team-work and communication Swedish, and English). This
and 25 years of age to take part
in the delegation meetings of the skills in real-world situations. project offers a relatively low-
youthHansa and the Hanseatic Young Archaeologists’ Club cost but high impact framework
Days.
alumni have gone on to study that is applicable across Europe.
The concept of the youthHansa
archaeology and one-third of
was introduced for the first time
in 1998 when the Hanseatic city the participants now work GeoCraftNL: Minecraft Heritage
of Visby, Sweden invited young
delegates to a youth forum.
On account of the positive
resonance, the Hanse decided to
invite the young delegates on a
regular basis and this resulted in
the founding of the youthHansa.
They developed their own
statute, which was incorporated
into the statute of the Hanse
only two years later. Since then,
a network of young people has
been developed that makes an
essential contribution to the
sense of a European identity and
a shared history and heritage
Project by GeoFort, 139
the Netherlands
They won the EU Prize for
Cultural Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards in 2018

The project allows children

to build and recreate castles,
windmills, churches and their
own houses in a virtual 3D
world. Minecraft is an online
modelling platform, much
like a digital LEGO, which is
extremely popular with children
and adolescents around the
world. 30,000 children now
play a part in the GeoCraftNL
community. The skills acquired Apprendisti Ciceroni in Milan, people an awareness of the
can be transferable to any region Italy value of the artistic, cultural
or city and the project illustrates They won the EU Prize for and natural heritage in Italy.
the successful combination of Cultural Heritage / Europa Students aged 14-19 years old
both traditional and innovative Nostra Awards in 2016 are given the opportunity to
teaching methods. It also study one or more important
encouraged children building the The Cultural Heritage Education heritage sites in their region and
virtual monument to visit the Programme “Apprendisti to present them as tour guides
monuments in real life. Ciceroni” instills in young to the public during special
events organised by the non-
profit organisation FAI – Fondo
Ambiente Italiano. The project
is the embodiment of FAI’s
primary goal: “the promotion,
education, love and enjoyment
of Italy’s artistic and natural
heritage”.
140
youth

The EEA and

Norway Grants
Norway is not a member of the European Union.
This, however, does not mean that there is no
close cooperation. The European Economic Area
(EEA) Agreement between the European Union
and Norway - as well as Iceland and Liechtenstein
- provides access to the internal market of the EU.
One of the practical results of the agreement is
the EEA and Norway Grants. In total, the three
donor countries have provided €3.3 billion through
consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014.
Culture and cultural heritage have been and still are
important aspects of the Grants, especially when
the activities are geared towards the youth.
The 2009-2014 funding mechanism supported
cultural programmes in 14 beneficiary countries,
with a total of around €200 million. Some of the
key achievements in this funding period were as
follow:
Heritage Schools in Bristol, Improve a Heritage Site
• 59 buildings of cultural heritage value have
been restored or rehabilitated across the UK – Norwegian Heritage
beneficiary states; They won the EU Prize for Foundation, Norway
• 12 projects have received the prestigious EU Cultural Heritage / Europa They won the EU Prize for
Award for Cultural Heritage, the Europa
Nostra Awards in 2016 Cultural Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards;
Nostra Awards in 2012
• 6 000 jobs have been created, and according
to the Council of Europe, one new position This educational initiative
indirectly creates 29 other jobs in the local brings heritage into the With this initiative, children
economy;
classroom, reaching 120,000 and young people up to 18 years
• 14 new museums and cultural facilities have
been created, financed, or developed; students in 250 schools across old learn about cultural heritage
England. The vast majority in the vicinity of their home
• Nearly 2 million people have attended cultural
performances in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and of the teachers involved with and take part in practical work,
Portugal. In Poland alone, 2 856 cultural events the project reported that their such as mending the heritage
employed over 6 000 performers and artists, and
received more than 1.6 million visitors; knowledge of the surrounding site, monument or cultural
• 139 cultural diversity projects have been local history had increased, landscape. Many of the locations
organised, 62 of which were intercultural that they are now aware of would otherwise have been left
projects;
how local history can be used to degradation and neglect.
• More than 440 000 school children have taken
part in educational activities organised by
to illustrate the wider history Since the implementation of the
POLIN, the Museum of the History of Polish of England and that they project, 1128 heritage sites have
Jews, in Warsaw.
now know how to use local been rehabilitated. More than
For the current funding period, 2014-2021, cultural history successfully to deliver 22,500 children and young people
programmes are organised in one programme area,
Cultural Entrepreneurship, Cultural Heritage the school’s curriculum. have been involved and about
and Cultural Cooperation. As of April 2018, the Heritage Schools unlocked 160,000 hours have been spent
development of cultural programmes has started in
eight beneficiary states (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, local heritage for young people in actual work at the heritage
Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, by creating links with local sites. The project is an example
and Slovakia), with a combined funding of more
than €171 million. heritage sites. The project of best practice at low cost that
https://eeagrants.org/
is applicable to any other can be recommended to teaching
country. institutions all over Europe.
The contributions of young Europeans 141
to the European Cultural Heritage
Summit in Berlin in June 2018
The younger generations of heritage students and young
professionals organised interactive meetings and more than 250
young participants attended the Summit. The three co-hosting
organisations, namely Europa Nostra, the German Cultural
Heritage Committee (DNK) and the Prussian Cultural Heritage
Foundation (SPK), were delighted to welcome such a large and
inspiring youth delegation, which highly contributed to the
strengthening of youth involvement in the heritage field.
The programme of the European Policy Debate on 22 June
included messages from the young generation during which
each youth initiative had the opportunity to make a special
intervention in front of an audience of some 400 heritage
professionals and decision-makers.
After a special seminar in Weimar (Germany) about The volunteers
Young Professionals Summit “The Future Is Heritage” volunteering projects for heritage, the young volunteers of the Heritage
attended the Summit. As part of the Heritage Times Times in Berlin
(Organised by the Provinces of Noord–Brabant,
project, the volunteers covered several events on
Gelderland, Overijssel, Erfgoed Brabant, Erfgoed social media and presented the printed Heritage Times
Gelderland and the Dutch Knowledge Institute of newspaper to the Summit participants.
Immaterial Heritage – KIEN)
eTwinning
Close to 50 heritage students and young professionals from
16 countries discovered more about each other’s history by The Eurobarometer states that “nine out of ten
approaching heritage from a European perspective. The highly Europeans think that cultural heritage should be taught
interactive programme included discussions and workshops in schools”.
on, among others, youth involvement, craftsmanship, re-
eTwinning, the Community for Schools in Europe,
enactment, contested heritage, religious heritage, museums, as
has a strong role to play in supporting this discovery.
well as visits to inspirational heritage places.
As a cornerstone for collaborative projects between
Student Summit “Culture Up Your Future – Living Our classrooms across Europe, eTwinning has enabled, in
European Heritage In The Digital Age” its 13 years of existence, more than two million pupils
to work together, harness their cultural differences and
(Organised by the European Students’ Association for
develop their European citizenship.
Cultural Heritage (ESACH), the European Students’
Forum (AEGEE) and the European Citizenship Working During the annual eTwinning Conference, which took
Group) place in Warsaw, Poland from 25th to 27th October 2018,
more than 700 teachers from across Europe explored
University students from across Europe participated in this Cultural Heritage, and the intrinsic role it can play
programme, which included a panel discussion on cultural in both teaching and learning. Sneška Quaedvlieg-
heritage in the digital age, workshops (e.g. on the legacy of the Mihailović, Secretary-General of Europa Nostra
Iron Curtain and heritage interpretation), as well as many more held a passionate keynote address. Over 40 different
activities to foster the engagement of the younger generation workshops led by experts in the field, participants
with European cultural heritage. shared new and effective educational approaches,
methods and materials to introduce and reinforce
During the European Policy Debate, three representatives
Cultural Heritage education in schools.
from ESACH informed the audience about the work and
impact of this students’ association, which has become the first In particular, the eTwinning Annual Conference 2018
interdisciplinary and cross-generational network in the field. supported schools to raise their capabilities to:
Youth Conference “Culture and Heritage in a Digital • raise awareness of the common history and values;
World”
• reinforce a sense of belonging to Europe;
(Organised by the British Council Germany & UK–
German Connection) • demonstrate ways of better safeguarding, enhancing,
but also reusing and promoting Europe’s cultural
German and British students explored how digitisation shapes heritage as a shared resource.
our understanding of heritage. In small groups, they discussed
the topics of local and European identity, remembrance, Sneška
controversial and industrial heritage with experts. They also Quaedvlieg-
had the opportunity to discover significant cultural heritage Mihailović,
sites in Berlin through art, history, and technology (e.g. a Secretary-
virtual reality experience of the Berlin Wall, a tour about Jewish General of
history in the Bavarian quarter with explanations on the street Europa Nostra
signs and stumbling stones). was a keynote
Heritage Times & European Heritage Volunteers speaker at the
European Heritage Volunteers organised a Heritage eTwinning
Volunteering Project alongside the European Cultural Heritage Conference in
Summit which enabled 12 young volunteers from 12 different Warsaw
European countries to get a close and detailed inside view into
the network of organisations, institutions and stakeholders that
are active all over Europe in the field of cultural heritage, and to
support the organisation of the Summit in various ways.
142
treasure

Hidden Connections
Europe’s cultural heritage is complex and multi-layered.
It does not belong to one cultural group or nation state.
It belongs to all Europeans - present and past - and is our
collective achievement.

