Europa Nostra, the Pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is an umbrella network of heritage organisationsand is considered today the voice of Europe ’s organised civil society committed to cultural heritage. The network is composed of 250 member organisations, 210 associate members and 1500 individual members from 53 countries, of which 45 in Europe. The power of the network comes from a shared passion for cultural heritage, and the readiness of our members to invest their time, expertise, connections and often money for the pursuit of our goals ... www.europanostra.org
Europe's Excellence and Creativity celebrated at the 2008 European Heritage Awards Ceremony Durham Cathedral, 12 June 2008
Winners of the 2008 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards were honoured at the annual European Heritage Awards Ceremony, which took place on 12 June 2008 in the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom .
Award winning projects, studies, individuals and groups originate from 15 European countries. The awards were presented by S.A.R. la Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, President of Europa Nostra, and Mr Vladimir Sucha, Director for Culture, Multilingualism and Communication at the European Commission's DG Education and Culture. Dame Liz Forgan, Chair of the UK ’s Heritage Lottery Fund, gave the closing address ‘One Hundred Thousand Brush Strokes’.
While congratulating the laureates, the 3 speakers talked of the need to engage the wider public in the protection of Europe ’s cultural heritage in order to effectively maintain and enhance our built and natural environment. Europe ’s cultural heritage is a most valuable assets contributing to sustainable economic development and cultural tourism, social cohesion and our quality of life.
Liz Forgan said: “In times of yore, it was the case that a fairly small group of people - the owners of Britain ’s great houses, works of art and landscapes - together with scholarly specialists, could be relied upon to look after its heritage. They would provide the finance, the expertise and the political support that was required to maintain the country’s heritage. They did a magnificent job and many still do. But it is no longer enough… There is another reason why broad public support is so vital. All of us know here that money is only a small part of the equation, that it is people that stand - for so much of our heritage - between destruction and a bright future. It is too often one special person, who campaigns tirelessly, fights beyond all reason, grabs hold and never lets go. It is to reward them and their successes that we are here tonight… By having a starting point for heritage that says it belongs to each and every member of society, and it is only they who can save it, brick by brick, tree by tree, brushstroke by brushstroke - whether by doing the physical work, by visiting it to make it a sustainable project or by campaigning for political support from local or national government.”
S.A.R. la Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón said: “Today, Europa Nostra must give priority to reaching the wider public, opening their eyes, inspiring their hearts and engaging them in the important task of defending one of Europe ’s most valuable assets… At the moment when we celebrate “The Best of Europe’s Heritage” we should however not forget that our historic environment - both built and natural - continues to be “an endangered species”. The threats to our historic environment are diverse and numerous: uncontrolled development, bad practices of urban or rural planning, environmental change, neglect and even conflict. Our heritage therefore needs us to join forces and act together as its advocates!”
The six top Prizes recognise outstanding achievements in the CZECH REPUBLIC, GREECE , THE NETHERLANDS, SPAIN and ROMANIA, and include a monetary reward of €10.000. A further 18 Medals were given, as well as 3 Europa Nostra Medals for laureates from countries which have not signed the Culture Programme of the European Commission.
For a full listing and details of the awarded projects, see the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards section of this ENewsletter
Europa Nostra 2008 Annual Congress in NewcastleGateshead, United Kingdom NewcastleGateshead, 11-15 June 2008
Europa Nostra's 2008 Annual Congress took place in NewcastleGateshead in the United Kingdom from 11 to 15 June 2008 . Apart from fruitful meetings of Europa Nostra's governing bodies, the Congress introduced the cities of Newcastle and Gateshead to the Europa Nostra Members: the bridges linking the two cities, among them the renowned and recently reopened High Level Bridge , the new developments on the banks of the River Tyne, and the beauty of the surrounding countryside of Northumberland.
On 12 June, Europa Nostra UK organised a “Celebration of the contribution of heritage to intercultural dialogue” that consisted of presentations and workshops of traditional skills and crafts that were enthusiastically attended. The celebration took place in the Stephenson's Works, the locomotive works built by Robert Stephenson and an icon of Newcastle 's engineering heritage.
