Milestones

 

2023

• Europa Nostra celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The choice of Venice as the host city of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2023 marking our 60th anniversary represents in itself a symbol of our dedication to safeguarding and promoting the shared heritage and values that define Europe today.

Big applause to @europanostra on reaching 60 years of commitment to safeguarding our invaluable European cultural legacy! 🏛️

Your endeavors, exemplified by the #EuropeanHeritageSummit, motivate us all to treasure our history and forge a more promising tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xCQBh4xVuV

— Creative Europe (@europe_creative) October 2, 2023

• Europa Nostra and its partners are selected for EU funding for the implementation of a pilot project establishing a European Heritage Hub (May 2023 – April 2025).
• The 7 Most Endangered Programme, run by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

 

2022

• As our fellow colleagues in Ukraine faced further hardship during the winter, we relaunched our crowdfunding campaign to support the defenders of Ukraine’s endangered heritage in December.
• The Prague Manifesto “For a Value-based and Culture-driven Europe” is released in October.
• The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2022 is held in Setember in Prague (Czechia), featuring the Awards Ceremony and the Policy Agora as highlights.
• The Europa Nostra Heritage Hub for Central and Eastern Europe, based in Kraków, and the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub for South East Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, based in Athens, are established in May and June, respectively.
• In March, in close partnership with the Global Heritage Fund, Europa Nostra launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the defenders of Ukraine’s endangered heritage, which led to the creation of the Heritage Solidarity Fellowship for Ukraine, with the support of ALIPH and in collaboration with the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative based in Kiev.
• A Memorandum of Understanding is signed with ALIPH – International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas in January.
• This year marks the 20th anniversary of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards.
• EU supports our Network Project “European Cultural Heritage Agora” (2022-2024). 
  

Governance
Cecilia Bartoli, the world-renowned opera star, is appointed as the new President of Europa Nostra, for an initial mandate of five years.

 

2021

• The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2021 is held in Venice (Italy), featuring the Awards Ceremony and the Policy Agora as highlights.
• The Venice Call to Action “For a New European Renaissance” is released.
• The European Cultural Heritage Green Paper “Putting Europe’s shared heritage at the heart of the European Green Deal” is produced by Europa Nostra in cooperation with ICOMOS and the Climate Heritage Network.
• Europa Nostra contributes to four heritage-related events at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow (United Kingdom).
• Europa Nostra is appointed as the new Regional Co-Chair of the Climate Heritage Network for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• Europa Nostra is selected among the first partners of the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus.
• The European Heritage Alliance, coordinated by Europa Nostra, celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
• Europa Nostra launches the European Heritage Youth Ambassadors Programme in partnership with the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) and the European Heritage Tribune.
• A Memorandum of Understanding with the Erasmus Student Network is signed.

 

2020

• Born as a creative response to the confinement to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Europa Nostra Digital Agora is launched and 17 digital editions are released between April and July.
• The European Heritage Alliance Manifesto “Cultural Heritage: a powerful catalyst for the Future of Europe” is published in 13 languages and signed by over 700 people.
• Europa Nostra publishes extensive paper “COVID-19 & BEYOND: Challenges and Opportunities for Cultural Heritage”.
• The first-ever virtual European Heritage Awards Ceremony gathers over 1,000 online participants from around the world.
• The statement “A Cultural Deal for Europe: A central place for culture in the EU’s post-pandemic future” is issued by Europa Nostra, Culture Action Europe and the European Cultural Foundation.
• The European Investment Bank publishes the seminal essay “Togetherness – A New Heritage Deal for Europe” by our Executive President Hermann Parzinger.
• Cultural Heritage in Action, a 3-year European cooperation project funded by Creative Europe, is launched.
• IMPACTOUR, a 3-year European cooperation project funded by Horizon 2020, kicks-off.

Governance
Maestro Plácido Domingo becomes Honorary President of Europa Nostra.
Europa Nostra honours Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović on her 20th anniversary as Secretary General.

 

2019

• The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2019 is held in Paris (France), featuring the Awards Ceremony and the Policy Debate as highlights.
• The Paris Manifesto “Relançons l’Europe par la culture et le patrimoine culturel!” is released.
• ILUCIDARE, a 3-year European cooperation project funded by Horizon 2020, kicks-off.
• Europa Nostra and Global Heritage Fund join forces through a transformational partnership.
• Europa Nostra has granted young people (18-33 years old) free-of-charge membership since 2019.

 

2018

• The first-ever European Cultural Heritage Summit is held in 2018 in Berlin (Germany). It is the largest European event taking place during the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The Awards Ceremony and Policy Debate are among the highlights of the Summit.
• The Berlin Call to Action “Cultural Heritage for the Future of Europe” is published in 29 languages and signed by over 2,018 organisations and individuals.
• The #Ode2Joy Challenge is launched by Europa Nostra and its President, Maestro Plácido Domingo, as a contribution to the European Year of Cultural Heritage.
• The 5th Anniversary Conference of the 7 Most Endangered programme and Capacity Building Days on Endangered Heritage are held in Nicosia (Cyprus).
• Europa Nostra is part of the consortium of the Food is Culture project (2018-2020) coordinated by Slow Food and funded by Creative Europe.

Governance
Dr. Hermann Parzinger is appointed as Executive President of Europa Nostra.
Guy Clausse is appointed as Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra.

