2024 Winners celebrate their European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards across Europe
Between May and December, 15 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 hosted special events in their towns and cities to celebrate their outstanding achievements at local and national levels.
We invite you to embark on a journey across Europe and get a glimpse of the wonderful ceremonies organised by these proud winners of our Awards: Teryan Cultural Center – Empowering Armenian Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia; NewsEye: A Digital Investigator for Historical Newspapers, Austria/Finland/France/Germany; The Square Kilometre, Ghent, Belgium; Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, Croatia; Preserving the Community Halls for Local Civil Society Activities, Finland; Fortified Castles of Alsace Association, France; Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Akhieli, Georgia; Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, Ireland; International Festival of Classical Theatre for Youth, Syracuse, Italy; Foundation for the Conservation of the Historical Estate Ockenburgh, The Hague, The Netherlands; Serfenta Crafts Revitalisation Model, Cieszyn, Poland; Saxon Church in Alma Vii, Romania; St. Michael’s Church, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Snow Wells, Sierra Espuña, Spain; and Gideon Tapestries, Hardwick Hall, United Kingdom.
May
International Festival of Classical Theatre for Youth, Syracuse, Italy
On 30 May, a ceremony was held at the Greek Theatre in Palazzolo Acreide to celebrate the International Festival of Classical Theatre for Youth, Syracuse, ITALY.
Many students who participated in the festival were present, alongside distinguished guests. Cristina Loglio, Vice-President of Europa Nostra, delivered a speech emphasising the festival’s significance in preserving and promoting culture. This commitment has been central to the festival’s mission since its founding 32 years ago.
Throughout the event, speakers highlighted the festival’s role in keeping classical theatre alive and fostering a new generation of artists and thinkers. The Award was symbolically dedicated to the 60,000 students and pupils who have graced the stage over the past 32 years, underscoring the festival’s enduring impact on youth and cultural heritage.
August
Teryan Cultural Center – Empowering Armenian Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia
On 10 August, at Victory Park in Yerevan, Armenia, a ceremony celebrated the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2024 for the Teryan Cultural Center.
This event was the pinnacle of the sixth annual TARAZfest, a vibrant festival honouring Armenia’s cultural heritage. Organised with support from Armenia’s Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Economy, the festival attracted over 2,000 attendees, including media, cultural experts, and heritage professionals.
Representing Europa Nostra, Council Member Gaianè Casnati commended the Teryan Cultural Center as “a beacon of hope,” emphasising its role in heritage preservation and the healing power of art.
“This Award strengthens our dedication to empowering individuals affected by conflict through the arts,” stated Lilit Melikyan, Founder of the Center.
St. Michael’s Church, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
On 17 August, over 650 people gathered for a special ceremony to celebrate the restoration of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca.
In his opening speech, Bishop Áron Márton highlighted the symbolic and inspiring value of the Award “as a tribute from all of us and from all of Europe to St. Michael’s Church.”
Representing Europa Nostra were Board Member Graham Bell and Awards’ Jury member Eugen Vaida, who praised the project and the experts who made it a reality. “This project is about sharing universal and timeless values that transcend borders, cultures, generations, and eras,” emphasised Graham Bell.
Archdeacon Attila László underlined the impact of this recognition on the local community, while Deputy Mayor Emese Oláh acknowledged the persistence of the professionals and faith of the Church. The restoration team, including engineers Dorottya Makkai and Ádám Maksay, presented the project to the public.
The ceremony concluded with a moving performance by the Kodály Zoltán Children’s and Youth Choir, followed by the unveiling Award bronze plaque proudly displayed at the church’s entrance.
Fortified Castles of Alsace Association, France
On 30 August, the Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace Headquarters in Strasbourg hosted the ceremony to honour the Fortified Castles of Alsace Association. More than 30 people, including representatives from cultural associations and local authorities, attended the event.
The ceremony opened with a speech from Frédéric Bierry, President of the European Collectivity of Alsace, followed by Guillaume D’andlau, former President of the Association.