On 13 June, engineering heritage was the topic of the Europa Nostra Forum which took place in The Sage Gateshead, the music centre designed by Sir Norman Foster, one of the key elements in the revitalisation of the riverfronts. A most interesting variety of lectures and workshops with lively and fruitful discussions resulted in the NewcastleGateshead Declaration on “Securing the Future of Europe’s Engineering Heritage”. The Proceedings of this Forum will be available in the course of the summer.
Council Membership: New Elections and Departures
At its meeting on 14 June, the Europa Nostra General Assembly elected five new members of the Council:
- Mr José Maria Ballester, representing Fondación Marcelino Botín, Spain
- Mr Thierry de L’Escaille, representing the European Landowners Organisation
- Mrs Anne Kestens, representing Europa Nostra Belgium
- Mr Claus M. Smidt, representing The Danish National Society for the Preservation of Ancient and Historic Buildings
- Mrs Helle-Silvia Solnask, representing the Estonian Heritage Society
The following members are retired from the Council:
- Mr Wynford Evans, United Kingdom
- Mrs Christiane van Jole, Belgium
- Dr Karin Hallas-Murula, Estonia
- Dr Bernard Lösch, Italy
- Dr Jelka Pirkovič, Slovenia
- Dr David Thackray, United Kingdom
- Mr Erik Wassard , Denmark
The General Assembly and the Council thanked the retiring members for their valuable contribution over the past years. Also, Charles-Louis de Merode, who was the Chairman of the Restoration Fund Committee for many years, retired. The General Assembly and the Council conveyed its sincere appreciation fro his important work.
The Europa Nostra Council approved membership of the following organisations:
New Member Organisations
- Verein Denkmalpflege in Oberösterreich, Austria
- Rheinischer Verein für Denkmalpflege, Germany
- Den Gamle By Open Air Museum, Denmark
- Gisselfeld Kloster, Denmark
- Center of Traditional and Artistic Crafts, Slovenia
- Fundación Marcelino Botín, Spain
New Associate Organisations
- Riddarhus, Finland
- Lunds University, Institute of Architecture, Sweden
- The Chamber of Architects of Turkey-Ankara Branch, Turkey
New Corporate Members
- Advokatfirmaet Hjulmand & Kaptain, Denmark
- Cordares Holding NV, The Netherlands
Future Congresses
The Europa Nostra 2009 Annual Congress will take place in Taormina on Sicily, Italy, from 3-7 June 2009 (dates t.b.c.). It will be organised in cooperation with Italia Nostra and the Distretto Culturale Taormina Etna, Associate Member of Europa Nostra since 2007. The European Heritage Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 6 June in the Teatro Antico of Taormina, in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic (t.b.c.).
In Newcastle, the decision was taken to hold the Europa Nostra 2010 Annual Congress in Istanbul, to coincide with the celebration of Istanbul as one of the three European Capitals of Culture.
further information
NewcastleGateshead Congress website
Europa Nostra about to sign Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission
uropa Nostra is one of 37 organisations selected to receive support from the European Commissions Culture programme. Such support will take the form of a multi-annual operating grant 2008-2010 amounting to nearly € 70,000 in 2008. The European Commission thus contributes to the financing of the operational expenditure committed by organisations active at European level in the field of culture for European activities carried out according to an agreed work programme. Organisations wishing to establish a long-term cooperation relationship with the Executive Agency were invited at the end of 2007 to submit an application for a framework partnership agreement. This agreement formalises a partnership relationship between the Executive Agency and the partner for 3 years, to enable the selected organisation to achieve its long-term objectives. Europa Nostra’s application was selected on the basis of its quality and its pertinence to the objectives of the culture programme.
EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards
Meeting of Nordic and Baltic Members of the Europa Nostra Council Lundby, Denmark, 3 May 2008
On 3 May, Europa Nostra Council Members from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, also representing the Europa Nostra Country Representations in the respective countries, met in Lundby in Denmark, upon invitation of Europa Nostra's Vice-President Catharina Collet, to inform each other on recent developments in their activities and to discuss common concerns. The protection of beaches and coastal areas was discussed and it was decided to jointly protest against a new building scheme at Bryghusgrunden in the historic centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. This protest was later discussed at the Europa Nostra Council meeting in Newcastle upon Tyne, and it was decided to send a letter signed by Europa Nostra's Executive President, Dr Andrea H. Schuler (see below).