Jorge Chaminé If we look at our heritage from personal stories are linked to In this article we will look at
in the house of
Georges Bizet in
this wider perspective, with a the stories of other Europeans some of the countless examples
Bougival birds-eye view, we realize how and how much of our heritage of the interconnectedness of
much we are all connected to one is shared heritage. Cultural our heritage. These stories
another. If we look closer, we heritage helps us to understand show how much local heritage
can discover European stories in ourselves in relation to others. is connected to European
almost every local heritage site. It is about finding our own heritage and how our collective
Unfortunately, we often tend personal connection to a much past often moves in mysterious
to forget how strongly our own larger story, a European story. and unexpected ways. From
 Meeting at 143
Bougival with
(left to right)
Jorge Chaminé,
Brigitte Macron,
Sneška Quaedvlieg-
Mihailović, Secretary-
General of Europa
Nostra, President
Emmanuel Macron,
Françoise Nyssen,
Minister of Culture,
and Stéphane Bern.
Bern was appointed
by the President
to select the most
endangered sites in
France and won a
European Heritage
Award 2018 in the
category Dedicated
Service

Meeting in Paris
BOUGIVAL with (left to right)
It is a very special room, small Sneška Quaedvlieg-
and intimate. Its large windows Mihailović, Secretary-
General of Europa
overlook the Seine river. With Nostra, Jorge
his booming voice, opera star Chaminé, Maestro
Plácido Domingo and
Jorge Chaminé explains how Luc Wattelle
a small town in France to the George Bizet (1838-1875)
origin of a popular cake, from sat here behind his narrow
garden gnomes to carnival desk and composed his most
celebrations: as soon as we famous and beloved opera,
scratch the surface of a heritage Carmen. The modest house in
story, we can discover many Bougival, not far from Paris,
hidden connections to the rest of is still in a state of transition.
Europe. The former inhabitants have
left the premises but many of Georges Bizet
144 who were all true fans of Bizet.
treasure

The families kept the legacy

of the composer alive. They
would even commemorate the
exact moment of the composer’s
death, at the age of 36, in the
early morning of 3 June at
2.30am. Chaminé now wants
the house to become one of
the centre pieces of a cultural
renaissance in the city. The
company Dartagnans organised
– with the patronage of Europa
Nostra, its President Plácido
Domingo and many others
– a successful crowdfunding
campaign which led to the
purchase of the house of Bizet by
the ‘Departement’ of Yvelines.

The view on the Seine

from Georges Bizet’s The story of Bizet and Carmen
room is not Bougival’s only claim to
Camille Pissarro: The fame. Jorge Chaminé wants to
Seine at Bougival
show how truly European this
town is, with its hundreds of
links to the rest of the continent.
Together with Mayor Luc
Wattelle, he has a dream, a
magnificent and large dream,
to once again make Bougival
a European centre of art and
culture. Chaminé, who studied
at the UNESCO World Heritage
listed Coimbra University in his
home country of Portugal, is not
only a famous opera singer, he
is also a teacher, artistic director
and a passionate cultural
activist. He performs the
classical repertoire, of course,
but he also sings tango, Romani
and fado music. He is a European
and world citizen who feels just
Claude Monet as at home in Madrid and Paris
as in Munich or New York. He
their belongings are still here, – 3 March 1875 at the Opéra- has performed around the globe,
side by side with the furniture, Comique in Paris – adorn the including with Maestro Plácido
including the bed and piano, walls. The unique objects and Domingo, President of Europa
which once belonged to Bizet. the summerhouse itself survived Nostra. It is, however, the spirit
Etchings of the original decor of up to the present day thanks to of the small town of Bougival
the first Carmen performance the passion of its former owners which has stolen his heart.
 145

Villa of Pauline
the Georges Bizet Association and Viardot
as Artistic Director of the Festival
Interior Villa Viardot
de Bougival, sees great potential
for the future of Bougival which
will no doubt benefit the local
community. The derelict villa
Mayor Wattelle explains that of the famous opera singer and
the reason Bougival has become composer of Spanish descent
such a cultural treasure may be Pauline Viardot (1821-1910) still
quite mundane. The city had stands tall. She was the sister of
some fame due to the impressive the even more famous 19th-century
machinery which powered the opera legend Maria Malibran.
water fountains of the nearby The beautifully adorned ground
Versailles gardens but it was the floor room once was a famous
short distance to Paris which ‘salon’, an international gathering
made the city an international place for musicians, artists and
attraction. Its charming writers from across Europe.
location between rolling hills, Chaminé organises annual
forests and the Seine river concerts here but the state of
Ivan Turgenev
made it an attractive and easy the building severely limits the
trip, especially by train. The possibilities. It is clear the villa
Parisian and international art Aside from George Bizet, two needs a lot of love as well as
community found its way to other artists are also forever urgent repairs. The house was a
Bougival to write, paint and connected to Bougival. Their gift from the Russian author Ivan
Célestine Galli-Marié
compose. William Turner, villas are at the centre of Turgenev (1818–1883) whose own who was the first
Victor Hugo, Jean-Baptiste- the plans which Chaminé charming wooden ‘datcha’ stands singer to play Carmen
(photo by P.Nadar)
Camille Corot, Pierre-Auguste and Mayor Wattelle have for a little higher on the hill. That
Renoir, Gustave Flaubert, the town: Pauline Viardot building now houses the Ivan
Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Ivan Turgenev. Their Turgenev European Museum.
Alexandre Dumas, Guy de former residences are next This year they celebrate the
Maupassant, George Sand, to one another on a green hill 200th anniversary of his birth.
Alfred Sisley, Henry James, surrounded by lush gardens, at The personal relations between
Édouard Manet and Berthe walking distance from the centre the married musician and the
Morisot (who was married to of town. Chaminé, in his role as celebrated writer were, as we
Manet’s brother Eugène) are just President of the European Music would say today, ‘complicated’.
a few of those artists who spent Centre (Centre Européen de From his balcony, Turgenev would
time in Bougival. Musique), as Vice-President of wave at Viardot each morning.
146 Viardot and Turgenev connect be revived and made widely
treasure

Bougival to Spain and Russia but known in France and in the

they are but one example of the whole of Europe. He wrote:
many links Bougival has with “That day, I was unable to
the rest of Europe. Chaminé conceal my emotions and my
and Mayor Wattelle are working tears: both while thinking of
European Craftsmanship on a masterplan to connect the Pauline Viardot and Georges
Craftsmanship is probably one of
the most multi-layered aspects villa of Bizet on the river bank Bizet, those musical geniuses who
of Europe’s history. The skills to the villas of Viardot and meant so much to me in my life
and expert knowledge that was
shared over the centuries across Turgenev on the nearby hill. as a singer and musician and
Europe created a generation The idea is to develop the 8,000 also while witnessing the state
of present-day artisans who
still make exceptional objects m2 space between them and of disrepair of those important
of the highest quality. These reuse the buildings that are still sites of memory that I had just
artists are the heart of a billion
dollar industry in high-quality
standing on the extensive plot. discovered. Sites with a distinctly
products which are exported Chaminé hopes they can realise European legacy, as the “Europe
across the globe.
an international music academy of arts and culture” was born
From 14 to 30 September 2018, and an historic archive. He is there, in Bougival”,
the Michelangelo Foundation
– a Europa Nostra member - especially interested to look
presented an inspiring showcase into the connection between President Emmanuel Macron
called Homo Faber in the
Fondazione Giorgio Cini on music and neuroscience and also promised to give his full
San Giorgio Maggiore Island the physiotherapy of music. He support to the “CEM* project”
in Venice, Italy. The exhibition
– which offered visitors an also hopes that the masterplan during a symbolic high profile
unprecedented opportunity will create exchanges between event in the autumn of 2018
to meet artisans and watch
them work - highlighted the younger and older artists. as part of the European Year of
finest European craftsmanship, Some of the structures could Cultural Heritage. Key players
“showcasing what human beings
can do better than machines.”
be redeveloped into artist’s in the cultural heritage sector
residences. The ambition in France accompanied the
The building’s galleries,
library, cloisters, and even its requires a lot of investment. President, including Françoise
1960s-designed swimming The successful crowdfunding Nyssen, Minister of Culture,
pool hosted masterpieces,
exhibitions, installations and campaign was just the and Stéphane Bern, who was
workshops presenting the work beginning. Luckily, they have appointed by the President to
of European artisans at the top
of their game. Together, the found Europe-wide support for select the 18 most endangered
exhibits showcase a vast array their plans. sites in France. The Villa
of materials and expertise, from
rare traditional skills on the Viardot has been identified as
brink of being lost to the most Europa Nostra’s President one of these most endangered
cutting-edge contemporary
techniques.
Plácido Domingo visited the heritage sites. As such, its
site in 2016 and expressed a restoration will benefit from
keen wish that these sites will the funds raised by the very
first Heritage Lottery in France.

The multi-layered history of

Bougival will no longer be
forgotten. Thanks to the efforts
of Jorge Chaminé, Luc Wattelle
and many others, the European
story of this small town near
Paris can once again be shared
with the world.

