POLICY INTERVENTIONS: LETTERS


 


2004

2003

2000

1999

1998

1997

Appeal to the UN Secretary General to declare two federal conservation areas on the Island of Cyprus

On the occasion of the historic negotiations for the possible re-unification of Cyprus, the leaders of three major conservation organisations (Europa Nostra, WWF and Birdlife International) wrote a letter to Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, with the proposal to designate two federal conservation areas in the Greek and in the Turkish parts of Cyprus. This idea follows earlier such initiatives - known as Peace Parks - implemented by the WWF in conflict zones throughout the world. The proposal seeks to actively involve citizens from both parts of Cyprus in the joint management and sustainable exploitation of the nature reserves’ resources (mainly eco-tourism).

Apostolos Andreas Monastery, Cyprus

Plans proposed by UNOPS for the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery have been lifted following two letters sent by Europa Nostra’s Executive President Otto von der Gablentz to the President of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, which received ample press coverage. The UNOPS project involved restoration works to be carried out on the 19th century Church, which was - according to independent experts - in no need of repair, whereas it did not include much needed maintenance to the 15th century chapel.

Surroundings of El Escorial threatened by urban sprawl, Spain

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of El Escorial and its surroundings which is also part of Spain’s national heritage (Patrimonio Nacional) come under increased pressure, due to uncontrolled urban development in the area. Many local and national conservation organisations have joined forces to preserve the integrity of the historic cultural landscape surrounding the monastery, which has also been recognized to possess great ecological value. In a letter to the Mayor of Madrid and heads of government agencies concerned, Europa Nostra’s Executive President called for the necessary actions to be taken to avoid the further degradation of the surroundings of El Escorial, e.g. by including them in the planned Sierra de la Guadarrama Conservation area.

Intended reform of the Law on Cultural Heritage of the Valencia Region, Spain

The proposed reform of the Cultural Heritage Law of the Generalidad Valenciana has prompted widespread local and regional concern, as it would allow changes to so-called Assets of Cultural Interest (Bienes de Interés Cultural, or BIC - protected by State Law) by Municipal decree. If adopted, this reform could open the way to the destruction of protected monuments in the Region of Valencia. In October, 2003, Mr Alfredo Pérez de Armiñan, President of Hispania Nostra wrote to the Minister of Culture of the Valencia Region, Mr Esteban Pons, and pointed out that the proposed reform is in breach of the Spanish Heritage Law and even of the Spanish Constitution. Europa Nostra’s Executive President has added a European weight to the campaign by writing to the Valencia Region Culture Minister requesting that he would take the necessary precautions to safeguard the Bienes de Interés Cultural in his region.

Open cast gold mine project at Rosia Montana, Romania

Pro Patrimonio (a Romanian member organisation) has solicited Europa Nostra’s support in a campaign it has launched to save the landscape, archaeology and environment of Rosia Montana in Transylvania. A Canadian gold mining company was recently granted a concession for carrying out a vast open cast mining project in the area, which is rich in pre-Roman and Roman archaeology and declared Protected Natural Heritage Zone by the Romanian Government. Because of the low grade of the ore, and the harmful extraction methods with cyanide, huge volumes of earth and rock will be excavated creating an unprecedented environmental strain on the area. Moreover the prospects are that the venture will be uneconomical because of the low grade of the ore. In a letter to the President Mr Ion Iliescu, Europa Nostra’s Executive President, Mr Otto von der Gablentz has called for a lifting of the concession rights and for a government study into sustainable non destructive regional development projects based on eco-tourism, cultural tourism and agriculture.

Tyholmen (Norway), letter sent to the Mayor of Arendal

Following the Europa Nostra Congress in Strasbourg, in June 2003, Europa Nostra’s Council Member and Vice President of the Awards Jury, Mr Thomas Willoch, wrote in the name of Europa Nostra to the Mayor of the Municipality of Arendal in Norway, to express concern over the intended urban development in the city’s historic centre Tyholmen, which had received a Europa Nostra Medal in 1991, for the restoration and adaptation to new use of its wooden architecture.