FEDECRAIL 2008 Annual Congress Salzburg, 18-21 April 2008
From 18-21 April 2008, Europa Nostra was present at the Annual Congress of the European Federation of Museum & Tourist Railways (FEDECRAIL) in Salzburg , Austria . For an audience of 140 representatives of Museum and Tourist Railways from all over Europe, Europa Nostra presented its aims and policies and the interaction between Europa Nostra and its recent (2006) Member Organisation FEDECRAIL, a pan-European umbrella organisation itself, focussing on Railway/Industrial Heritage. Europa Nostra's presentation in Salzburg was perceived as very informative and references to railway-related matter (e.g. past Europa Nostra Awards for restoration of railway station, bridges etc.) drew positive response.
At the Congress it became clear that FEDECRAIL welcomes current signals of increasing interest within Europa Nostra for Industrial Heritage: Europa Nostra's 2008 Annual Congress in NewcastleGateshead in June with its Forum on Engineering Heritage (in which FEDECRAIL's President David Morgan is one of the speakers) is seen as a great step forward, as is the mentioning of the setting up of a Task Force on Industrial Heritage in Europa Nostra's Strategic Plan 2008-2010.
Europa Nostra was represented by its Individual Member Rienko Wilton (The Netherlands).
more information
FEDECRAIL website
50th Anniversary Celebrations of Vieilles Maisons Françaises UNESCO, Paris, 16-17 June 2008
Europa Nostra was represented at its founding Member Organisation’s, Vielles Maisons Françaises (VMF), 50th Anniversary celebrations. To commemorate this occasion an International Conference on "Heritage and Sustainable Development: A Question of Education?" was organised in partnership with UNESCO. In the context of sustainable development, heritage aims to transmit its resources, often threatened, to future generations. The conference recalled that heritage is a pillar of sustainable development, as it is the source of a respectful economic development and creator of the social link. The conference proposed a number of concrete solutions for citizens and heritage professionals alike for awareness-raising and training on linking heritage to sustainable development. The Conference was followed by a reception at the Palais de Chaillot.
The day before, on 16 June, Europa Nostra’s Vice-Presidents, Denis de Kergorlay (France) and the Duque de San Carlos (Spain) spoke during the VMF’s General Assembly on the synergies between Europa Nostra and the VMF.
further information
Vielles Maisons Françaises website
Europa Nostra contributes to Consultation on Reduced Rates of VAT
Europa Nostra and a number of its member and partner organisations (English Heritage, European Landowners Organisation, European Maritime Heritage, Heritage Link and UEHHA) responded to the online consultation launched by the EC to ascertain the views of the public and businesses on the review of the existing legislation on VAT reduced rates.
Europa Nostra’s principal message in its response was the request of a permanent provision for a reduced rate of VAT for the repair, restoration and maintenance of cultural heritage and historical monuments beyond 2010.
In 1999 the European Council adopted Directive 1999/85/EC concerning VAT on labour-intensive services, which allowed the application of a reduced VAT rate to certain specified labour-intensive services (such as the renovation and repair of private dwellings), but only for an experimental period of three years so as to test its impact in terms of job creation and in combating the 'black' economy. This temporary provision was prolonged several times and is now valid until the end of 2010. Only fourteen EU Member States have opted to apply a reduced rate of VAT to the repair and renovation of private dwellings (Council Decision 2006/774/EC of 7 November 2006), namely Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom (Isle of Man only). Most of these Member States made the reduction conditional upon the age of the dwellings or restricted the types of works eligible.
The main question now is whether this temporary provision should be made wholly or partially permanent or should be abolished after a long period of continuous extension. Another important question that arises is whether the possibility for Member States to apply reduced rates should be extended to similar services not included in the present provision. The consultation document specifically suggests that new sectors to be added to the future ANNEX III of the VAT Directive could include the repair, restoration and maintenance of cultural heritage and historical monuments.