*CEM - Centre Européen de Musique,

European Music Center project created by
Jorge Chaminé and developed since 2000.
 147

THE MADELEINE CAKE memories can be triggered by a Château Stanislaus in

Commercy
One of the most smell or a taste. But what was
intriguing this “madeleine” precisely and Interior of La Cloche
Lorraine
moments in who had created it? If we trace
literature the history of this humble cake
revolves from the Lorraine region in
around France, we quickly discover a
the “squat, multi-layered heritage treasure
plump that takes us from Spain to
little cakes Poland and from the 19th-century
called petites railroads to the French royal
madeleines, court. And, as is appropriate
which look as though they had for these kinds of heritage hazardous trip. The scallop
been moulded in the fluted valve stories, there are more versions shape of the “madeleines”
of a scallop shell.” Marcel Proust of the truth than the cake has may indicate they were sold to
(1871-1922) dips one of these ingredients. pilgrims as they travelled south
moist cakes in his tea, eats it through the Lorraine or maybe
and “a shudder ran through The oldest versions of the origin they were created by a former
my whole body, and I stopped, of the “madeleine” cake, link pilgrim called “madeleine”?
intent upon the extraordinary it to Santiago de Compostela
changes that were taking place.” in Spain. The famous symbol Another story links the creation
The “madeleine” triggered of the European pilgrimage to of the cake to Jean Avice, a
a cascade of deep and lost the grave of St. James is the famous 19th-century pastry chef
memories and is a key passage scallop. The saltwater clam is who was patissier to the rich and
in his À La Recherche du Temps common in the waters around famous. The most convincing
Perdu (In Search of Lost Time). Santiago and maybe they were story, however, links the little
Interestingly, the “madeleine” used as proof that the pilgrims cake to the Château Stanislaus,
cake only showed up as the main had indeed reached their goal. a castle in the French town of
vehicle of his trip down memory Maybe the recognisable lines on Commercy.
lane in the third draft of the the shell reflected the different
novel. routes the pilgrims could take
to reach Santiago or maybe it
Proust’s “madeleine” became was just a handy spoon or cup to
a cultural symbol for how carry around on a long and often
148
treasure

Selling madeleine
cakes at the railway who worked in the palace Lorraine is one of the famous
station kitchens to step up and make stores in the city. There is
The railway station of dessert for the Duke with a even a real Brotherhood of the
Commercy today
sweet tooth. She made the only Madeleine, created in 1963 to
recipe she knew, little buttery make “the madeleine famous and
cakes, and Stanislaus and his popular all around the world but
wife loved them so much they also protecting and preserving
named them in her honour and the high quality of this local
introduced them to the Royal specialty.”
Court of Versailles and their
friends in Paris. The story of the Château
Stanislaus also has a happy
In any case, the “madeleine” ending. The former palace in
really started to catch on Commercy now houses the city’s
after the railroads reached town hall and library. The once
Commercy in the 19th century. derelict building was carefully
The local bakeries quickly restored and brought back to its
The palace is named after discovered that the cakes were former glory.
Stanislaus I Leszczyński perfect travel food and in 1874,
(1677-1766), King of Poland, the “madeleine” was officially
who became Duke of Lorraine allowed to be sold at the railway
after an international political platforms. From morning to late
tug-of-war. The royal had twice evening young ladies offered
lost his title to the Polish throne wooden boxes of the fresh cakes
but as he was well-connected, to the commuters from Paris
well-respected and due to his and Nancy. The “madeleines” of
daughter being married to Louis Commercy started to conquer
XV of France, he was allowed to the world.
keep his titles and became Duke
of Lorraine. According to legend, Today, the “madeleines” are
The famous wooden the Duke had an argument with still produced in Commercy,
houses of the old his pastry chef, who walked out. often based on traditional
market town of
Troyes, France This forced a local girl Madeleine recipes. The À La Cloche
 Old traditional market 149
hall in Piney in the
north of France

MEDIEVAL FAIRS to acquire Flemish wool, exotic EU Prize for Cultural Heritage /
After the Pax Romana ended silks, furs from the north and Europa Nostra Awards
in the 2nd century AD, Europe’s spices from the east, gold- and Almost all award winners over the years were examples of
a multi-layered history. Here are three recent examples in
long distance trade was very silverwork, rare trinkets and which cultural complexity was the subject of the research or
difficult for a long time. By 1200, gifts. The great market cities the restoration.

however, changes in agriculture were not only commercial The Carnival King of Europe, Italy
and international trade began to centres but also cultural and The Carnival King of Europe research project from San
fundamentally change Europe social melting pots, laying the Michele all’Adige in Italy won an EU Prize for Cultural
Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in 2017. The project shed
and the growing cities became foundation of a European-wide new light on the similarities that are found in the winter
centres of commerce and trade. civilisation. carnival masquerades which occur across Europe. Through
extensive ethnographic fieldwork, cinematic documentation
Often the new routes followed and travelling exhibitions, the Carnival King of Europe
the old Roman roads. The fairs The Champagne region was project – a partnership of 9 European ethnographic
museums – unearthed the common roots of these festivities
along the ancient Agrippa Way, especially successful and famous and established evidence of their striking parallels.
from Milan to Boulogne, began to for its large scale markets and
Armenian Church and Monastery in Nicosia,
gain international fame. Traders fairs and the cork-shaped city of Cyprus
travelled from one city to the next Troyes attracted more merchants This multi-layered site won the EU Prize for Cultural
for the spring, summer and winter and merchandise than any other. Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in 2015. The church and
monastery are located in the Arab Ahmet neighborhood of
markets to sell their products. The city even had its own mint northern Nicosia, one of the most historic and culturally
Buyers from across Europe came and the Troy ounce became a diverse areas within the walled city. The project was
begun in 2007 as part of a larger peace-building effort in
Cyprus. It was designed both to restore one of the most
noteworthy parts of the island’s cultural heritage and to
provide Armenian, Greek and Turkish Cypriots with the
opportunity to work together with international experts to
preserve their common heritage and to restore and develop
the social cohesion of their communities through the city’s
multi layered stories.

The Royal Spanish College in Bologna, Italy

The Royal Spanish College in Bologna, Italy won the award
in 2012. There could hardly be a finer example of our shared
European heritage: a medieval college for Spanish students
in an Italian university – the oldest university in the World
– using the Italian motif of a loggia around a courtyard,
reminiscent of the collegiate architecture of England or
France. The College was founded in 1364 and is the only
The market of university college in continental Europe to have remained
active from the Middle Ages until today. The restoration
Padua, Italy
took 32 years.
150 Leipziger
Messe in 1844 AIZONAI mysterious engraved drawings
treasure

The ancient city of Aizanoi in the can be seen, which resemble

centre of Turkey is an excellent prehistoric rock inscriptions.
example of how literally multi- They were, however, made in the
layered the history of Europe is. 13th century by the Tartar troops
Step by step you travel further who were stationed here. The
back in time. We start with the ancient city of Aizanoi and its
19th-century Ottoman farms authentic Ottoman environment
dotted along the Kocaçay river. A are on the tentative World
solitary donkey grazes the grass Heritage List of UNESCO.
widely used unit of measure. The between a row of 2,000-year-
great fire of May 1524 destroyed a old Phrygian tombs while a THE GARDEN GNOME
large part of the city and many of modern day tractor drives over Country roads meander
its medieval buildings no longer the Roman bridge which is still pleasantly through the
exist today. Troyes has, however, in use. Between the farms, we beautiful landscape of
maintained much of its traders’ discover the ruins of a Roman the Marmara Sea and the
roots and the town harbours some bath house with a beautifully Dardanelles in Turkey. The
of the best preserved 16th century preserved mosaic floor. The sleepy coastal town of Karabiga
wooden buildings in Europe. Marcellum, a circular building was once known as Priapos.
whose foundations can still be It was the birthplace of one
Leipziger Messe or the Leipzig seen, was once a lively market. of the most interesting gods
Trade Fair can trace its roots The adjacent colonnade was of antiquity. Priapus was a
back to medieval times and once the entrance to a shopping rather unsightly god with an
was instrumental in making centre. The Roman theatre exceptionally active sex drive.
Leipzig a city of merchants and annex amphitheater of Aizanoi His effigies and amulets can
traders. The Trade Fair was lies forgotten in an open field. be found everywhere in the
given imperial privileges in In the distance you can see the ancient world. The fertility
the 15th century and has, over sanctuary of Zeus, the reason god was also the protector of
the centuries, maintained its why pilgrims have been traveling seamen which may explain how
important status. After the here for thousands of years. the popular god’s image spread
reunification of Germany, the Ancient temples changed into so easily around Europe. Little
Leipziger Messe was refounded in churches and then, in Turkey, statues of him were often put
1996 and is still one of the largest were often reused as mosques. in the house or in the garden
trade fair locations in Europe and The Zeus temple is built on an and according to some, this is
the world. even older sanctuary dedicated how he became the inspiration
to the mother goddess Cybele for our garden gnome with his
Leipziger Messe is a corporate which dates back to prehistoric beard, mops nose and Phrygian
Aizonai friend of Europa Nostra. times. On the walls of the temple, red hat.
 151

NIBELUNGENLIED Schloss Drachenburg

The Dragon’s Rock Seven Hills Nature
(Drachenfels) in the Seven Hills Park (Naturpark
Siebengebirge)
(Siebengebirge) is a romantic
and lush green landscape
along the river Rhine, south of
Cologne, Germany. Many myths
and legends are set in these
attractive volcanic mountains.
The Seven Hills Nature Park
(Naturpark Siebengebirge)
is among the oldest tourist
destinations of Germany and
was the first to be officially
protected, in 1922, effectively
starting the German civil
society movement for the this is the home of Fafnir, European origin has many
protection of nature and the man turned dragon from links to Nordic myths and pre-
heritage in Germany. the Nibelungensaga, who Christian Europe. It includes
was famously killed by the oral history and maybe has its
One of the most culturally Burgundian hero Siegfried. base in real events of the 5th or
influential myths is that The legendary story of complex 6th century. One of the many
152 The Ring des
Nibelungen museum
treasure

