EUROPA NOSTRA NEWSLETTER
Winter 2005 - 2006
Exchanging Ideas and Experiences
EUROPA NOSTRA FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Europa Nostra at Exponatec Cologne 2006: 15 - 18 March 2006Europa Nostra will be represented during the Exponatec Cologne 2006, the International Trade Fair for Museums, Restoration and Cultural Heritage, which will be held for the second time from 15 to 18 February 2006 in Cologne. On the occasion of the Exponatec Cologne, the Europa Nostra Management Committee will meet on 14 February 2006 in Cologne. At the Symposium on “Museums, Museology and Heritage” on 15 February, our Executive President, Otto von der Gablentz, and Niels-Knud Liebgott, Member of the Europa Nostra Scientific Council, will give introductory speeches. Dr. Holger Rescher, Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, will represent Europa Nostra during a heritage conservation and restoration forum organised by the University of Cologne during the Exponatec Cologne 2006. The Best in Heritage – Club of Excellence will take place from 14 – 16 February in the context of the Exponatec Trade Fair. Europa Nostra members are welcome to join the event at a reduced admission fee. Further information: Tamara van Kessel, +31 70 302 40 53, meo@europanostra.org also: www.exponatec.de
Europa Nostra at TEFAF Maastricht - 10 - 19 March 2006As in previous years, Europa Nostra will have complimentary information stand at the world's largest fine art fair, taking place in Maastricht (Netherlands) from 10 - 19 March 2006. Further information: www.tefaf.com
Annual Congress in Malta: 17—20 May 2006including the Europa Nostra Forum: “Cultural tourism, its Encouragement and Control” (19 May)
Further information: Tamara van Kessel, +31 70 302 40 53, meo@europanostra.org also: www.dinlarthelwa.org
European Heritage Awards Ceremony in Madrid, 27 June 2006The winners of the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards will be announced in Madrid (Spain) on 27 June 2006, in the presence of HM Queen Sofia of Spain, President of Hispania Nostra and HRH the Prince Consort of Denmark, President of Europa Nostra. The Ceremony will take place at the Royal Palace of El Pardo (Madrid) on Tuesday 27 June at 12:00. Further information: Eléonore de Merode, Awards Officer, +31 70 302 40 52, ao@europanostra.org
EUROPA NOSTRA RECENT EVENTS
Scientific Council met in Sibiu to study fortified churches and monasteries41st Colloquium of the Europa Nostra Scientific Council: 3 - 8 September 2005 This meeting of the Scientific Council was organised by its Romanian member Herman Fabini in close cooperation with Gianni Perbellini, Chairman of the Scientific Council. Prior to the Colloquium, six members of the Scientific Council reviewed the entries for the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards in category 2 (Studies in the field of cultural heritage) and selected 6 winning projects (see below). The opening ceremony of the colloquium was attended by the Mayor of Sibiu, Klaus Johannis; the President of the County Council of Sibiu, Martin Bottesch and Europa Nostra Executive President elect Andrea Schuler. Angus Fowler represented the Council of Europa Nostra. The Scientific Council chose to meet in Sibiu for its historical, artistic and monumental significance and to underline its great interest in the fortified churches and monasteries, rare in other European countries, but present in large numbers in Romania. The theme of the colloquium was “Fortified churches and monasteries.” Scientific Council members presented studies that focused on the historic research on fortified religious buildings, and the challenges of their present day preservation and modern use. Many examples came from Transylvania renowned for its fortified churches, but studies of the defensive structures of religious buildings from across Europe were reported, described, analysed and discussed. Excursions included visits to the town of Sibiu, its walls, its churches and some houses; Axente Sever; Valea Viilor, Biertan, Sighişoara, Miercurea Sibiului, the fortress of Calnic, Alba Julia and an exhibition of photographs of fortified churches in the region by Herman Fabini. Further information: Gianni Perbellini perbellini@hotmail.com