Europa Nostra now calls on its member organisations to make sure that every effort is made in their countries to raise awareness of policy- and decision-makers on the importance of adopting such a provision.
further information
Europa Nostra's response
European Commission website
European Commission launches Calls for Proposals for Culture (2007-2013) programme
The deadlines for submission of applications are scheduled as follows:
Strand 1 - Cooperation projects: 1 October
Strand 2 - Support to organisations active at a European level in the field of culture: 1 November
further information
European Commission website
The European Commission has also launched the Programme Guide to the Culture (2007-2013) programme. The Guide, focusing on most parts of the Culture Programme, is legally binding and contains all the essential conditions to apply for funding. It introduces a fixed Calendar until 2013 and provides cultural operators with the whole set of funding opportunities under this Programme until 2013.
more information and download of the Programme Guide
European Commission website
EC Conference “Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe : Building Europe Together” - Launch of Financial Assistance for Civil Society under Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) Brussels, 17-18 April 2008
As a way of promoting the development of a strong civil society in Southeast Europe, and in support of the objectives of the new civil society development under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA), the Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement hosted the conference 'Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe: Building Europe Together' in Brussels on 17-18 April. The conference offered civil society organisations (CSOs) from the EU and enlargement countries a platform for networking, exchanging best practices and building partnerships, and to disseminate information among civil society actors about financial support to civil society development under iPA and other EU programmes.
This event gathered together some 600 participants, including Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik, and Mr George Soros, founder of the Open Society Institute, as well as many high-level representatives of civil society organisations and the European institutions. Europa Nostra was represented by four of its member organisations from the region through Zeljka Miklosevic (The Best in Heritage, Croatia), Anica Milkovic (Europa Nostra Serbia), Marija Nikolic (Cultural Homeland Association 'Napradak' Gornja Lastva, Montenegro) and Maridea Petrova (Centre for Sustainable Values Lychidnos”, FYRI), as well as by Eléonore de Merode, European Policy Officer at the Europa Nostra International Secretariat.
On this occasion the Commission announced the creation of a new financing facility to support civil society development under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), the EU-funded programme bringing together the different types of financial assistance to the candidate and potential candidate countries to help them prepare for eventual EU membership. The IPA Civil Society Facility will enhance the capacity of civil society organisations for civic mobilisation, advocacy, project development and management. Financial support to civil society will increase significantly in the period 2008-2010, amounting to approximately € 130 million for the Western Balkans and Turkey . The new facility will support three types of civil society development projects:
Local civil society initiatives and capacity-building, especially reinforcing the role of civil society;
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Partnerships and networks between civil society organisations in the EU and the enlargement countries; and
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Programmes to bring journalists, young politicians, trade union leaders and teachers into contact with the EU institutions (People to People – P2P – programme).
The conference also recommended the establishment of a permanent forum for structured dialogue between the European Commission and CSOs in enlargement countries; as well as the creation of a virtual platform (in the form of a website) to increase dialogue, exchange of good practices, search for partners and concrete project development.
further information
Conference website
Speech Commissioner Rehn
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
European Culture Networks meet with Slovak Culture NGOs Bratislava, 13 May 2008
Europa Nostra was invited to present its activities at a seminar organised by the Culture Contact Point in Bratislava, Slovakia , on 13 May. The intention of the seminar was to present to Slovak organisations in the wide cultural field the work of European Culture NGOs and the benefits of being a member of a European networks and umbrella organisation. The seminar was the first meeting of this kind in Slovakia and proved very valuable. Slovak organisations in the field of culture, like many organisation in Central and East European Countries, often find it difficult to find the right information on European cultural cooperation. This seminar brought the information to Slovakia .
Besides Europa Nostra, representatives of Culture Action Europe, Trans Europe Halls, the International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM) and the International Photography Research Network (IPRN) presented the activities of their organisations.
Europa Nostra was represented by Sander van der Ven, Heritage Awards Coordinator at the International Secretariat.
more information
Sander van der Ven, Heritage Awards, svdv [a] europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 59
European Conference “New Paradigms, new Models - Culture in the EU External Relations” Ljubljana, 13-14 May 2008
The“New Paradigms, new Models – Culture in the EU External Relations” conference, organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the European Commission, was based on the European Agenda for Culture endorsed by the Culture Ministers of the EU Member States in November 2007. Europa Nostra was represented at this event by its Council Member, Spela Spanzel (Slovenia).
The most important conclusion was the priority of dialogue between public authorities and civil society in policy and tool development in Member States and third countries and between them. The recommendations of the conference were presented at the Education, Youth and Culture Council on 21 May and at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 May. The Slovenian Presidency Declaration “New Paradigms, new Models - Culture in the EU External Relations” was subsequently presented at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Culture and at the European Council.