19th-century funicular – which

was constructed to deal with
the tourists who flocked to the
area at the time – is still in use
today. Schloss Drachenburg
(Dragon Castle) is a magnificent
and beautifully restored fantasy
castle, built on the hills of
the Dragon’s Rock in 1882 by
stock market baron Stephan
von Sarter. Its survival was
uncertain for years – the castle
was used as the Adolf-Hitler
The dragon Fafnir School during the war and
in the garden of the
museum became derelict in the 60s – but
now the impressively strange
versions of the story is told in The myth of the Dragon’s castle is a gem of heritage
the epic poem “Nibelungenlied,” Rock not only gave the area restoration by the North-Rhine
written in Middle High its name, it also deeply Westphalia (NRW) foundation.
German. Three of the original influenced its cultural Medieval sculptures and
manuscripts are on the heritage. The combination of gargoyles can be seen along the
UNESCO Memory of the World legend and beauty made the roofs and a dragon welcomes
Register. The story of tragic area an irresistible spot for visitors above the main door. A
hero Siegfried, the beautiful European artists such as Lord little down the mountain slopes,
Brünnhild and the monstrous Byron, whose Childe Harold’s we find a remarkable museum,
Fafnir have become part of Pilgrimage made the mountains dedicated to Wagner’s Ring
Europe’s collective memory world famous. The 12th century with a cave tunnel and a stone
through poems, films, plays, Dragonfels ruins, high on the dragon. The building dates back
books: most famously retold by hill, have not been in use for to 1913 – built to celebrate the
Richard Wagner (1813-83) in his centuries but are a romantic centenary of Wagner’s birth -
musical tour-de-force Der Ring reference point and viewpoint. and is a wonderful combination
des Nibelungen. In the past, the tourist could of architecture, fan-art and real
take donkeys to the top. The snakes and crocodiles.
On the European level, many different initiatives and projects also relate to the 153
complex and multi-layered story of Europe’s history and heritage.
Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 is a European Union framework programme
funding research, technological development, and
innovation. For many years, the programme has also funded
research related to cultural heritage projects. Most projects
combine fundamental research with research into the multi-
layeredness of Europe’s heritage.
A newly funded project under the Horizon 2020 framework
is ILUCIDARE, coordinated by the Catholic University
of Leuven. Europa Nostra is an important partner in the
project.
The three-year project (2019-21) promotes and leverages
cultural heritage-led innovation and diplomacy through
the creation and activation of an international community
of cultural heritage practitioners in Europe and beyond.
It contributes to the EU strategy for international
cultural relations (JOIN/2016/029) and EU international
cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497).
ILUCIDARE opts to tie its activities to established networks
rather than creating a new isolated project with little or
no impact. The project will enable the exchanges of best
practices, knowledge transfer, skills development and
cross-fertilisation within its global network through an
extensive use of digital engagement strategies and tools as
well as participatory activities including 2 focus groups and
2 co-creation ateliers, 3 high-level international conferences,
5 international competitions, online training by means
of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), 2 academic
training courses, onsite capacity building in 11 locations in 8
countries in South-East Europe, South America, the Middle
East and Africa.

European Initiatives of the European Year

The European Year of Cultural Heritage is more than just FOOD IS CULTURE
a series of exciting events taking place across Europe.
The European Union as a whole wants to create a lasting Europa Nostra participates in the Food is Culture project
cross-sectoral and holistic approach to cultural heritage – a multimedia artwork sharing the stories and traditions
and to develop joint action at European level. They behind European food heritage – which was officially
therefore created 10 European Initiatives based on the launched on 23 September in Turin, Italy. The project
4 key principles for the European Year: Engagement, is coordinated by Slow Food – in collaboration with the
Sustainability, Protection, and Innovation. These initiatives Kinookus association (Croatia), Nova Iskra Creative Hub
are the core of the future European Action Plan for Cultural (Serbia), and Transpond AB (Sweden). The intangible
Heritage. cultural heritage of food in Europe is an enormous yet
underestimated resource. Gastronomy treasures the entire
The 10 European Initiatives of the European Year are: history of a territory and embodies how different cultures
1. Shared heritage have merged over the centuries. It is largely used to promote
2. Heritage at school tourism but hardly ever treated as a resource that can
3. Youth for heritage reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space
4. Heritage in transition and social integration. Awareness of traditional food origins
5. Tourism and Heritage and history, traditional processing and farming techniques,
6. Cherishing heritage of religious rites and festivals, is the key to narrating the
7. Heritage at risk story of our common European roots.
8. Heritage-related skills
9. All for heritage
10. Science for heritage
Creative Europe is the European Commission’s framework
programme for support to the culture and audio-visual
sectors. Cultural heritage is one of the main sectors
supported by Creative Europe. A special Creative Europe call
was launched to support heritage projects that contribute
to the European Year’s objectives. They selected 29 projects
for financing. You can find the details on http://europa.eu/
rapid/press-release_IP-18-3901_en.htm
154
partner

Helena
Vaz da
Silva
European
Award

Helena Vaz da Silva The Helena Vaz da Silva journalist, cultural activist and Council of Europe or when
in the 80s, a photo
taken on a CNC
European Award for Raising politician Helena Vaz da Silva heading the European Heritage
Sunday walk Public Awareness on Cultural (1939-2002). She was one of Journeys and in European
Heritage acknowledges the first cultural journalists in networks such as Europa Nostra
exceptional contributions Portugal and had significant – Vaz da Silva was always a
to communicating about the influence. She was not a mere trailblazer and set an example
European ideas and ideals observer of events but always for others.
that are embedded in our an active participant. After
shared cultural heritage. The the revolution of 25th April The Helena Vaz da Silva
prestigious award – established 1974, she played an important European Award for Raising
by Centro Nacional de Cultura role in the debate surrounding Public Awareness on Cultural
in cooperation with Europa culture and politics. Rather Heritage was started in
Nostra and Clube Português de than concentrating on national her spirit and all the award
Imprensa and with the support heritage, Helena Vaz da Silva winners share a strong as well
of the Gulbenkian Foundation – also sought out traces of as a personal commitment to
celebrated its 5th year in October Portuguese culture around Europe’s heritage, from literary
2017. the world. In all of her activities or musical works, news articles,
– for the Centro Nacional photographs, cartoons, films
The Award is named after de Cultura, UNESCO, the or radio and/or television
the distinguished Portuguese European Parliament, the programmes.
 French editorial 155
Winners of the Award include the true backbone for the future cartoonist Jean
the Italian writer Claudio of Europe. And that includes all Plantureux,
known as
Magris (2013), the Turkish our regional cultures and tastes; Plantu with
writer and Nobel Prize laureate languages and accents, our music, UN Secretary-
Orhan Pamuk (2014), Maestro our poetry, our architecture, our General
António
Jordi Savall, musician and theatre, and our true common Guterres
conductor from Spain (2015), language called cinema,” he
as well as the French editorial emphasized.
Writer Orhan
cartoonist Jean Plantureux, Pamuk
known as Plantu, and the During the ceremony, Silvia
Portuguese philosopher Costa, a leading Member of
Eduardo Lourenço (2016). the European Parliament’s
Committee on Culture and The Special
Recognition from
In October 2017, Wim Wenders Education, received a Special
the Award’s Jury
received the Helena Vaz da Recognition granted by the was presented
Silva European Award from the Award’s Jury for her remarkable to Silvia Costa, a
leading member
President of the Portuguese contribution to the EU strategy of the European
Republic, Marcelo Rebelo on cultural heritage and to the Parliament’s
Committee on Culture
de Sousa during a high profile promotion of the European
and Education, by the
ceremony at the Gulbenkian Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. Portuguese Minister
Foundation in Lisbon. The Guilherme d’Olliveria Martins, of Culture Castro
Mendes (photo:
German film director was Administrator of the Gulbenkian Márcia Lessa)
recognised for his unique Foundation and member of the
Wim Wenders
contribution to communicating Jury, paid tribute to her as well received the
Europe’s multicultural story and as Europa Nostra’s Secretary Helena Vaz da Silva
European Award
ideals. In his moving acceptance General Sneška Quaedvlieg- from the President
speech, he spoke about the past Mihailović who praised Costa’s of the Portuguese
and present of Europe which was outstanding commitment to Republic, Marcelo
Rebelo de Sousa
marked by exchanges and hopes putting cultural heritage at the (photo Márcia Lessa)
as much as by wars and crises. heart of the European agenda.
For the future, he stressed the
need to promote dialogue and In 2018, the Award was won
understanding between peoples by Bettany Hughes, historian,
through our common heritage. author and broadcaster from the
United Kingdom. The Award
“Europe is not the problem, it pays tribute to Hughes’ unique
is the solution. It is a mighty contribution to communicating
protective roof (this is my Europe’s history and cultural
favourite image!) and a solid heritage over the last 30 years.
structure. But it can only cover Throughout her distinguished
those under its roof, not those career, she has written and
just standing next to it! It can presented over 50 TV and radio
protect languages, traditions, documentaries – for the BBC, Hughes in the European Cultural Bettany Hughes
regions, minorities, cultures Channel 4 and Discovery, among Heritage Summit in Berlin last (photo Felix
Quaedvlieg)
and local industries better others – which have been seen June. Reacting to the news, she
than encapsulated, sealed-off by over 250 million people stated: “I am indeed entirely
small national entities that will worldwide. thrilled by the decision of the
implode, be blown away or have jury. This inspires me to re-double
their people remain isolated The announcement of the Award my efforts to strive to support,
within,” warned Wim Wenders. was made on the occasion of celebrate and save Europe’s
“Our heritage in all its diversity is the participation of Bettany heritage.”
156
The Buzludzha
7 most dangered