Preserving the skyline of historic Riga (Latvia), letter sent resulted in partial success

In May, Europa Nostra was asked by its member organisation Latvia Nostra, to add weight to a campaign it had launched to draw the attention of the authorities to the disastrous effects the planned construction of a high-rise building and a multifunctional centre would have on the integrity of Riga's Old Town. Signatures in protest of the planned city development were collected by Latvia Nostra, and Europa Nostra's Executive President sent an appeal to Latvia’s President, Mrs Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to the President of the Parliament, Mrs Ingrida Udre and to the Prime Minister, Mr Einars Repse, asking them to help preserving the skyline of historic Riga. In its reply, the Chancery of the President of Latvia, thanked Europa Nostra for its continuous interest in the heritage situation in Latvia and informed that the State Construction Inspection had been assigned the task to establish whether the intended construction was in breach of Latvian legal norms, and to take the necessary actions if needed. The campaign generated significant press coverage and resulted in the abandonment of the construction of the multifunctional centre. The high rise building will however be constructed.

Pathé Marconi Factory (France) - letter of support sent and acknowledged

At its meeting in Cahors, the Europa Nostra Council agreed to lend its support to the campaign for the safeguarding of the Pathé Marconi Factory in Chatou, near Paris, which is threatened with destruction to make place for planned residential development. Europa Nostra’s Executive President, Mr Otto von der Gablentz, sent a letter of support to Mr Pierre Arrivetz, President of Association Chatou Notre Ville, a French heritage NGO fighting for the preservation of the Pathé Marconi factory. Europa Nostra’s support was welcomed with great enthusiasm as an important “solidarity act” of the European heritage movement.


Proposed legal amendment places Italian publicly owned property of cultural value at risk - letter sent

Europa Nostra's member organisations and partners in Italy voiced their concern over the intended amendment to the law on the sale of Italian cultural assets in public ownership, which aim at reducing the level of control of those sales by the Soprintendenze. In a letter to Mr Giuliano Urbani, the Italian Minister for Culture and the Environment, Europa Nostra’s Executive President, supported these concerns and called for the Italian Government to maintain strict rules of legislative protection of these assets which are often of European significance.

 

For the Protection of the Akamas Peninsula, Cyprus (2000)

At the Europa Nostra Council Meeting in Prague, Mr Constantinos Leventis, Treasurer of Europa Nostra and President of the Leventis Foundation, raised the issue of the future of the Akamas Peninsula situated on the West coast of Cyprus, as the Cyprus Government had announced its intention to grant a hotel developer an area of state owned land on the coast of the Akamas Forest, to the West of the Baths of Aphrodite.
Europa Nostra's Executive President, Mr Cardon de Lichtbuer, has written a letter to the President of Cyprus, Mr Glafkos Clerides, expressing Europa Nostra's concern over the projected tourist development of this unspoilt section of the island's coastline.
President Clerides, in a written reply, has assured Europa Nostra that the Government of Cyprus' main goal for the Akamas Peninsula is its sustainable management. The Council of Ministers has recently handed over a series of interim decisions regarding the thorny "Akamas dispute" to a special committee established to carry out meetings with local communities and other interested parties. They include both concrete actions and legislative measures whose full potential and implications have still to be assessed.

 

For the Protection of the Kiev Archaeological Site, Ukraine (2000)

In February 2000, Mr Kutchma, President of Ukraine, authorised the reconstruction of the 10th century Desjatinna Church, destroyed in 1240 during the Mongol invasion, in the Old city of Kiev. Mrs Natalja Logvyn, an experienced Ukrainian architect wrote to Europa Nostra to express the concern of the local experts about the plans, warning that the reconstruction of the church will forever destroy the site, declared an "Archaeological Protection Zone" by the City Council, in 1979. The experts argue that the decree of the President runs counter to the "ICOMOS Archaeological Heritage Charter". They point out that the site is not only relevant to the history of the old Kiev Empire but that it constitutes an important remnant of Byzantine culture in the eastern part of Europe.
At present proposals are being submitted and the construction of the selected project is due to start in 2001. Protests have so far not been able to counter the plans and Mrs Logvyn and her colleagues are putting great effort into attracting international attention for this cause.