Europa Nostra was represented by its Vice-President, Cristina Loglio, who congratulated the Association for its achievements and ability to reshape the image of the Alsace region. She stressed how their attention towards cultural heritage pivoted a wider transformation and succeeded in improving the visibility of a unique cultural landscape. Their sensitivity to the community’s needs, brought a renewed sense of local pride and ownership.
Laurence Rasseneur, President of the Association, concluded the event with a speech.
September
Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower, Akhieli, Georgia
The ceremony for the project Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower was a two-part celebration, reflecting the challenging access to the Tsiskarauli Tower, located in the mountainous Khevsureti region.
On 4 September, project partners from the United Kingdom, France, and Poland, joined by the project’s team, volunteers, heritage specialists, and local community members, gathered to celebrate the rehabilitation of the Tower and its new interpretation space. Europa Nostra was represented by its Executive Vice-President, Guy Clausse, who unveiled the Award bronze plaque with the local volunteers.
The celebrations continued on 6 September at the President’s Palace in Tbilisi. More than 100 people, mostly professionals from the heritage and diplomatic sectors, attended the event.
The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili opened the event, stressing the importance of preserving cultural heritage as part of Georgia’s European future.
Guy Clausse praised the project’s European dimension and noted its success in promoting a spirit of volunteering and community involvement in heritage preservation.
Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Georgia, expressed hope that Georgia’s heritage would one day become part of the European Union’s cultural tapestry.
Serfenta Crafts Revitalisation Model, Cieszyn, Poland
More than 100 people, mostly professionals from the culture and heritage sectors, participated in the local award ceremony for the Serfenta Crafts Revitalisation Model. The festive event took place on 6 September at the Session Hall of the Cieszyn Town Hall.
Prof. Jacek Purchla, Vice-President of Europa Nostra and Chair of the Awards’ Jury, praised the project, emphasising the reasons for its selection among the 26 winners. The Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Krakow was represented by Katarzyna Jagodzińska.
Regional and local authorities, cultural institutions, universities, entrepreneurs, and long-time supporters of the Serfenta Association joined the celebration.
The event culminated in the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque at Serfenta’s headquarters, followed by the “Serfenta Festival”, an evening of musical celebrations.
Foundation for the Conservation of the Historical Estate Ockenburgh, The Hague, The Netherlands
On 15 September, on the Open Monument Day, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Historical Estate Ockenburgh in The Hague celebrated their ceremony in situ. The event’s central figures were the volunteers, representing more than 100 regular contributors to the estate’s preservation.
Distinguished guests included Klasja van de Ridder, Head of the European Commission Representation in the Netherlands; Saskia Bruines, Alderman for Culture in The Hague; and Meindert Stolk, representative of Zuid-Holland province. The representatives highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in preserving heritage. They emphasised how partnerships between private individuals, businesses, and government were essential to the restoration and ongoing maintenance of Villa Ockenburgh.
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra, praised the volunteers for their pride, passion, and commitment. She noted their dedication as truly inspirational, demonstrating what a community can achieve when united by a shared purpose.
Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, Ireland
The Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme was celebrated on 19 September at a special ceremony at the Ploughing Championships in Laois. One of Europe’s largest outdoor events, it features an agricultural show and a ploughing contest.
The ceremony, hosted at the tent of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, was attended by notable political figures, including Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Services, and Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Minister @McConalogue and Virginia Teehan of @HeritageHubIRE met Commissioner @McGuinnessEU to accept the European Heritage Award in recognition of the outstanding work being done to preserve and enhance Ireland’s agricultural vernacular heritage. #Ploughing2024 pic.twitter.com/j0P3aLqUgX
— Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (@agriculture_ie) September 19, 2024
As a symbolic conclusion, Minister McConalogue received the Award bronze plaque from European Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister praised the scheme’s impact in ensuring that the farm buildings receive the care they need and the future they deserve.
Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council, echoed this sentiment, celebrating the scheme’s success and partnership with the Department of Agriculture. She emphasised how it has saved many buildings from neglect and earned European recognition, hoping it will serve as inspiration for similar efforts.
Graham Bell, Board Member of Europa Nostra, emphasised the cultural importance of farm buildings, describing them as the “vocabulary of farming” and integral to Ireland’s traditions. He stressed that the European Heritage Award celebrates these relationships and aims to inspire future generations to preserve rural heritage.
Snow Wells, Sierra Espuña, Spain
On 25 September, a ceremony was held at the Pozo No. 11 of the Snow Wells in Sierra Espuña. The event gathered representatives from public administrations, professionals, and community members to recognise the collaborative efforts behind the project.
The Regional Minister of Tourism and Culture, Carmen Conesa, highlighted the ingenuity of past generations, whose work with the wells supported the food and industrial revolutions long before the advent of electricity. The Regional Minister of Environment, Juan María Vázquez, praised the teamwork of everyone involved in this project.
Pablo Carbonell, Architect and director of the restoration, together with Ecoproyecta, expressed gratitude to the municipalities, regional government, and specialists. He stressed how sustainability, traditional construction methods, and respect for nature were key to the project.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque, symbolising the preservation of this cultural legacy for future generations.
October
Saxon Church in Alma Vii, Romania
On 10 October, over 100 attendees gathered at the local award ceremony for the Saxon Church in Alma Vii, shortly after it received both the Grand Prix in Conservation & Adaptive Reuse and Public Choice Award at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2024 in Bucharest.
The event was opened by Michaela Türk, Director at the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation, and Dumitru-Gabriel Nuţu, Mayor of Moşna commune.
On behalf of Europa Nostra, Elena Dimitrova, highlighted the importance of cultural heritage for personal and collective development, both materially and spiritually. Francesc Pla Casteltort from the Council of Europe and Willemijn van Haaften, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, expressed pride in the project’s success, underscoring the value of community involvement in heritage preservation.
Irina Iamandescu, Deputy Director of the National Heritage Institute, credited the project’s success to a unique combination of technical expertise and community engagement.
Carolina Fernolend, President of the Mihai Eminescu Trust, thanked the team for their dedication and commitment to preserving this important cultural heritage site.
The ceremony also featured speeches by the architect Ștefan Bâlici, who designed the first stage of the restoration, and community representative Alexandra Lăcătuş.
The event culminated with the unveiling of the Award bronze plaque by Elena Dimitrova and Mayor Nuţu, followed by a performance by clarinettist Călin Han.
Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, Croatia
On 26 October, the Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik hosted a special ceremony to celebrate the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, which received both an Award and the Grand Prix in the category Heritage Champions.
Over 120 national and international cultural heritage experts gathered for the event, including notable guests, such as the Croatian Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and the Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković.
The Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, praised the Society’s volunteer-driven efforts, calling them “a perfect embodiment of Europa Nostra’s values”. She highlighted their courageous dedication to restoring and preserving cultural heritage despite all the hardships and challenging times for the city and its citizens. “You have always moved forward, believing in the strength of will. You have become an example, both in Croatia and the region,” she said.
Minister Obuljen Koržinek emphasised the importance of civic engagement: “Everything we do as institutions would not have as much or any effect if citizens, those who live within the heritage, did not feel it as their own.”
Mayor Franković also acknowledged the crucial collaboration between the municipality and the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, which has been key in preserving Dubrovnik’s cultural identity.
Vedran Kosović, President of the Society, received the Award bronze plaque and expressed his gratitude to everyone involved, describing the Award as a significant milestone for their work.
The performances by the opera singer Dubravka Šeparović Mušović, the pianist Stefani Grbić, the actor Maro Martinović and the pianist-composer Matej Meštrović added even more depth and vibrancy to the event.
November
Gideon Tapestries, Hardwick Hall, United Kingdom
On 4 November in the awe-inspiring Elizabethan Great High Chamber in Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, representatives from the heritage and culture sectors, volunteers and staff participated in the local award ceremony for the preservation of the Gideon Tapestries.