The conference served as an occasion to launch the Ljubljana Process - a programme for joint action between the Council of Europe and the European Commission for funding heritage rehabilitation in South-East Europe . Beneficiary authorities have selected 26 “consolidated projects” as part of the Ljubljana Process among the 186 emblematic monuments and sites, whose rehabilitation is intended to contribute to economic revival and long-term local growth. The Ljubljana Process will also encompass a series of concrete actions in the period 2008-10, including a broad awareness-raising and information campaign on the economic value of heritage and its role in sustainable local development, training of professionals and support to policy development.
further information
Conference website
EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards
2009 Call for Entries published
Europa Nostra and the European Commission has published the Call for Entries for the 2009 edition of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards. Dossiers can be sent in four categories:
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Category 1 - Conservation;
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Category 2 - Research;
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Category 3 - Dedicated Service by Individuals or Organisations;
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Category 4 - Education, Training and Awareness Raising.
The deadline for submitting entry dossiers is 1 October 2008.
Information on the 2009 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, entry forms and entry requirements are available on www.europanostra.org/awards/2009.html.
further information
Sander van der Ven, Heritage Awards, awards [a] europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 59
Winners of the 2008 Competition
On 8 May 2008, the European Commission and Europa Nostra announced the winners of the 2008 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards. The six Prize winners are outstanding projects in the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Romania. The prizes serve as recognition of exceptional conservation, research and education efforts and are each worth € 10 000. They will be presented at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony on 12 June 2008 in Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
The European Heritage Awards were jointly launched in 2002 by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, in the framework of the Commission’s Culture Programme, to celebrate outstanding initiatives among the many facets of Europe's cultural heritage in categories ranging from the restoration of buildings and their adaptation to new uses, to urban and rural landscape rehabilitation, archaeological site interpretations, and care for art collections. Also awarded are prizes for research and, for the first time in 2008, education projects related to cultural heritage, and dedicated service to heritage conservation by individuals or organisations.
This Awards Scheme aims to promote high standards and high-quality skills in conservation practice, and to stimulate the trans-frontier exchanges in the area of heritage. By spreading the 'Power of Example', the Prize also aims to encourage further efforts and projects related to heritage throughout Europe.
This year, a total of 109 applications and nominations from 29 countries were received in the various categories and assessed in situ by independent experts. The most outstanding of these were selected by the Heritage Awards Jury in a series of meetings which took place over the past months.
Six Prizes have been awarded, in the following categories:
Category 1 - Conservation:
The conservation of the Southern façade of Horní Hrad (Upper Castle) of the Český Krumlov State Castle, Czech Republic: Awarded for establishing new standards in the Czech monument care and appreciated as an excellent example of a respectful conservation.
The conservation of the archaeological site of Skarkos on the Island of Ios in Greece: Awarded for the outstanding quality of conservation work and above all the minimal and extremely sensitive character of the interventions, having no detrimental impact on a unique landscape.
The restoration and adaptive re-use of the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Honoured as an exemplary approach to the restoration of, and finding new uses for, an iconic building of European and world importance.
Category 2 - Research:
The Inventory of the Fortified Military Architecture in Spain by the Asociación Española de Amigos de los Castillos, Spain: Appreciated as an excellent example of raising awareness of Spain 's military heritage that is not only important to Spain, but highly significant on a European level as well.
Category 3 - Dedicated service:
Stichting Stadsherstel Hoorn, the Netherlands: A very successful example of civil society's involvement in safeguarding Europe's historic city centres and in highlighting the importance of volunteers.