Monument,
Bulgaria

7 Most
Endangered 2018
The European programme to
save Europe’s heritage in danger
celebrates its 5th anniversary

Many of Europe’s cultural secure a viable future for their feasible action plans for the listed
heritage sites are in danger, endangered heritage sites. sites.*
some due to neglect, a lack The programme encourages
of expertise or resources, regional, national and European Guy Clausse is one of the
others due to inadequate stakeholders, both public and initiators of the 7 Most
planning and development. private, to join forces. Endangered Programme. He was
The flagship programme, elected in 2018 as Executive Vice-
the 7 Most Endangered, Multidisciplinary teams from President of Europa Nostra. Until
was launched in 2013. It was Europa Nostra and the European 2016, the impassioned economist
* The 7 Most Endangered
developed by Europa Nostra in Investment Bank Institute, and business administrator
is not a funding partnership with the European together with other partners was the Dean of the European
programme. It serves as
Investment Bank Institute and the nominators, visit the Investment Bank Institute after a
a catalyst for action and
to promote “the power (EIBI) with additional initial selected sites and meet with long and distinguished career as
of example”. It has the support of the Council of key stakeholders and provide Director and Special Advisor at
support of the Creative
Europe programme of
Europe Development Bank technical advice, identify the European Investment Bank
the European Union, as (CEB). The programme helps possible sources of funding with wide experience in regional
part of Europa Nostra’s
local communities who need and mobilise wide support to policy, SME finance, innovation
network project ‘Sharing
Heritage – Sharing broader European support to save these heritage landmarks. finance and urban infrastructure
Values’. The specialists then formulate funding.
He noted in 2017: “There is nominators, the position of the 2014 and 2016. If you want 157
general agreement that the 7 owners and the respective roles to know what has been
Most Endangered programme of Europa Nostra and the EIB-I happening with the sites that
has run rather well over its during the expert missions were selected since 2013,
existence of 5 years. A total and in the report writing. The please check out their progress
of 22 projects located in 15 responses of the nominated and their (success) stories at
countries were selected from sites were often good and/or www.7mostendangered.eu.
a total number of some 85 excellent. Appreciation for the
nominations. The measures programme was clearly voiced The 7 Most Endangered 2018
which were taken thereafter by the board of Europa Nostra, are (listed in alphabetical order
were aimed primarily at lifting by Henry von Blumenthal, of their country):
the visibility of lesser-known or the Deputy Dean of the EIBI
forgotten heritage projects and and by Francisco de Paula Post-Byzantine Churches
at simultaneously increasing Coelho, Dean of the European in Voskopoja and Vithkuqi,
their credibility (through the Investment Bank Institute, ALBANIA
preparation of a technical report, who added: “The European A number of Post-Byzantine
typically including a rescue plan Year of Cultural Heritage churches in Voskopoja
proposal) while drawing on both provides an ideal framework
European and local expertise. for the launch of the fourth list
When combined with a strong of 7 Most Endangered sites. The
involvement at the local and evaluation of the previously
national levels, the results turned selected sites and monuments
out to be quite impressive and has shown impressive progress
significantly contributed to a with a number of them, and
number of endangered sites and it has also substantiated the
monuments moving out of the capacity of investment in cultural
initial ‘danger zone’. However, heritage to generate multiple
such results could not be obtained benefits, notably also at the socio-
in all cases; also, the majority economic levels. We are therefore
of positive results only accrued hopeful that the sites included
over a longer period of time than on this new list will be saved for
initially expected and required future generations, thanks to
more support beyond the original a combined public and private and Vithkuqi, situated in Post-Byzantine
Churches in
report than envisaged at the support.” southeastern Albania, are
Voskopoja and
outset. In sum, the approach the most representative Vithkuqi, Albania
has worked, but there is scope The 7 Most Endangered 2018 monuments of 17th-18th-century
for fine-tuning which should be list was made public in mid- ecclesiastical art in the Balkans
explored.” March 2018 and the sites were and are masterpieces of the post-
selected by the Board of Europa Byzantine style. War, plundering
During a meeting to discuss Nostra from the 12 shortlisted and natural disasters have
the experience so far with by a panel of specialists seriously damaged this group of
the 7 Most Endangered in history, archaeology, 12 churches. The surrounding
programme in November 2017, architecture, conservation, Christian population has greatly
Guy Clausse also presented project analysis, and finance. declined and a subsequent
a detailed evaluation of the Nominations were submitted lack of clergy has resulted in
programme based on the by civil society or public bodies the majority of the churches
progress factsheets of the listed which form part of Europa remaining unused for most of
sites. Among the main issues Nostra’s network of member the year. The nomination for the
addressed were the need to find and associate organisations 7 Most Endangered programme
sustainable solutions for the from all over Europe. Previous 2018 was submitted by “The
sites, the important role of the lists were published in 2013, Past for the Future” Foundation.
158 Guy Clausse, Executive
Vice-President of Europa
7 most dangered

Nostra

Historic Centre of Historic Centre of Vienna, after the end of the Communist of 22 rock-hewn monasteries and
Vienna, Austria
AUSTRIA regime, the monument was more than 5,000 sanctuaries
Piet Jaspaert, Vice- The Historic Centre of Vienna abandoned and has since been and cave-cells. The combination
President of Europa has immense significance to victim to thefts, vandalism, and of rock architecture, medieval
Nostra during the
Endangered Heritage, Europe’s tangible and intangible severe weather conditions. The murals, prehistoric archaeology
Endangered Values culture, as a city of great Buzludzha Project Foundation and paleontological fields
discussion at the
Institute for Cultural
architectural importance and made the nomination for the 7 makes the entire ensemble
Diplomacy, Berlin 20 as an exceptional centre for the Most Endangered programme a masterpiece of Georgian
June 2018 development of arts. In 2001, it 2018. culture. The monastery complex
was inscribed on the UNESCO faces the threat of irreversible
World Heritage List. In 2012, a David Gareji Monasteries and deterioration. The main
high-rise development, which Hermitage, GEORGIA problem is the disintegration
will include the rebuilding The David Gareji Monasteries of the rocks. The Georgian Arts
and enlargement of the Hotel and Hermitage are located in and Culture Center submitted
Intercontinental, was planned Eastern Georgia, on the semi- the nomination for the 7 Most
on the site of the Vienna Ice- desert Iori plateau and partly Endangered programme 2018.
Skating Club. The development extend into neighbouring
would totally spoil the most Azerbaijan. Dating back to the Constanta Casino, ROMANIA
famous view of the city from the 6th-century, the site is comprised Built in 1910, the Constanta
Belvedere Palace and Gardens.
Europa Nostra Austria made
the nomination for the 7 Most
Endangered programme 2018.

The Buzludzha Monument,

BULGARIA
Located in the mountains
in the heart of Bulgaria, the
Buzludzha Monument is an
imposing example of 20th-
century architecture. Built in
1981 to be the House-Monument
of the then ruling Bulgarian
David Gareji
Communist Party, the structure
Monasteries and
Hermitage, Georgia was in use for just 8 years. Soon
 Constanta 159
Casino has become a landmark Casino, Romania
of the Black Sea shore. Daniel
Renard, the Swiss Romanian
architect who designed the
building, opted for a lavish
expression of Art Nouveau to
reflect Romania’s modernisation
during the reign of Carol I.
During the 2000s, the Casino
was abandoned. The main
danger to the building comes
from the corrosion and rusting
of structural metal parts. Sea
storms and winds have shattered
most of the windows facing the
sea. It is very likely that the
roof will collapse if this process orphanage until its closure in prominent physical reminder of
continues. The nomination 1964. Since then, the neglected Grimsby’s important fishing and
for the 7 Most Endangered structure has deteriorated. maritime heritage. The privately
programme 2018 was submitted Damaged by a fire in 1980, today owned Factory has been in a
by the ARCHÉ Association. the Orphanage is at immediate state of serious decline since
risk of further collapse. Europa its closure in 1990. The roof is
The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, Nostra Turkey submitted the now severely damaged allowing
Princes’ Islands, TURKEY nomination for the 7 Most water into the interiors, and
The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage Endangered programme 2018. much of its metalwork and
is considered the largest electrical fittings have been
wooden building in Europe Grimsby Ice Factory, UNITED stolen. The nomination for the
and the second largest in the KINGDOM 7 Most Endangered programme
world. Located on Prinkipo, The Grimsby Ice Factory is 2018 was made by SAVE
on the Princes’ Islands off the understood to be the oldest ice Britain’s Heritage.
coast of Istanbul, it was built factory in the United Kingdom. The Prinkipo Greek
Orphanage, Princes’
in 1899 to the design of French Designed by the engineer W. www.7mostendangered.eu Islands, Turkey
architect Alexandre Vallaury. F. Cott, the Factory dates from Grimsby Ice Factory,
The building functioned as an 1900 and is arguably the most United Kingdom
 Adaptive Reuse
160 Van Nelle Factory
in Rotterdam won a
feature

EU Prize for Cultural

Heritage / Europa
Nostra Awards in 2008.

of Built Heritage It is a UNESCO World

Heritage listed building.

in transition. The re-imagining

of industrial, religious and
military spaces is seen as the
holy grail of regeneration of
urban and rural areas. The
initiative gathers architects
and stakeholders from the
European networks in the field of
industrial, military and religious
heritage to promote good practice
in the field of adaptive reuse.
It sensitizes local and regional
authorities and communities to
the potential cultural, social and
economic benefits of (quality)
operations.