 

2017

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Turku (Finland), the Awards Ceremony at St. Michael’s Church.
• EU supports Europa Nostra’s Network Project “Sharing Heritage – Sharing Values” (2017-2021).

Governance
Europa Nostra pays tribute to its Secretary General Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović on her Silver Jubilee.

 

2016

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Madrid (Spain), the Awards Ceremony at Zarzuela Theatre.

 

2015

• The results of the 2-year EU-funded research project Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe are presented in Oslo.
• The European Heritage Congress is held in Oslo (Norway), the Awards Ceremony at Oslo City Hall.

Governance
Plácido Domingo is re-elected President of Europa Nostra.

 

2014

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Vienna (Austria), Awards Ceremony at the Burgtheater.
• EU supports Europa Nostra’s Network Project “Mainstreaming Heritage” (2014-2017).

 

2013

• The 50th Anniversary Congress of Europa Nostra is held in Athens (Greece). The Awards Ceremony at the Odeion of Herodes Atticus assembles over 4,000 people.
• Our Executive President Denis de Kergorlay gives a lecture on Europa Nostra in Paris to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the organisation.
• Europa Nostra’s 50th Anniversary Closing Events held in Brussels (Belgium): European Heritage Policy Conference “Cultural Heritage for Europe, Europe for Cultural Heritage” at Bibliothèque Solvay, opening of the photo exhibition on the Awards at the headquarters of the European Commission, and Citizens’ Dialogue and European Inspirations Concert at BOZAR.
• Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute launch the  7 Most Endangered Programme.
• The Helena Vaz da Silva European Award for Raising Public Awareness on Cultural Heritage is jointly launched with the Centro Nacional de Cultura (Portugal).
• Europa Nostra contributes to the European Commission’s New Narrative for Europe initiative.

 

2012

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Lisbon (Portugal), the Awards Ceremony at the Jerónimos Monastery.
• The Public Choice Award is awarded for the first time.

2011

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Amsterdam (The Netherlands), the Awards Ceremony at the Concertgebouw gathers some 1,600 people.
• The European Heritage Alliance, an informal platform of European and international networks active in the wider field of heritage, is launched on the initiative of Europa Nostra.
• The Amsterdam Declaration “Volunteers as added-value for Europe’s cultural and natural heritage” is adopted.

2010

• Europa Nostra opens its office in Brussels (Belgium).
• The European Heritage Congress is held in Istanbul (Turkey).
• The magazine Heritage in Motion is launched.

Governance
Plácido Domingo is elected President of Europa Nostra.

2009

• The European Heritage Congress is held in Taormina (Italy).
• The Policy Paper “Why Cultural Heritage Matters for Europe“ is published.
• The Declaration “Saving Europe’s Memory and Identity“ is adapted.
• A Memorandum of Understanding with INTO – The International National Trusts Organisation is signed.

Governance
Reform of the Europa Nostra Governance system and Statute.
Denis de Kergorlay (France) becomes Executive President of Europa Nostra.
John Sell (United Kingdom) becomes Executive Vice-President of Europa Nostra.

2007

Governance
HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón is elected President of Europa Nostra.

2006

• Europa Nostra coordinates the European Heritage Days, a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

Governance
Dr. Andrea Schuler (Switzerland) becomes Executive President of Europa Nostra.

2005

• The Policy Forum “Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe” is held.

2004

• Europa Nostra runs a campaign against the large-scale destruction of the cultural heritage in Kosovo.

2003

• 40th Anniversary Events of Europa Nostra at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg (France).

2002

• Europa Nostra is selected by the European Commission to run the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards.

2000

• The millennium European Heritage Congress is held in Prague (Czech Republic).
• The General Assembly adopts the revised Statute.

1999 

• Experimental cuts in VAT for heritage restoration and repair works are allowed by the European Union, as a result of Europa Nostra’s campaign.

1998

• Europa Nostra is recognised by the European Commission as a pan-European umbrella organisation in the field of cultural heritage.

1997

• The Report on “Built Heritage and Employment” is published with the European Heritage Group.

1994 -1998 

• Europa Nostra acts as the coordinator of the European Heritage Group.

1992 

Governance
Daniel Cardon de Lichtbuer (Belgium) becomes Executive President of Europa Nostra.

1991

• Merger with the International Castles Institute (IBI).

1990 

Governance
HRH the Prince Consort of Denmark becomes President of Europa Nostra.

1989

• Europa Nostra co-organises the 6th European Symposium of Historic Towns & the Historic Towns Forum.

1987-1988

• Special Award Scheme for conservation by local authorities throughout Europe to mark the European Year of the Environment upon request of the European Commission.

1985-1987 

• Survey of attitudes and reactions to the conservation of the European heritage in towns and countries upon request of the Council of Europe.

1984

Governance
Hans de Koster (The Netherlands) becomes President of Europa Nostra.

1983 

• Europa Nostra wins Olympia Award by the Onassis Foundation in Athens (Greece).

1978 

• The Europa Nostra Heritage Awards Scheme is launched.

1975

• Europa Nostra co-produces the award-winning documentary “The Wheels of Time”.
• Europa Nostra contributes to the European Architectural Heritage Year.

1969

Governance
Lord Duncan Sandys (United Kingdom) becomes President of Europa Nostra.

1963

• Europa Nostra is founded on 29 of November 1963 at the Council of Europe office premises in Paris by non-governmental heritage organisations from Italy, UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Germany and Ireland.