Category 4 - Education, training and awareness-raising:
The International Built Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Bánffy Castle in Bonţida, Romania: Highly valued for its double approach: training for conservation, and conservation through training. It is an excellent example of cross border exchange of knowledge and a worthy winner of this award in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
In addition to the six Prizes, twenty-one 2nd prize Medals were awarded to the following achievements:
category 1 - Conservation
- The conservation and redevelopment of the Tour & Taxis Site in Brussels, BELGIUM
- The restoration of the Tapiola Swimming Pool in Espoo, FINLAND
- The restoration of the Grande Forge in Buffon, FRANCE
- The restoration of the church of Saint Julien l'Hospitalier-Saint Blaise in Longsols, FRANCE
- The restoration, reconstruction and adaptation of the Max Liebermann Villa and Garden in Berlin-Wannsee, GERMANY
- The conservation and restoration of the Archaeological Site of Galerius' Palace in Thessaloniki, GREECE
- The conservation of the Mediaeval Bridge over the Río Truchas at Pobleta de San Miguel, SPAIN
- The restoration of the choir of the Church of San Nicolás de Bari in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, SPAIN
- The restoration of the building and collections of the Museo Cerralbo in Madrid, SPAIN
- The conservation of The Grange in Ramsgate, UNITED KINGDOM
category 2 - Research
- The Somlóvár Park Conservation Plan by Gábor Alföldy, HUNGARY
- Do Palácio de Belèm by the Museum of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic , PORTUGAL
category 3 - Dedicated Service
- Emil van Brederode, THE NETHERLANDS
- Sherban G. Cantacuzino CBE FSA D.Univ (York) MA (Cantab) FRIBA, ROMANIA
category 4 - Education, Training and Awareness Raising
- Classes d'éveil au Patrimoine et à ses métiers , BELGIUM
- The Jugendbauhütten of the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz e.V., GERMANY
- The Schatten van Amsterdam television series, THE NETHERLANDS
- The International Heritage Photographic Experience (IHPE)
Europa Nostra presented three Europa Nostra Awards to three remarkable projects in countries that are not eligible for an EU Prize:
category 1 - Conservation
- The restoration, reconstruction and re-use of Kaliningrad Cathedral, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
- The Archaeological Site of Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, SWITZERLAND
category 3 - Dedicated Service
- Valéria Suruceanu, MOLDOVA
more information
Sander van der Ven, Heritage Awards, awards [a] europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 59
Europa Nostra website
European Commission - Culture Programme website
Alerted by the International Panorama Council; Europa Nostra has been closely monitoring the threat to one of the world’s rarest classical panoramas, the “Battle of Bergisel” (1895) in Innsbruck , Austria . Both examples belong to a unique category of panoramas in which the original combination of painting, foreground, building and daylight illumination has been preserved intact. New developments planned by the city authorities would imply the demolition of the panorama rotunda and the relocation of the painting to a newly erected museum building in Bergisel. The local citizens’ initiative “For Our Panorama” and the IPC had appealed to the city authorities to ask them to take the necessary measures to ensure the preservation of the painting and the rotunda as a whole. Following completion of the expert study, a colloquium was held on 16 June with a number of experts and representatives of the government of the Land of Tyrol (Bundesdenkmalamt) during which the results of the study were discussed. No decision on the possible relocation of the Panorama has yet been taken.
Please support the local initiative to safeguard the unity of the panorama and painting by signing the petition on www.innsbruck-panorama.eu.
CYPRUS Fortifications of Famagusta
After the unique joint public statement at the Representation of the European Commission in France on Friday 4 April by the highest representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities of the city of Famagusta (see ENewsletter April 2008), a follow up meeting was organised by Europa Nostra's Scientific Council.
The Scietific Council's working group for Cyprus Cultural Heritage had its first meeting in Nicosia and Famagusta in Cyprus from 17 to 26 of June 2008. The delegation composed by Naciye Doratli, Nanyia Savvidou and chaired by Prof. Gianni Perbellini met the mayors of both Famagusta municipalities, the directors of both departments of antiquities, the representative in Cyprus of the Task Force Turkish Cypriot Community of the European Commission, the Programme Manager of the UN Development Programme, the President of the Cypriot ICOMOS, the Academic Dean of Architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean University, the Head of the Nicosia Master Plan Project Team and the mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. The delegation had thus the opportunity to stress and discuss the problems related to the heritage in the bilateral joint Committee for Culture at the UN Peace Keeping force in Cyprus .
The conversations took place in a friendly and clear climate in which the delegation had the opportunity to highlight its political and its technical commitment for an effective collaboration.
The satisfaction and the proposal of collaboration by the organisation and by all the institutions involved was unanimous, pointing out also the active and the constructive role that the Europa Nostra working group could carry out in cohesion and participation as a linkage between Cultural Organisations, Institutions and Associations.
further information
Prof. Gianni Perbellini, perbellini [a] hotmail.com
DENMARK Bryghusgrunden, Copenhagen
In support of the protests of Europa Nostra Denmark and a number of Danish heritage organisations, Europa Nostra’s Executive President wrote to the Danish Prime Minister at the end of June to express its total objection to the projected construction of a massive and huge residence, designed by the renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas for Realdania. Such a project would seriously disfigure the visual perspective along the Frederiksholms Kanal and Slotsholmen, on of the most important and sensitive historic areas of Copenhagen . Europa Nostra underlined that any decision by the Copenhagen City Council to proceed with the Realdania domicile would be in serious breach of a number of regulations, such as the maximal height of buildings which had been limited to 20.5 metres in this area. In its letter, Europa Nostra therefore urged the Prime Minister and the City Council to prevent the construction permit from being granted and to search for an alternative location for the proposed Realdania building.