The 10 European Walking around the historic buildings have reinvigorated The positives, however, may not
Union Initiatives
and 4 Principles for cities of Europe they are hard neighbourhoods, restarted local always outweigh the negatives.
the European Year of to miss: churches, factories, economies and instilled the local During the European Cultural
Cultural Heritage
or military barracks which communities with a new sense Heritage Summit in Berlin last
have found a new future as of hope and pride. It is therefore June, a special workshop was
apartment buildings, creative no wonder that one of the 10 organised* with architects,
hubs or shopping malls. For the European Union Initiatives of heritage experts, researchers and
most part, they are the talk of the European Year of Cultural policy-makers. Europa Nostra
the town. Often, the adapted Heritage is dedicated to heritage was represented by Council
 161

Towards a Better Michel Magnier

during the
Balance between European Heritage
Tourism Promotion Awards Excellence
Fair in Berlin, 21 of
and the Safeguard of June 2018 (photo
Cultural Heritage Felix Quaedvlieg)
Another interactive workshop (top left) Antwerp
during the European Cultural Station won a EU
Heritage Summit in June 2018 Prize for Cultural
addressed a similarly important and Heritage / Europa
hotly debated topic in the heritage Nostra Awards in
field. It showcased the value of 2011
promoting tourism to cultural
heritage and how it can be effectively The fortifications
used as an asset for socio-economic of Pamplona won
and urban development, social and a EU Prize for
cultural sustainability as well as for Cultural Heritage
the preservation and conservation of / Europa Nostra
cultural heritage. It was organised by Awards in 2012
the European Travel Commission
(ETC) and supported by Europa King’s Cross
members Fani Tufano and Koen Michel Magnier was also a Nostra. Station won a EU
Prize for Cultural
van Balen. The participants speaker at the public conference Several experts from both the Heritage / Europa
discussed a number of case on Adaptive Re-Use and tourism and heritage sectors, as Nostra Awards in
well as National Geographic, 2013
studies to identify success Transition of the Built Heritage, engaged in discussions to explore the
factors. Michel Magnier, organised by the Architects’ potential for further partnerships
and collaboration between both
Director of Culture and Creativity Council of Europe (ACE) sectors. They shared examples
at the Directorate-General for on Friday 23 November in of best practices from European
destinations with some of the most
Education and Culture at the Leeuwarden (the Netherlands).
integrated approaches to tourism
European Commission concluded Leeuwarden is European Capital and cultural heritage. The workshop
revisited the Declaration, launched
the workshop by highlighting of Culture 2018. Europa Nostra
at NECSTouR’s conference Better
the contribution of quality was represented by Council Places to Live, Better Places to Visit,
reuse operations to sustainable members Tapani Mustonen which addressed five key principles
to ensure the sustainability of
development and by stressing the and Koen van Balen. The cultural heritage while also finding a
need to share good practice more conference brought architects balance between local communities
and tourists.
widely across Europe. and stakeholders of the heritage
162 sector together to take stock of the interventions have an important industrial projects and how they
feature

lessons learned over the European impact on society. Europa Nostra are an integral part of European
Year of Cultural Heritage and Council member Koen van history. The Ostrava steel plant
discuss how to build on the Balen, a moderator during the (Czech Republic), at a time the
momentum generated by the workshop in Berlin and one of largest in Europe, delivered steel
Year. They discussed the skills, the contributors in Leeuwarden, for both the Eiffel Tower and for
knowledge and competences is director of the Raymond the weapons used in European
necessary for quality heritage Lemaire International Centre for wars. In 2012, the complex was
interventions and the Conservation and a major expert carefully restored and repurposed
relationships between heritage in the field. He coordinated the as an educational and cultural
elements and new architectural research on the Cultural Heritage facility. This restoration had a
interventions. Another central Counts for Europe project deep social and cultural impact
theme was the impact of adaptive in collaboration with Europa at local, regional, national and
reuse on the attractiveness Nostra, which showed that European level. The Brussels
of cities across Europe. The adaptive research is important Turn und Taxis complex was

The old post office

of Berlin was
transformed into the
Berlin Museum for
Communication and
was on 19 June 2018
the location for A
Museum Night Out –
Dance at the Museum,
organised by NEMO
and its partners
during the European
Cultural Heritage
Summit (photo Felix
Quaedvlieg)

The rehabilitation of l’Abbaye d’Ardenne in Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe,

France won a EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in 2011

conference, which was the for Europe’s future. The study a pioneering express postal
final event of the EU initiative highlights examples such as the service that covered all parts
“Heritage in Transition”, led to Zsolnay Cultural Quarter in Pecs of Charles V’s Empire and later
the presentation of a Statement (Hungary), the Motor Valley provided docks for its trading.
on Preserving and enhancing the Cluster near Modena (Italy), the Saved from destruction by a
value of our built heritage for Sheffield’s Creative Industries Europe-wide campaign, it is
future generations through its Quarter (UK) and Temple Bar in now a privately owned multi-
adaptive re-use. Dublin (Ireland). functional complex of exhibition
and leisure spaces, offices,
These are hot topics that are close Urban planner Pierre Laconte, residences and is complemented
*by the Directorate-
General for Education to the heart of many members Council member and Chair of the by a public park. The renovation
and Culture of the of both Europa Nostra and the Europa Nostra Industrial and has had a significant regional,
European Commission
and Europa Nostra in
Heritage Alliance 3.3. Over Engineering Heritage Committee national and European impact
cooperation with the the years, many EU Prize for also spoke about examples of and was funded mainly through
Directorate-General for
Cultural Heritage / Europa successful adaptive reuse which private investment. The brewery
Research and Innovation
and the European Nostra Awards have been given will soon be published in the equipment of Wielemans-
Committee of Regions to large scale reuse and adaptation book “Europe: First industrial Ceuppens, also in Brussels,
in the frame of the
Knowledge Exchange
projects. New research also clearly Continent.” The study stresses the a pioneer of large-scale beer
Platform – KEP. points to the fact that these (European) impact of European production, was composed of
machines coming from different The World Economic Forum was held in Davos, 163
Switzerland in January 2018. On the eve of this
European countries. They are to be important summit, a high level conference on
restored for educational purposes, cultural heritage was organised by the Swiss
government. It led to the adoption of the Davos
in line with a study financed with Declaration Towards a high-quality Baukultur
the monetary award of the Grand for Europe which stipulated the central
role of cultural heritage for Europe’s built
Prix of the EU Prize for Cultural environment.
Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards.
The Declaration stated that “culture must be
This will enhance the cultural placed at the centre of development policies
and its contribution to the pursuit of the
and social impact of the restored
common good must be emphasised. There can
brewery, now a cultural centre of be no democratic, peaceful and sustainable
regional, national and European development if culture is not at its heart. There
is an urgent need for a holistic, culture-centred
importance. The offices of the Logomo creative approach to the built environment and for a
hub and event centre in Turku, humanistic view of the way we collectively shape
Finland which was restored when the places we live in and the legacy we leave
It is clear that adaptive reuse the city was European Capital of behind.”
of heritage sites is of vital Culture in 2011
https://davosdeclaration2018.ch/programme/

The Oslo waterfront is one of the many European

examples where the old industrial harbour areas
are transformed into new and lively city centres

The outstanding rehabilitation of Building 17 of the Cromford Mills won a EU

Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in 2017

importance for local communities monuments and architectural Horizon2020 supported

and the liveability of our cities education, differs among innovative projects in Adaptive
and countryside. Across Europe, European countries. In her Reuse of Built Heritage
we can discover hundreds of opinion, it is time that the The CLIC project develops, tests and validates
good examples. It is, however, quality criteria and principles innovative “circular” business, financing and
governance models to place cultural heritage and
not a one-size-fits-all concept. for adaptive reuse interventions historical urban landscapes adaptive reuse at the
Fani Tufano, Council Member be reconsidered, redefined and forefront for the implementation of a European
model of circular economy and circular city-
of Europa Nostra and former reconfirmed: adaptive re-use region centered on the regeneration of cultural
Chair of the Jury in the Category has been greatly encouraged and natural capital.
Conservation of the EU Prize and supported as a fundamental https://www.clicproject.eu/
for Cultural Heritage / Europa driver for sustainable socio- The ROCK project focuses on historic city
Nostra Awards, draws attention economic development and centres as extraordinary laboratories to
demonstrate how cultural heritage can be a
to the fact that adaptive re-use, growth. However, equilibrium is unique and powerful engine of regeneration,
either of individual historic necessary between the original sustainable development and economic
growth for the whole city. ROCK implements a
fabrics or of wider historic urban European cultural character of repertoire of successful heritage-led regeneration
areas, is flourishing worldwide. the sites and the modern-day and initiatives related to 7 Role Model selected cities:
Athens, Cluj-Napoca, Eindhoven, Liverpool,
She notes, however, that the practical requirements, as well Lyon, Turin and Vilnius.
approach concerning conservation as the need for contemporary
https://rockproject.eu
policy, characterization of expression.
164
European Cultural
lıvıng herıtage