 

For the Protection of Quercy-Blanc Landscapes, France (2000)

Mr Georges Brondel, Europa Nostra Council member representing Vieilles Maisons Françaises, has appealed Europa Nostra to send a letter to three French ministries demanding to deflect a projected high tension line, to spare the Quercy Blanc area in South West France, whose rich heritage is associated with the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
the threatened landscapes and cultural heritage of the Quercy-Blanc region in South-western France, where Electricité de France (EDF) was planning to erect electricity pylons in an attempt to counter frequent electricity shortages during peak needs in the city of Cahors. Several alternatives had been suggested by French environmental organisations, but EDF claimed that all of them were too expensive.

At its meeting in Paphos (Cyprus) on 14 October 2000, the Council decided to write an Executive Presidential letter to the three French Ministries involved.

 

Follow-up to the 1997 Warning Against Decentralisation of Cultural Heritage Protection Administration, Italy (2000)

Europa Nostra has approached a number of influential Italian politicians to make sure that a new governmental structure, proposed in a draft reform, would not, compromise the effective safeguarding of Italy's heritage. The proposals have now been abandoned, at least in their initial form, which would have caused the problem.

 

On the Inappropriateness of Constructing an Incinerator near San Gimignano, Italy (1999)

At the request of Italian Member Organisations, Europa Nostra has in addition put pressure on the Italian government and on the regional authorities in Tuscany to address the question of the inappropriateness of constructing an incinerator near San Gimignano, a mediaeval village in the province of Sienna whose artistic and landscape value is exceptional.

 

On the Consequences of the PRAS (Regional Land Use Plan) for the Bois de la Cambre and the Quartier du Sablon, Brussels, Belgium (1999)

In the framework of the public enquiry about the draft PRAS (Regional Land Use Plan), Europa Nostra approached the Secretary of State responsible for planning, urban renovation and monuments and sites of the Brussels Capital Region in order to draw attention to two important problems. Concerning the Bois de la Cambre, Europa Nostra is urging the maintenance of the "no-development zone" around the periphery of the Bois de la Cambre. Concerning the Quartier du Sablon, Europa Nostra has recommended the maintenance of a fair balance between dwellings and commercial activity in the Quartier du Sablon, and at the heart of the latter the continuance of the existing antiques trade of the Sablon. Europa Nostra has, in effect, considered that these two questions highlight the importance of the safeguarding the detail of the heritage, built as well as natural, of the city of Brussels. Europa Nostra also continues to follow, both directly and via its Belgian member organisations, the debate about the Music City project which has been proposed for the redevelopment of the "Tour & Taxis" complex.

 

For the Protection of the Historic Centre of the City of Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1998)

The historic centre of the city of Belgrade Yugoslavia October 1998 At the request of Serbia Nostra and other heritage NGOs active in Yugoslavia, Europa Nostra has been in contact with the Serbian authorities as well as with the relevant policy-makers of the Municipality of Belgrade to express its concern about the level of protection afforded to the historic city centre of Belgrade. In its intervention Europa Nostra expressed its support and solidarity with the NGOs and local heritage professionals who have been insisting that the historic centre of Belgrade be given the status of "protected area", and that all restoration or new building work be subject to special measures designed to ensure a high degree of conservation and valorisation of the important built and natural heritage in this area.

 

For the Protection of the Bois de la Cambre, Brussels, Belgium (1998)

At the initiative of our Belgian organisation members, Europa Nostra has contacted the Ministry of Planning, Public Works and Communications of the Brussels Capital Region in order to express its concerns over the protection afforded to the Bois de la Cambre. This park, in the centre of the city of Brussels, could be threatened by the new draft Regional Plan (PRAS) because of the proposal to reduce the area en which building is net allowed. In its letter Europa Nostra stressed that the Bois de la Cambre was a very important component of the city of Brussels' heritage. The number of attempts in the past to allow some development in the Bois, far from justifying a relaxation of its protection, surely call for even greater vigilance. Minister Hasquin replied promptly to Europa Nostra with further explanations which he hoped would allay the fears of the heritage NGOs and gave an assurance that the protection of the Bois de la Cambre would net be reduced by the draft Regional Plan. On the contrary, the protection of the Bois would be strengthened by a series of measures giving the Bois the status of "Area of Cultural, Historic, Aesthetic Interest or Beauty" (PICHEE), a special designation aimed at safeguarding and valorising the intrinsic qualities of public open spaces generally.