FRANCE Fortifications of Belfort: new Developments
On 15 May the Administrative Court of Besançon annulled the lease granted in 2006 by the City of Belfort to the local Moslem Committee allowing the construction of a 1500 m2 mosque within the historic area surrounding the fortifications of Belford. These fortifications, built in 1687-1695 by Vauban and completed in 1825-1832 by General Haxo, figure on the list of State-protected monuments since 1923. In its verdict, the Court declared that the city council was inadequately informed about the conditions in which the lease for this municipal territory had been fixed. In the meantime, the mosque has already been constructed and its opening is foreseen for the month of September.
Alerted to this case of heritage at risk by the local heritage association “Belfort Patrimoine” and by its French member organisations, Europa Nostra had lent its support to the campaign for preserving the integrity of Vauban’s fortifications, at the time when preparations are being made for the nomination of a network of Vauban’s fortifications to the World Heritage List. An article published in the opinion pages of “Le Figaro” by Europa Nostra ’s Vice-President, Denis de Kergorlay (November 2006) had particularly caused lots of attention in the French public opinion. Europa Nostra will continue to follow with much interest any further developments concerning this case of heritage at risk.
further information
Association “Belfort Patrimoine”
KOSOVO Europa Nostra hosts 3rd Meeting of the European Network “Solidarity with Cultural Heritage in Kosovo” The Hague, 5 May 2008
The European network “Solidarity with Cultural Heritage in Kosovo” aims to contribute to the rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites affected by war-related actions and to promote intercultural dialogue and reconciliation my means of cultural heritage. The 3 rd meeting of this network took place on 5 May 2008 in The Hague and was hosted by Europa Nostra which figures among the founding members of this network. The following NGOs were represented at this meeting: Cultural Heritage without Borders (Andreas Adal, Dick Sandberg, Sali Shoshaj), Europa Nostra (Denis de Kergorlay, Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic , Eleonore de Merode), Europa Nostra Serbia (Filip Pavlovic), InterSOS (Magda Bellu) and Patrimoine sans Frontières (Béatrice de Durfort, Alexandrine de Mun). The meeting was also attended by two representatives of the international organisations active in Kosovo, namely Andrea Battista (International Civilian Office/ EU Special Representative Preparation Team based in Pristina) and Arnaud Appriou (DG ELARG, Kosovo desk, European Commission based in Brussels ).
Amongst the subjects discussed were the recent developments in Kosovo and their impact on cultural heritage; the development of a possible EC funded project and the synergies which could be promoted between the members of the network. The participants noted with satisfaction that the importance given to cultural heritage was becoming a higher priority of the Kosovo government. The representative of the European Commission mentioned that the EU decided to focus on the use of cultural heritage for reconciliation purposes as well as for economic development purposes. To this end, projects will be encouraged and funded in the fields of (i) capacity-building of the public institutions and civil society, (ii) education and (iii) sustainable tourism. The need for mapping the cultural heritage sector in Kosovo was also highlighted. Europa Nostra underlined the particular need for confidence-building in the region through cultural heritage.
At the end of the meeting, the organisations present agreed to register the European Network “Solidarity with Cultural Heritage in Kosovo”, as a non-profit and non-governmental organisation according to Swedish law, and having a legal seat in Sweden, the country where the coordinating organisation, Cultural Heritage without Borders, is based.
further information
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Europa Nostra Secretary General, sqm [a] europanostra.org
NETHERLANDS Panorama Mesdag, The Hague
The expert report of CRUX Engineering and Van Rossum Raadgevend Ingenieurs has confirmed that the roof construction of Panorama Mesdag (1881) has suffered significant damage through the construction of an underground parking garage in its immediate vicinity. The impact of the construction works on Panorama Mesdag had been completely miscalculated. It will now be necessary to take additional measures to secure the historic building and prevent further damage.