Capital of Culture
Valetta

European Capitals
of Culture
Everybody agreed that there the Ministers for Culture in an Culture) to give Europeans the
was really only one city which effort to put culture and cultural chance to learn more about each
could be the first European heritage higher on the agenda. other’s cultures and to share
Capital of Culture in 1985. It She suggested a European City their heritage and values.
had to be Athens, the cradle of of Culture programme (later
democracy, the heart of Europe’s renamed European Capital of Nowadays, the European
cultural ambitions.* On top of Capitals of Culture is one of
that, it was the Greek Minister the most well-known and
of Culture and famous actress most popular activities of the
Melina Mercouri (1920-94) European Union. The cities
who had suggested the idea. are chosen on the basis of a
She was unhappy about the strong Europe-minded cultural
lack of cultural references in programme, which engages and
the European project. There involves the local communities
was no mentioning of culture or and helps with the long-term
cultural heritage in the Treaty development of the city’s
of Rome, the constitutional success. Eligibility is open to
basis of the European Union cities in EU-Member States
(1957). During the first Greek only. The decision is based on an
* The EU has also granted presidency of the Council of evaluation conducted by a panel
the European Heritage Melina Mercouri
Label to the heart of
the European Union in 1983, of independent experts in the
in 1985
Ancient Athens. Mercouri brought together all field of culture. From 2021 and
 165

every three years thereafter, a cities, the effects seem to be city had to learn to embrace its Campaign images
of Leeuwarden in
third capital will be chosen from very temporary, while others diverse cultural history and the Netherlands
candidates for accession to the have permanently improved the its German, Jewish and Polish for 2018
European Capital
European Union or countries of liveability of their inner city. heritage to create a new and open
of Culture
the European Economic Area city. They used the year to prove
Opening
(EEA). According to research on the that civilisation cannot develop ceremony in
impact – the EU evaluates without culture. They wanted to Valetta, Malta
(photo building
To be selected as a European the programme on a yearly show, share and celebrate how
by Jason Borg)
Capital of Culture seems an basis – the European Capital life can grow from destruction
opportunity to reap considerable designation increases the city’s and human tragedies, to create
cultural, social and economic cultural vibrancy by 50%. 90% beauty from ashes.
benefits. It can potentially of the local population feel
help with urban regeneration that their city became a better What is the experience so
projects and change the city’s place to live. Obviously, during far in the two cities who are
image and reputation for the the year the cities see a strong European Capital of Culture in
better. The programme is clearly increase in visitors and an the European Year of Cultural
one of the most prestigious explosion of cultural activities Heritage, Leeuwarden in the
events in Europe but is it really but the long-term effects may Netherlands and Valetta in
successful in the participating be more elusive and can only Malta?
cities? The EU makes a financial be observed for a smaller group
contribution to help fund events of cities (for instance, Essen, Leeuwarden’s theme is Iepen
through the aptly named Melina Guimarães, Salamanca, and Mienskip (Open Community)
Mercouri prize (€1.5 million) Tallinn). based on the idea of working from
but the chosen communities the bottom up to create a better
also have to heavily invest in Wrocław (2016) made it world. The activities cover a wide
their arts, culture and heritage perhaps most clear what the range of subjects, from clean
offerings. How about the return importance of the programme drinking water, a multicultural
on their investment? What was can be for each individual city. society, sustainable innovations to
the long-term impact on cities In essence, they stated, it gives poverty reduction.
like Lisbon (1994), Amsterdam the opportunity to tell your
(1987), Turku (2011), Genoa story to the world. According
(2004), Weimar (1999), Istanbul to their Cultural Capital bid,
(2010) or Mons (2015) to name the Second World War had left
but a few? Not every city seems the city utterly ruined – both
to have profited equally. In some physically and spiritually. The
166
lıvıng herıtage

The city is buzzing and cultural

activities are flourishing. In
2017, there were 2,000 city
walks, this year they have
already organised 10,000. An
exhibition on painter Alma-
Tadema in the Frisian Museum
has attracted over 160,000
visitors so far. The inquiries at
the local tourism office doubled.

In Valetta meanwhile, over

140 projects and 400 events
are taking place throughout
the year. Valletta 2018 has
invested heavily in the
involvement of around 1,000
local and international artists,
curators, artist collectives,
performers, workshop leaders,
writers, designers, choirs, and
Mons (Bergen)
in Belgium was film-makers. They want to
European Capital of provide equal opportunities for
Culture in 2015
everyone and made inclusivity
Turku in Finland was
a necessity. The basic thought
European Capital of
Culture in 2011 behind the activities is to make
Malta’s capital more vibrant
and to accomplish long-term
results which benefit the local
population. The city invested
more than €10 million in its
cultural sector. At the centre of
the 2018 programme are several
infrastructure projects such
as MUŻA, the Valletta Design
Cluster, Is-Suq tal-Belt and
Strait Street which will continue
They aim to connect with the eleven cities of the famous well after 2018.
different communities across long-distance ice-skating
Europe. Perhaps the most championship, the Elfstedentocht For the coming years, the
prestigious and lasting idea (Eleven cities tour). new European Capitals of
is the 11 Fountains Project, Culture are already actively
with fountains designed by The hotels are – as could be planning their activities. In
international artists for each of expected – busier than usual. 2019 attention will go to Matera
 167

Genua in Italy was

(Italy) and Plovdiv (Bulgaria). European Capital of
The next cities to host the title Culture in 2004
will be Galway (Ireland) and Plovdiv in Bulgaria
will be European
Rijeka (Croatia) in 2020. Novi
Capital of Culture in
Sad (Serbia), Elefsina (Greece) 2019
and Timisoara (Romania) will
be European Capitals of Culture
in 2021.

It is maybe food for thought

that more than 30 years after
Melina Mercouri suggested
putting culture and cultural
heritage higher on the agenda
of the European Union, civil
society still has to convince
many politicians that the may signal a positive change foundation of culture and shared
European project is first and in attitude. If Europe wants heritage. The success of the
foremost a cultural project. to conquer the hearts of all European Capitals of Culture
The European Year of Cultural Europeans and bring them programme has, over the years,
Heritage and the changes being together to forge a common contributed significantly to
foreseen in the priorities of future, we have to recognise help hammer this vital message
the European Commission that Europe is built on a home.
 Wiki Loves Monuments
168
partner

Photo Competition
For the 8th successive year, Wiki Loves Monuments was organized in 2017
by teams of volunteers, from more than 50 countries. What started in the
Netherlands in 2010 as an experiment, has now become an annual worldwide
celebration of built heritage.

Verrucole Castle
in Tuscany by Iris
Gonelli
Like Wikipedia itself, Wiki 169
Loves Monuments is built on a
philosophy of open participation
and free-licensed sharing. Since
2010, thousands of volunteers
- tourist or local, amateur or
professional photographer -
have accepted our invitation to
discover, document, and share
the built cultural heritage. You,
too, are invited to join us in the
month of September and share
your photos of monuments with
the rest of the world and help
showcase the cultural riches on
Wikipedia.

Through this competition,

Wiki Loves Monuments has
helped expand the digital record
for world’s monuments, both
famous and little-known. But
it has also grown beyond just
a photography competition:
volunteers contribute heritage
knowledge to Wikipedia not
just through photos but also
through writing articles, they
curate the largest monuments
database on Wikidata and
encourage people to participate
through local events. It has also
provided a platform for people
to share their personal stories
of their favorite monuments
and has helped bring awareness
to cultural heritage and in
some cases to those that are
endangered.
170 Verrucole Castle in Tuscany
partner

managed to win twice in the

international finale! The photo
on the left is by Iris Gonelli,
5th place 2017. Iris’s obsession
with perfect lighting has
produced this spectacular view
of Verrucole Castle in Italy
making it hard to believe that
this beautiful monument was
once a jail. The photo on the
right by Simone Letari won the
6th place and shows the interior
of the castle. Simone was taking
photos but was not quite happy
with the outdoor lighting so he
moved inside and noticed that
the light at that moment lent
Interior of Verrucole
Castle in Tuscany by itself well to having a Flemish
Simone Letari style with adequate post-
production, but without
ruining the realism by
exaggerating.

Kateryna Baiduzha, 4th place

winner in Slovakia describes her
photo of the Ruins of Lietava
Castle as: “This photo shows
what Slovakia means to me:
scenic ruined castles in the
mountains. There is something
magical in abandoned castles,
they preserve the atmosphere
of living history. In those places
you can feel like an explorer, not
just a visitor; you can touch the
real medieval walls or sit on a
Ruins of Lietava window with an amazing view
Castle by Kateryna for as long as you want.”
Baiduzha

The Fjærland Church is

Whenever you see a monument probably photographed a million
Facts about don’t forget to take a photo times. But the conventional
Wiki Loves Monuments. and submit it to Wiki Loves angles didn’t appeal much
When: Month of September. Monuments in September 2019. to Bjørn Erik Pedersen, the
Where: Countries change from year to year. You can also contribute by photographer of this image.
Images: almost 2M free images were becoming a local organizer and Until he walked up into the
collected. 450K is being used in Wikipedia.
lead the effort in your country. hillside behind the church:
Winners: 10 national winners per country. “You get the magical fjord with
15 international winners in the grand finale.
These are the European winners the green glacier water as its
Participate: check out
www.wikilovesmonuments.org of Wiki Loves Monuments 2017: backdrop.” It won him the first
place in the Norwegian WLM 171
competition.

The Shipka Memorial in

Bulgaria marks the 1878
liberation from Ottoman
rule. It felt such an important
and historic place to the
photographer Anna Boeva, who
described the people visiting the
place as walking in the footsteps
of the soldiers, honoring their
memory. She and her boyfriend
took many photos of the sunset
and managed to capture the
texture and mountain in this one
photo. It won the first place in Fjærland Church by
the Bulgarian competition. Bjørn Erik Pederse

Skerries Windmills by Catherine

Shipka MemorialShipka Memorial
Bushe, 5th place in Ireland. in Bulgaria by in Bulgaria by
“The surrounding of Skerries Anna Boeva Anna Boeva
is quite flat, so the great five-
sail windmill (built in 1750)
dominates the skyline, and
demands to be photographed!
Milling took place here for
centuries, and the complex
has been restored as a Heritage
Centre which brings to life the
story of the milling, and its place
in local history.

