EUROPA NOSTRA members formed a strong presence in Belgrade, Serbia, during the latter half of September, holding a full programme of meetings and visits planned to coincide with the events marking the 16th edition of the European Heritage Days.

EUROPA NOSTRA’s Scientific Council met from 15-19 September for their 43rd Annual Meeting in and around Belgrade. The theme, ‘The bastioned fortresses in the age of Vauban’, coincided with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the death of Vauban and brought the members to the Belgrade, Petrovaradin, Bać and Smederevo fortresses. Proceedings of the meeting will be published in the up-coming Scientific Bulletin (#61).

HRH the Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, enthusiastically started her Presidency at EUROPA NOSTRA, opening the meeting with young and committed local heritage NGOs. The President was truly inspired by the positive energy, creativity and dynamism displayed during the presentations of projects aimed at raising awareness about and engaging experts and the genral public in preserving the cultural heritage and through it, some of the social fabric of parts of Serbia and former Yugoslavia where the NGOs are active.

She attended the Management Committee (held at the National Bank of Serbia) and presided over the Council meetings (held at the City Assembly Hall) on 19-20 September. Important themes of reforming Europa Nostra's governance and of upcoming strategies and actions for the next 3 years' period were discussed. At the beginning of the Council Meeting, Executive President Dr Andrea H. Schuler paid tribute to the late Otto von der Gablentz, past Executive President and Honorary President of EUROPA NOSTRA.

The events marking the 2007 European Heritage Days took place in Belgrade on Friday 21 September. During a Ceremony full of chamber and choral music at the Terazije Theatre, speeches by Serbian, Council of Europe, European Commission and EUROPA NOSTRA dignitaries stressed the importance and success of the European Heritage Days, celebrated in 49 countries across Europe during the month of September. The European Heritage Days are a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Union. EUROPA NOSTRA has been acting as Liaison Office since early 2006.

Meetings were interspersed with receptions, cultural visits and guided tours to among others: Kalemegdan - Belgrade Fortress, the Konak of Princess Ljubica with the openinge of the exhibition "Falling in Love with a City" and an excursion to the Roman archaeological site of Viminacium. True highlights was the dinner in honour of EUROPA NOSTRA and its new President, HRH the Infanta Doña Pilár de Borbón at the White Palace, kindly hosted by TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine on the evening of 19 September.

As most EUROPA NOSTRA meeting participants were leaving, Heritage Tour participants began their discovery of Serbia from 22-30 September.

> Speech HRH the Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón at the NGOs meeting

> Tribute to the late Otto von der Gablentz

> Speech by Dr Andrea H. Schuler at the EHD Ceremony

> Programme of events marking the 2007 European Heritage Days

> European Heritage Days website

> European Heritage Days brochure

> European Heritage Days leaflet (with all national events)