Works had temporarily been halted due to the subsidence of the foundations of the Panorama rotunda. On 19 March, Europa Nostra had written to the Mayor of The Hague, the Minister of Culture and the Director of the Rijksdienst voor Archeologie, Cultuurlandschap en Monumenten, to express its concern that no adequate impact assessment had been made and to request that adequate measures be taken to protect the building. On 24 June, Europa Nostra received a reply from the Municipality of The Hague ensuring that all construction work adjacent to the Panorama would in future be carried out in a proper way.
further information
Panorama Mesdag website
SPAIN Numancia, Castilla y León
Europa Nostra has been alerted to the campaign waged by its member organisation, Hispania Nostra to protect the Roman archaeological site of Numancia from plans promoted by the regional development to develop new industrial zones at Soria II and at El Cabezo, which is adjacent to the site of Numantia and the Roman encampment and will also affect part of the Romanesque site of Los Arcos de San Juan del Duero. Numancia is especially renowned as the site of resistance against Roman conquest until the city was finally taken by the consul Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus after a long and brutal siege in 134 BC.
The proposed industrial project totally violates the plan for the urbanization of Sori which was approved in 2006 and which limits the industrialization to the area of Valcorba for the next 30 years. The plan has also met widespread opposition from the Instituto de España, the Real Academia de Historia, the real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, the Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology, ICOMOS Spain and a number of universities. Europa Nostra intends to write to the authorities concerned in order to support these organisations in their campaign.
UNITED KINDGDOM Europa Nostra opposes Plans for Wind Farm in the Lake District National Park
In support of a campaign waged by its British members, Europa Nostra’s Executive President wrote to South Lakeland District Council on 30 April to request the protection of the landscape by refusing the planning application for Armistead Windfarm in the proposed setting. The site for Armistead Wind Farm is within an area classified as a Landscape of County Importance. It is located less than 6 km from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, an area designated for protection at the national level; and within 10 km of the Lake District National Park which is proposed for nomination to the World Heritage List. Serious concerns have emerged about the visual impact on these landscapes.
UNITED KINGDOM English Heritage to launch “Heritage at Risk” Initiative London , 9 July 2008
The launching of this new initiative to identify and rescue the nation’s most threatened historic treasures will make England the only country in Europe to have a comprehensive knowledge of the state of its protected heritage and the analysis to save this precious and finite resource for the future. Europa Nostra will be represented at this event by its Vice-President, John Sell.
The Heritage At Risk initiative is based on the success of English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk Register. Published annually since 1998, this Register has transformed the approach taken by English Heritage itself, the other conservation bodies, local authorities and owners to saving Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings. The new Heritage At Risk Register aims to extend this winning formula to Grade II buildings, scheduled monuments, archaeology, historic landscapes, parks and gardens, places of worship, conservation areas, battlefields and even designated maritime wrecks, in fact any and every bit of England’s protected heritage which is deemed to be at risk of loss through decay or damage.
further information
English Heritage website
more information on Heritage at Risk issues
Eléonore de Merode, Heritage at Risk, policy [a] europanostra.org
Investing in Heritage - A Guide to Successful Urban Regeneration
There has historically been a lack of evidence and good practice guidance to convince many cities and stakeholders of the benefits of heritage led regeneration and to show how this can be delivered and achieved. The INHERIT project, led by the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions in partnership with the cities of Belfast, Newcastle upon Tyne, Göteborg, Verona, Gdansk and Ubeda fills this gap.
The INHERIT report explores the value of heritage, looks at different approaches to heritage led regeneration and identifies the social and economic benefits that can be achieved. It endeavours to understand the underlying processes involved in investing in heritage and to identify the key ingredients leading to success. The key success factors identified are based on 19 detailed case studies, supplementary examples of good practice from across Europe , and an evaluation of EU regional policy in the field of cultural heritage.
The guidance, while aimed at helping local and regional authorities to realise the full potential of heritage as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of their towns and cities, will have relevance to everyone working in the field of Cultural Heritage.
INHERIT is an interregional project partly funded by INTERREG 3C.
If you wish to order a copy of the report, there is an order form on the INHERIT website, which you can download - www.inheritproject.net – the form can then be sent by fax or post to EAHTR.
© Europa Nostra 2008
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