 

Monuments of Military Architecture in Italy (1998)

Following the meeting of Europa Nostra's Scientific Council at Bassano del Grappa in October 1997, Europa Nostra wrote to the Italian Minister for Cultural Assets and Landscapes, Mr Walter Veltroni, to voice its concern over the state of conservation and preservation of some important monuments of military architecture in Italy which have recently passed into private ownership. Europa Nostra requested the Italian authorities to ensure that future privatisation's of historic monuments of military architecture carry a clause that requires the new owner to conserve and restore them, and that their proposed use is compatible with their historical and architectural importance.

 

The Byzantine Cistern Thessaloniki. Greece (1998)

During the Europa Nostra conference at Thessaloniki in October 1997 the responsible Greek authorities informed us that a thorough feasibility study of the excavations and preservation of the Byzantine cistern in Thessaloniki had just been completed. Since 1991 Europa Nostra has made several interventions to the Greek authorities to encourage them to preserve this monument of European importance. As a result, Europa Nostra has felt it opportune to make a new appeal to the Greek Minister of Culture to make available the necessary funding to ensure the preservation of the Thessaloniki Byzantine Cistern.

 

The Byzantine Church of Ayioi Anargyroi Kastoria. Greece (1998)

In April 1998 Europa Nostra was informed that a team who had begun work on restoring the icons and frescoes of the Byzantine church of Ayioi Anargyroi at Kastoria was in danger of being disbanded, thereby putting the continuation of this important work at risk. At the request of our Greek Vice-President, Mr Costa Carras, a letter was sent to the Greek Minister of Culture urging him not to abandon the project of restoration of this important Byzantine church and also other Byzantine monuments in the town of Kastoria.

 

The Monastery of Lavra, Kiev, Ukraine (1998)

Europa Nostra has been informed that the Lavra Monastery in Kiev is threatened by preparatory work for the reconstruction of the Cathedral] of the Assumption, which was demolished in 1941. The effect of these works has been to cause ground slippage, and several nearby buildings have been damaged as a result. Europa Nostra has written to the Ukrainian authorities, urging them to take adequate measures to protect the monastic complex of Lavra, which is on the World Heritage List. And to earmark funds to this effect. Europa Nostra stressed the impact, which the work of restoration and maintenance of the heritage could have on employment as well as on the development of cultural tourism.

 

The Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija Yugoslavia (1998)

Following an appeal which the heritage NGOs active in Serbia made to all the belligerents in the armed conflict in Kosovo, Europa Nostra sent a plea to the President and the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia inviting them to take note of the dangers of destruction and damage to the rich cultural heritage of Kosovo and Metohija which would be brought about by armed conflict in this region.

In addition Europa Nostra has also been in contact with the Secretary-General of NATO, Mr Javier Solana, making an appeal that, should military intervention by NATO be impossible to avoid, account should be taken of the existence of this ridge heritage and the need to protect it. Indeed, the rich multi-cultural and multi-religious heritage of this area could contribute to the future process of reconciliation between the different ethnic populations living in this region.

 

Better Protection of Wooden Churches in Poland (1997)

(Joint appeal by Europa Nostra,ECOVAST and Förderkreis Alte Kirchen)

An appeal was made to the Polish Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican, the European authorities and to UNESCO, ICOMOS and the World Monuments Fund to call for the general recognition and appreciation by religious and state authorities of wooden churches, which are seriously threatened by neglect, destruction and demolition. The Polish church and state authorities were called upon to implement practical measures for the wooden churches' greater security and maintenance, and to set up, together with the local congregations and institutions for the protection of historic monuments jointly funded bodies to maintain these historic buildings and to find appropriate new uses for them.