UK Heritage NGO meeting in London, organised in cooperation with Heritage Link - 1 November 2005Fourteen Europa Nostra Member Organisations and twelve other heritage NGOs in the UK joined a meeting organised by Europa Nostra and Heritage Link at Cadogan Hall, London on 1 November 2005. They were met by a delegation of fourteen Europa Nostra members headed by Europa Nostra’s Executive President elect, Andrea Schuler. John Sell, Vice President for the UK chaired the meeting dedicated to an open exchange of views on all matters related to cultural heritage. Discussions dealt with the following topics: “Europa Nostra in the UK: past, present and future”, introduced by John Sell; “How is Europa Nostra promoting heritage issues at a European level?” introduced by Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic; “How can UK heritage organisations link with European counterparts on issues of common concern?” introduced by Kate Pugh, Secretary of Heritage Link and “How can we work together to protect Europe’s heritage in danger?” introduced by Adam Wilkinson (SAVE Europe’s Heritage) and Denis de Kergorlay, Vice President of Europa Nostra. Issues that were brought up during the debate included the management of networks and other structures for the exchange of information; the need to raise the profile of cultural heritage in the media and in politics by stressing its social and economic benefits including urban regeneration and cultural tourism; the importance of members of topical networks to meet face to face once in a while. Specific issues that demanded urgent attention included the financing of religious buildings; the dangers of modern urban development, including high rise buildings, fuelled by high land prices to the historic fabric of old towns. This last topic was of common concern to many city centres throughout Europe and therefore requested a concerted approach. Further information: www.heritagelink.org.uk
EUROPA NOSTRA REPRESENTATIONS
Europa Nostra in the Czech Republic - updateA second preparatory meeting for the setting up of a Europa Nostra country representation in the Czech Republic took place on 2 September 2005 in Prague. Twenty-five people participated, some of them persons representing NGOs and museums that had not been able to attend the launch meeting of last March. Europa Nostra’s Secretary General attended the September meeting to give advice and support for the further establishment of the Representation. At the end of the meeting the participants agreed to form a working group composed of about ten people, which met at the beginning of October to prepare the draft statutes of the new Czech entity, based on Europa Nostra’s own statutes.
Meeting of Europa Nostra in the UK, Newcastle upon Tyne, 15-17 September 2005As part of the celebrations of its 40th Anniversary, the North of England Civic Trust teamed up with the Steering Committee of Europa Nostra in the UK to organise its inaugural conference. At this meeting, Europa Nostra's Vice President John Sell was appointed as the Chairman, Peter Collins as the Treasurer and Zeynep Aygen as the Secretary of Europa Nostra in the UK. It was stressed that the main aim of this liaison committee would be to provide support to Europa Nostra in The Hague. Other aspects of the structure and future of EN in UK were discussed, including fundraising and liaising with UK member organisations and other UK heritage NGOs. The conference also included the 2nd Duncan-Sandys Memorial Lecture at which Europa Nostra Vice-President Catharina Collet spoke and presented the Scandinavian and Baltic experience with involving communities and NGOs in urban regeneration schemes and in the defence of historic places threatened by inappropriate development. The Conference, held in the former Saint Mary's Church on the redeveloped Gateshead Quays featured seven speakers on regeneration including the Ancoats district in Manchester, the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, Edinburgh World Heritage City, the Cumbria Lakes and the Monumentenwacht's pioneering work in The Netherlands. The meeting was followed by by an excursion to Christian heritage sites in Northumbria led by Europa Nostra Council member Angus Fowler (Förderkreis Alte Kirchen). Lester Borley will continue to be in charge of organising annual meetings, the next one having been scheduled for 17 - 20 October 2006 in Oxford.
Europa Nostra in Deutschland and Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz decide on closer cooperation15 November 2005 in Bonn At a meeting in Bonn on 15 November, hosted by Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz (DSD) and presided over by Alexander zu Sayn Wittgenstein Sayn, the closer cooperation between Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz and Europa Nostra Deutschland was confirmed, and a new representation of DSD in the Europa Nostra Council discussed. Both organisations will work together in coordinating Europa Nostra activities in Germany and in particular the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards.