The Gideon Tapestries are a unique document of both Flemish tapestry production and English taste in the 16th century. The 24-year long project, carried out by hand using traditional sewing and stitching techniques, exemplifies the National Trust’s commitment to preservation.
Sara Robertson, Council Member and Chair of Europa Nostra UK, unveiled the Award bronze plaque, alongside long-standing volunteer John Stubbs. This was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the textile conservation team and all the other staff members and volunteers, past and present, that had been involved in this huge 24-year endeavour.
Continuing this celebration of textiles, from the historic to the contemporary, guests were then invited to view the vast tapestries in the Long Gallery, before travelling downstairs to participate in the final stages of a contemporary textile art project entitled “A Virtuous Woman” by artist Layla Khoo.
NewsEye: A Digital Investigator for Historical Newspapers, Austria/Finland/France/Germany
The NewsEye project celebrations took place over two days: an award ceremony on 6 November, and a full-day seminar, focused on natural language processing and digital humanities, on 7 November. Around 30 researchers in these fields with an interest in cultural heritage attended the event.
Antoine Doucet, Project Coordinator and Professor at La Rochelle Université, presented the innovative research project that improved access to the early European press (1850 to 1950). Using 15 million pages digitised by the national libraries of Austria, Finland and France, it developed automatic tools for character recognition, analysis of newspaper structure and multilingual content processing, based on artificial intelligence.
Jean-Marc Ogier, President of La Rochelle Université, opened the ceremony, highlighting the university’s European vocation as the leader of one of the first European university alliances.
Eva Pfanzelter from the University of Innsbruck and Roger Labahn from the University of Rostock, both project members, praised the interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
On behalf of Europa Nostra, Etienne Poncelet, congratulated the project’s team on making historical newspapers from across Europe accessible to the general public, and on the project’s impact on numerous fields.
Preserving the Community Halls for Local Civil Society Activities, Finland
On 16 November, around 70 attendees gathered at Thorstorp Community Hall in Espoo to celebrate the Preserving the Community Halls for Local Civil Society Activities project. The event brought together cultural heritage professionals and representatives of associations managing community halls from all over Finland.
On behalf of Europa Nostra, Tapani Mustonen and Katariina Ruuska-Jauhijärvi presented the Award bronze plaque to the Finnish Local Heritage Federation and the Advisory Board of Community Halls. Tapani commended the Federation’s work, previously awarded for their “Masters and Apprentices” programme in 2022.
Marjut Leskinen from the European Commission Representation in Finland and Riitta Kaivosoja and Päivi Salonen from the Ministry of Education and Culture attended the event. Actor Matti Ristinen shared stories from his tour of community halls, emphasising their cultural significance.
Chairman Mikko Härö thanked volunteers for their efforts to maintain the halls and highlighted the Ministry’s repair grant system, which has supported nearly 2,500 halls.
The ceremony ended with poetry and musical performances in Finnish, Swedish, and English, creating a joyful atmosphere.
The Square Kilometre, Ghent, Belgium
On 26 November, STAM – Stadsmuseum Gent hosted the celebration for The Square Kilometre project. Around 300 attendees, including international guests, gathered for the ceremony, which was opened by Christine De Weerdt, Director of STAM.
Maximilian Voigt, Policy Officer at DGEAC, spoke on behalf of the European Commission, emphasising the importance of the Awards and the recognition of projects like The Square Kilometre.
Europa Nostra was represented by Paul Dujardin, President of Europa Nostra Belgium, who praised the project. “Heritage is not static; it is dynamic, evolving, and shaped by the people who live it. It is not just about preserving the past, but about creating a process – a dialogue between history, identity, and community,” he stated.
Curator Tina de Gent presented the winning project and the new exhibition, entitled “The Gate”, a tribute to the city quarters central to The Square Kilometre. The Vice-Mayor Sami Souguir inaugurated the exhibition, which is now on display at the museum.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of the award plaque and a visit to the new exhibition.