 

Better Reconstruction of the Heritage in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997)

The war in Bosnia has caused serious damage to the built heritage of Bosnia-Herzegovina, some of it incidental to the prosecution of the war. The neglect of repairs and maintenance during the war has also led to decay and deterioration of historic buildings net directly affected by war damage. Another cause of damage has occurred by misguided, over-hasty and ill-informed reconstruction by international agencies. Therefore, in this Executive Presidential letter, Europa Nostra suggested to the authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina that they should institute procedures to monitor and control any activities of international agencies, which affect the built heritage. Europa Nostra also asked these agencies to take into account the cultural significance of all buildings and settlements on which they were working, to respect local culture and traditions, and to take advice from the relevant Bosnia-Herzegovina authorities before carrying out any work affecting buildings or settlements of cultural significance.

 

Preservation of the Château de Pontchartrain and of the Gallo-Roman site of Diodorum, France (1997)

Europa Nostra has written to the French authorities urging them to take appropriate measures urgently to halt the heavy infrastructural work and road building in progress in the plain of Jouars-Pontchartrain. These works will lead to the destruction of a jewel of I European civilisation. The ensemble, which is in the process of becoming a listed monument, is formed by the Château de Pontchartrain and the Gallo-roman site of Diodorum nearby is located on the plain of Jouars situated 30 km from Paris. This site has been miraculously saved from urbanisation, and has much potential to be developed appropriately in the long run.

 

Proposed Amendment to South Tyrol's Environmental Laws, Italy (1997)

There has been a proposed amendment of the Provincial Law en territorial co-ordination without major heritage organisations being consulted. The bill would abolish a series of important constraints concerning landscape safeguards, opening ways to remove areas from landscape protection and subject rural areas to exploitation and unchecked construction and real estate speculation. It seemed that although promises were made to consult the most important conservation organisation of South Tyrol, this had rot been done. By way of Executive Presidential letter, the government of South Tyrol was requested to evaluate all possibilities for restoring historic buildings rather than giving approval for new construction and to include clear guidelines for co-ordination of territorial planning in the new law.

 

Warning Against Decentralisation of Cultural Heritage Protection in Italy (1997)

In June 1997 Europa Nostra intervened for the second time in two years with a letter to the Italian authorities in support of the Italian members' campaign for a more careful approach to the division of competence between the State and the Regions with regard to the protection of the cultural heritage. Europa Nostra warned against a fragmentation of the decision process causing inadequate controls at a local level, which would consequently be detrimental to the protection of the heritage. In his reply, Mr Walter Veltroni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and the Environment, stated his intention to do everything possible to keep the co-ordination of the protection of the cultural heritage at a central governmental level.

 

Threat to the Charles I Park in Bucharest, Romania (1997)

The Charles I Park, work of the French landscape architect E. Redont and nearly 100 years old, is under threat. The Romanian Patriarchate has requested the Romanian authorities to authorise the construction of a new cathedral in this park, which would involve the destruction of 4.5 hectares of green space in the heart of Bucharest, which has only three historic parks. Europa Nostra is resolutely opposed to any reduction of urban green space, and therefore requested the authorities and His Beatitude the Patriarch to take immediately all measures ensuring the preservation of the integrity of this park.

 

Preservation of the Historic City of Kiev, Ukraine (1997)

At the beginning of 1997, Europa Nostra learned that there was a proposal to erect a new Hilton Hotel rot far from the World Heritage Site of the famous Kiev-Preachers Lavra. This building would be very tall, in a very prominent position on the escarpment above the river Dniepr overlooking the historic City of Kiev, very close to the Mariinsky Palace and the Ukrainian Parliament Building. Furthermore it appears that the construction of such a massive building could present major structural problems, possibly causing severe movements in the karst limestone ground and banks of the river Dniepr. Europa Nostra has informed UNESCO of this threat, and appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to reconsider this plan which would be detrimental to the landscape and architectural ensemble of Kiev.

Tour and Taxis Transportation Complex, Brussels, Belgium (1997)

This complex, which dates from the beginning of this century, is one of the rarest examples of a multifunctional transportation network, and is important part of the international industrial heritage. Thanks to Europa Nostra's intervention it has been placed on the 1997/98 World Monuments Watch list of 100 most endangered sites. The Executive Presidential letter asked the authorities to consider adapting the group of buildings for new cultural uses, as there is a threat that some of the key buildings would be partially demolished.