"Serbia Nostra" to become "Europa Nostra in Serbia"During the recent visit of a Europa Nostra delegation to Belgrade (see Heritage at Risk: Kosovo), Serbia Nostra organised a meeting in the Gallery of Frescoes on 29 November. Nadja Kurtovic Folic, President of Serbia Nostra gave an overview of the current activities of Serbia Nostra and its challlenges and future objectives. Later, several members presented a range of heritage projects they were working on. One month later, on 28 December, Europa Nostra Secretary-General Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic held a meeting in Belgrade with some members of Serbia Nostra (Nadja Kurtovic Folic, Irina Subotic, Damjan Tatic and Jelisaveta Mihajlovic) to discuss the possible reorganisation and new name for the organisation. Further information: Damjan Tatic, Secretary General ddtatic@EUnet.yu
EUROPEAN NETWORKSENNHO European Exchange ProgrammeKlaipeda, Lithuania, 15-19 September 2005From 15 to 19 September the European Network of National Heritage Organisations (ENNHO) European Exchange Programme took place in Klaipeda, Lithuania, in the context of the European Heritage Days. The theme was “Ice-Free Culture 2005. Cultural Heritage in Use: Good and Bad Solutions”. In this context, “Ice-Free” referred not so much to Klaipeda’s important port, one of the few on the Baltic Sea never to freeze, but to an approach to heritage that remains dynamic, open to creative solutions for re-use and ready to question itself. Europa Nostra was represented by Tamara van Kessel, Secretary of the Europa Nostra Central and Eastern Europe Working Group. Various topics were discussed during the plenary session, ranging from studies on the impact of tourism on historic cities to problems of military heritage re-use, from Liverpool as World Heritage City to the use of cultural heritage in Lithuania. Four working groups focused on issues related to: maritime heritage and coastal culture; re-use of military relicts; cultural landscape management and reviving manor houses and parks. The excursions included not only the Curonian Spit and the manor houses of West Lithuania, but also the Karosta pre-World War I coastal fortifications and the Liepaja Karosta Garrison Prison (both in Latvia). The Garrison Prison’s current use as museum, where visitors can experience prison life with all their senses during a short re-enactment, led to what seemed the liveliest discussion on the good and bad use of heritage. A Final Report on the European Exchange Programme will be produced by the ENNHO Secretariat. Further information: www.ennho.org
OTHER CONFERENCES
15th General Assembly of ICOMOS and Scientific Symposium, Xi’an, China (17-21 October 2005)T his 15th General Assembly of ICOMOS was particularly significant as it coincided with the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the organisation. A Scientific Symposium on the theme “Monuments and Sites in their Setting – Conserving Cultural Heritage in Changing Landscapes and Townscapes” was held in parallel to these events. Europa Nostra was represented at this triennual event by its Council Member, Mr Emil van Brederode, who also reported on Europa Nostra's recent activities.. Apart from discussing regular business, elections for a three year term were held. Michael Petzet (Germany), Dinu Bumbaru (Canada) and Giora Solar (Israel) were re-elected to the offices of President, Secretary-General and Treasurer respectively. Gustavo Araoz (USA), Kristal Buckley (Australia), Tamas Fejerdy (Hungary), Carlos Pernaut (Argentina) and Guo Zahn (China) were elected Vice-Presidents. The following persons were elected to the Executive Committee: Ray Bondin (Malta), Andrew Hall (South Africa), Axel Mykleby (Norway), Gilles Nourissier (France), Yasuyoshi Okada (Japan), Hae-Un RII (Korea), Angela Rojas (Cuba), Benedicte Selfslagh (Belgium), Hristina Staneva (Bulgaria), Lazar Sumanov (Macedonia), Boguslaw Szmygin (Polonia) and Javier Villalobos (México). Further information: Eléonore de Merode, Awards Officer, ao@europanostra.org Also: www.icomos.org
11th International Conference of National Trusts - Washington DC, 15 - 19 October 2005More than 175 preservationists and conservationists from around the globe attended the 11th International Conference of National Trusts held this October in Washington and hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. NTHP President Richard Moe and Chairman Jonathan Kemper officially opened the conference on Sunday morning, and participants heard from a wide range of speakers on topics that included diversity, sustainability, new models for heritage sites, and the use of conservation to alleviate poverty. The conference included the passage of a resolution by the International National Trust community in support of NTHP advocacy efforts with the Congress seeking $60 million in grant funds for use in hurricane recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast. In addition, steps were taken to establish an international National Trust organization, to provide improved coordination and cohesion to the National Trust movement. Europa Nostra was represented by its Secretary General Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic. Further information: www.nationaltrust.org/international/