Liepāja by Mārtiņš Bruņenieks,

8th place in Latvia. “The thing
that pleases me most about
the photo is that the building
pictured is far from the capital
city where half of the population Skerries Skerries
Windmills by Windmills by
reside. The building itself is a Catherine BusheCatherine Bushe
dwelling house built in 1903 by
Max Theodore Berchi who built
it to ensure income at the end
of his life — his application for a
pension from city council was
rejected despite serving 32 years
as the main city architect.”

WIKI LOVES MONUMENTS

IS A PARTNER OF
EUROPA NOSTRA
 IN MEMORIAM
172
ın memorıam

HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark, President of Europa Nostra (1990-2007)

HRH Prince Henrik It is with great sadness and Greatly committed and and also in his Chateau de Caix
of Denmark during
the 40th anniversary profound respect that Europa dedicated to our work, Prince near Cahors in France.
of Europa Nostra in Nostra pays tribute and Henrik never missed a General
2003
expresses its gratitude to His Assembly or a Council meeting Prince Henrik’s wise and
Royal Highness the Prince of Europa Nostra, a European prudent advice was highly
Consort of Denmark who passed Heritage Awards Ceremony or valued for any action aimed
away on 13 February 2018. any other event for which his at the promotion of Europe’s
Prince Henrik was the President presence was important. From cultural heritage, or in any
of Europa Nostra for a period The Hague in 1990 to Stockholm situation of threat to this
of 17 years, from 1990 to June in 2007, via Istanbul, Milan, heritage. The members of
2007. His Presidency marked Budapest, Cardiff, Vienna, Europa Nostra will always
a phase of unprecedented Warsaw, Berlin, Madrid, Naples, have very fond memories of his
growth and development for Prague, Lucerne, Dubrovnik, frankness and his affability,
our organisation, which is today Strasbourg, Munich, Bergen, which made dialogue easy
recognised as the true “Voice” of Malta…, he toured with us and reinforced the team and
cultural heritage in Europe. around Europe, and hosted family spirit within a European
several meetings in Denmark organisation that owes so
much to him for its current The contribution of Prince the origins of Europa Nostra, 173
expansion. Members of the Henrik to Europa Nostra was and with the European Union,
governing bodies and the decisive: consolidating our of which our organisation
International Secretariat of organisation among others by has become a valued partner
Europa Nostra were always establishing its headquarters in representing civil society. Let
appreciative of his attentive The Hague (the Netherlands) us in particular mention that
concern regarding the issues with a permanent and it is under his mandate that
at stake in our organisation, efficient Secretariat, as well as the medals and diplomas of
especially at a time when developing its collaboration Europa Nostra became in 2002
Europe was at a turning point in with the European Union the European Union Prize for
its history. and enlarging our citizens’ Cultural Heritage / Europa
movement for cultural and Nostra Awards. All in all,
The Prince Consort of Denmark natural heritage throughout following the successful merger
became President of Europa Greater Europe. This latter task of the International Castles
Nostra in 1990, only a few was especially dear to Prince Institute (IBI – Internationales
months after the fall of the Henrik’s heart: he was always Burgeninstitut) with Europa
Berlin Wall which marked
the beginning of a new era for
the countries of Central and
Eastern Europe. Our continent
was finally becoming a vast
space of democracy and security
based on shared values. Our
cultural heritage proved to be a
key factor in this new European
momentum, opening up new
horizons for the objectives and
activities of Europa Nostra.
At that time, accepting the
Presidency of our organisation
was an act of courage and
evidence of Prince Henrik’s
dedication to European ideals.
By doing so, Prince Henrik took
up the task of continuing the keen to learn about the needs Nostra, our organisation has HRH Prince Henrik
of Denmark meets
work of his two predecessors and concerns of associations grown to become the largest Europa Nostra
who were both strongly and communities committed to European non-governmental President Plácido
Domingo during the
committed to a united Europe: cultural heritage in the countries network bringing together civil
50th anniversary of
Lord Duncan-Sandys, former of Central and Eastern Europe society representations active in the organisation in
British Minister, Member of and he was always delighted to the field of cultural and natural 2013 at the National
Observatory in
Parliament and Chairman discover heritage sites in this heritage across our continent. Athens.
of the Sub-Committee on part of Europe and to offer them
Cultural Heritage of the Europa Nostra’s full support. All of these significant
Parliamentary Assembly achievements reflect the great
of the Council of Europe, Prince Henrik’s diplomatic dedication to the mission and
and Hans de Koster, former skills and finesse were a activities of Europa Nostra by
Minister of the Netherlands, great asset to help us ensure HRH the Prince Consort of
who chaired the Committee of the right balance for our Denmark, whom we will always
Ministers and subsequently the relationship with the Council remember with gratitude,
Parliamentary Assembly of the of Europe, the Strasbourg- affection and respect.
Council of Europe. based institution linked to
 Co-funded by the
Creative Europe Programme
174 of the European Union
ın memorıam

EUROPEAN HERITAGE AWARDS 2019

The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra It stimulates creativity and innovation, through the
Awards is Europe’s most prestigious accolade in power of example.
the heritage field. Every year, it honours the most In 2019, the awards will be given to up to 30
outstanding heritage achievements from all over remarkable heritage projects and initiatives. Seven
the continent. It recognises the excellence and will be selected as Grand Prix winners, receiving
dedication by architects, craftspeople, heritage €10,000 each, and one will be given the Public Choice
experts, volunteers, schools, local communities and Award.
the media.

More info: europanostra.org / europeanheritageawards.eu

Published by Articles written by Photography Paper and Printing EUROPA NOSTRA All rights reserved.
EUROPA NOSTRA TV Culture (except where TV Culture Quantes INTERNATIONAL
noted) Wiki Commons No part of either publication may be reproduced
The Voice of Cultural SECRETARIAT
(except where noted) in any material form, including electronic means,
Heritage in Europe Special Thanks Websites Lange Voorhout 35 without the prior written permission of the
Production NL - 2514 EC The Hague copyright owners.
European Cultural Heritage Guy Clausse europanostra.org
Review (December 2018) Piet Jaspaert MYRA, Istanbul, Turkiye T +31 (0) 70 302 40 50 The views expressed are those of the authors and
myra.com.tr myra.com.tr
ISSN:1871-417X not necessarily those of Europa Nostra.
Denis de Kergorlay tvculture.nl F +31 (0) 70 361 78 65
President Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović Design Supervisor [email protected]
quantes.nl The European Commission support for the
Plácido Domingo Elena Bianchi Rauf Kösemen production of this publication does not
Silvie Malinovskà constitute an endorsement of the contents which
Executive President Coordination
This publication is co-funded by reflects the views only of the authors, and the
Hermann Parzinger Jana Paratz Damla Özlüer the Creative Europe programme Commission cannot be held responsible for
Joana Pinheiro of the European Union any use which may be made of the information
Secretary-General Periodical Design contained therein.
Manon Richard
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović Tülay Demircan, Banu Y. Ocak
Louise van Rijckevorsel Every effort has been made to trace the copyright
Editor in Chief Giuseppe Simone Page Layout Co-funded by the holders of old material.
Wolter Braamhorst Barbara Zander Gülderen Rençber Erbaş Creative Europe Programme Where these efforts have not been successful,
Technical Controls
of the European Union copyright owners are invited to contact the editor.
Concept Proofreading
TV Culture Audrey Hogan Harun Yılmaz
 175

Trieste, Italy

Become a Member of Europa Nostra

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GIVE US A CALL, EUROPA NOSTRA Europa Nostra is a non-profit organisation, which

SEND US AN EMAIL The Voice of Cultural Heritage in is financially supported by membership fees and
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176
ın memorıam

EUROPA NOSTRA
celebrates the
EUROPEAN YEAR OF
CULTURAL HERITAGE 2018
EUROPA NOSTRA represents a rapidly growing citizens’ movement for the
safeguarding of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. Our pan-European
network is composed of 240 member organisations (heritage associations
and foundations with a combined membership of more than 5 million people),
140 associated organisations (governmental bodies, local authorities and
corporations) and also 1100 individual members who directly support our
mission.

TOGETHER,
• we form an important lobby for cultural heritage in Europe;
• we celebrate excellence through the European Heritage Awards organised
by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Union; and
• we campaign to save Europe’s endangered historic monuments, sites and
cultural landscapes.

We are the Voice of Cultural Heritage in Europe

The A.G. Leventis Foundation

Europa Nostra gratefully acknowledges the continued support of

the A.G. Leventis Foundation, without whom much of our work
would not be possible.

www.europanostra.org
 A long term
Our Global
view improves Success Story of
our view of Entrepreneurship
and Creativity
the short term.
Asset Management
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Asset Services

Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that

operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes
the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin
Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the music
company BMG, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann
Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group and
Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds.
The company has 119,000 employees and generated revenues
of €17.2 billion in the 2017 financial year. Bertelsmann stands
for entrepreneurship and creativity. This combination promotes
first-class media content and innovative service solutions that
inspire customers around the world.

Pictet is proud to support Europa Nostra

in their commitment to protect Europe’s cultural
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 ISSN: 1871-417X
EUROPEAN CULTURAL
HERITAGE REVIEW 2019

DISCOVER EUROPE’S HIDDEN CONNECTIONS

WAR & PEACE
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THE BERLIN CALL TO ACTION
AND MUCH MORE...

EUROPE SPECIAL