Europa Nostra holds Council meeting in Belgrade on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary
The first Europa Nostra Council meeting of the year took place on 18 May. The meeting was held in Belgrade, as part of a broader programme of events to mark the 60th Anniversary of Europa Nostra this year and celebrate the launch of the European Heritage Hub. The Europa Nostra Vice-Presidents, Council and Board members present in Serbia met in person at the historic Aeroklub in Belgrade. A number of Council members also joined remotely. The meeting was chaired by Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra.
The Secretary General of Europa Nostra Serbia, Vesna Marjanovic, welcomed all members to Belgrade at a difficult time for Serbia, following the tragic shootings which took place only two weeks prior to the meeting. In homage to the victims, the day before the Council meeting a small delegation of Europa Nostra, led by the Secretary General, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, laid flowers and lit candles in memory of the children victims of the “Vladislav Ribnikar” Elementary School.
EN in 🇷🇸: Yesterday we laid flowers in memory of the victims of the #VladislavRibnikar school massacre. Our heart goes out to the people of #Serbia. Today w/@EUYOtweets & @eusrbija we hold a special concert with the EU Youth for the Serbian Youth at @IlijaMKolarac. pic.twitter.com/CDgBo4ssVY
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) May 18, 2023
From the new European Heritage Hub to endangered heritage in Serbia
Some of the main items on the agenda were the recent launch of the European Heritage Hub project, the Europa Nostra’s 60th Anniversary Summit in Venice and the 7 Most Endangered programme, with a special focus on Serbian endangered heritage sites. Discussions also took place on the upcoming European Political Community Summit, which will be held on 1 June in Bulboaca, Moldova, and on the Reykjavík Declaration issued by the Heads of State and Government and Representatives of the European Union at the Fourth Summit of the Council of Europe, held on 16 and 17 May 2023 in Iceland.
Communications by Council members also included the Renewed Heritage Solidarity Fellowship for Ukraine and the situation and impact of the earthquake of 8 February in Turkey and Syria. The meeting also covered an update on the activities of the Europa Nostra Engineering and Industrial Heritage Committee and the presentation of the report on Youth Activities and Consultation “Youth for the Future of Cultural Heritage in Europe”, as well as an overview of Europa Nostra’s finances.
It’s always great to gather in person. Congratulations to Cristina Loglio & Natalia Moussienko, appointed Vice-Presidents by the Europa Nostra Council, & to Androulla Vassiliou & Bertrand de Feydeau for their reappointment. pic.twitter.com/1asZ1dvkUF
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) May 18, 2023
A focus on the members
Tributes were paid by the Council to Isik Aydemir, former President of the Scientific Council and Chair of the Awards Jury Category Research, who passed away on 13 December 2022, and to Alain de la Bretesche, former Council Member, who passed away on 17 February 2023.
Two Council members, Cristina Loglio (Italy) and Natalia Moussienko (Ukraine), were appointed as new Vice-Presidents of Europa Nostra for a first mandate of three years. Androulla Vassiliou (Cyprus) and Bertrand de Feydeau (France) were reappointed.
The Secretary General of Europa Nostra also introduced the new staff members who joined the International Secretariat in the last months: Antigoni Michael, 7 Most Endangered Coordinator; Christy Drummond, Communications Manager; Ted Oakes, Policy Coordinator; Andrew Potts, Heritage and Climate Action Advisor; and Carla Toffolo, European Heritage Hub Project Coordinator.
The Council thanked Irina Subotić, President of Europa Nostra Serbia and former Vice-President of Europa Nostra, as well as Vesna Marjanovic and their small yet incredibly efficient team of volunteers for the perfect organisation of the events.
Europa Nostra in Belgrade
Europa Nostra was in Belgrade from 17 – 20 May to mark its 60th Anniversary this year and celebrate the launch of the European Heritage Hub. Over the course of four days, around 60 members of the Europa Nostra delegation held inspiring discussions, visited treasured heritage sites, enjoyed powerful concerts, and attended engaging debates across the city.
The day before the Council, the members had the occasion to join a visit hosted by H.E. Mr Pierre Cochard, Ambassador of France in Serbia, to the Residence of France, an outstanding heritage building in Art Deco style, considered one of the most beautiful French Residencies built in the 1930’s.
EN in 🇷🇸: We were honoured to be welcomed by H.E. Mr Pierre Cochard, Ambassador of #France. He proudly showed us the stunning #ArtDeco of the 🇫🇷 Residence. #culturalheritage pic.twitter.com/t8c0pxOUfX
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) May 18, 2023
Europa Nostra was then invited to an inspiring welcome Reception hosted in the Residence of Italy by H.E. Mr Luca Gori, Ambassador of Italy in Serbia. During the reception, Francesca Moncada, Europa Nostra Council member and Director of Le Dimore del Quartetto, presented the MERITA project funded by the EU and of which Europa Nostra is a European partner, before a concert by the Meraki string quartet.
EN in 🇷🇸: Fantastic first evening in Belgrade. H.E. Luca Gori, Ambassador of #Italy, welcomed us at the 🇮🇹Residence. It was the perfect occasion to present the EU-funded #MERITA project led by Le Dimore del Quartetto, followed by a concert by the Meraki String Quartet. @gori_luca pic.twitter.com/bCeX9naXX1
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) May 18, 2023
This programme in Belgrade was organised by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with Europa Nostra Serbia with the support of the European Commission, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia and the Delphi Economic Forum.