The Heart of the Matter: What Future for the Balkans in the EU? The Hague, Peace Palace, 1 December 2005
The European Cultural Foundation and HIVOS together organized a Conference that offered a platform to share analysis and views on the role of the arts and culture in the integration process. Speakers and participants made the case for culture and cultural cooperation to be included in the integration road map and advocated that cultural engagement can reinvigorate political dialogue, break prejudices and contribute to stability in the region. The conference discussed concrete and complementary political and cultural measures to facilitate the region’s inclusion in the EU. Among the many speakers were the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ben Bot and the Chairman of Working Table I of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Goran Svilanovic. The role of cultural heritage as an essential part of the cultural identity of the Balkans was stressed by several speakers. Europa Nostra was represented by it Secretary General, Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic and Policy and Campaigns Officer Mark Snethlage. Further information: Isabelle Schwarz, Cultural Policy Development Manager, ischwarz@eurocult.org, www.eurocult.org
Cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue in Kosovo, International SeminarRome 5 December 2005 Europa Nostra Vice President and Head of the Delegation that visited Kosovo and Belgrade, Denis de Kergorlay, represented Europa Nostra at this international seminar organised by the Italian Foreign Office and the humanitarian NGO InterSOS on 5 December in Rome. The Seminar brought together representatives of the governments in Belgrade and Pristina, heritage experts from the Institutes for Monuments Protection, representatives of the religious communities, of heritage NGOs and Intergovernmental organisations. It was an occasion to explore the role of cultural heritage in conflict resolution and to discuss experiences obtained with cooperation in a conflict area. Further information: www.intersos.org
YOUTH AND HERITAGE EDUCATION
“The Adventure of the Heritage” now also available in Italian
The European Heritage teaching book for school children written by Yves Robert and published by Europa Nostra Belgium in 2004 has been translated into Italian by our Council member Piero Ravaioli. The Municipality of Forli’ (Italy) has kindly offered to cover the printing costs and has purchased copies for distribution at the Municipal schools. Europa Nostra extends its warm thanks to Mr Ravaioli and the Municipality of Forli’ for this generous gesture. The book now exists in four language versions (English, French, Italian and Dutch), and can be ordered from the Europa Nostra Secretariat (10 euro + p&p)
Education outside the classroom manifestoThe UK Ministry for Education and Sports will launch “Education Outside the Classroom Manifesto”. It is intended to be a ‘movement’, or joint undertaking which many stakeholders create and which anyone, including providers, voluntary organisations, youth groups, schools and local authorities can sign up to. The main aim of the Manifesto is to provide all children and young people with a variety of high quality learning experiences outside a classroom environment, whether that be during school, after school or during holidays. A consultation is open for comments until 30 January 2006. Further information: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1370
Heritage in the Classroom - A Practical Guide for TeachersThe Project group Hereduc (Heritage Education) recently issued a teacher’s manual for European Heritage education. The Project is partially financed by the EU DG Education Socrates Comenius Programme. The structure of the manual intends to give school teachers a full range of theoretical and practical guidelines to prepare a comprehensive lesson on European cultural heritage. The book sets off with an exploration of the definition of cultural heritage, then reflects on heritage education, Europe and identity. Next the teacher is given some background heritage education methods, followed by an overview of different types of projects. Finally, a selection of 34 heritage education projects from 5 European countries is presented in detail. The handbook can be downloaded from or purchased through the Hereduc website. Further information: www.hereduc.net
Workshops / Seminars for Young Heritage Professionals, Krakow / Kazimiers & the Beskid foothills in Poland, 15 -0 16 July 2005The Europa Nostra Youth Fund sponsored a study programme for 25 young heritage professionals form 14 countries, held in Krakow and the Malapolska region, as part of the summer School programme of the International Cultural Centre. The programme was created jointly by Dr Lester Borley (UK) and Prof. Jacek Purchla (Poland). The group tackled six case studies: the Jewish Quarter, the "Green Environment" in Kazimierz, the Adaptive Use of Post Industrial space, the Folk Museum in Malapolska. the Memorials of War and the Access to World Heritage Churches in the Countryside. A report has been publicised and may be obtained from Dr Lester Borley. Further information: Dr Lester Borley lesterborley@waitrose.com
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