The Council of Europe and the European Union jointly organize the European Heritage Days, which were first held in 1985. European Heritage Days take place in the 50 signatory countries to the European Cultural Convention every September and are organised in close collaboration with national coordinators. Within each country, a network of regional and local authorities, civic and private groups and thousands of volunteers are in charge of organising events. These aim to:
- enhance awareness of the diversity and depth of Europe's cultures
- develop better tolerance for diverse cultures throughout Europe, combat racism and xenophobia, and raise interest in Europe's cultural heritage
- educate the public and decision-makers about the importance of preserving cultural heritage
- raise participation in Europe in order to address the social, political, and economic issues faced by the cultural industry.
In 2022, the shared theme is Sustainable Heritage. Thus, events will be looking at people and places, continuity and learning from traditions, steps organizers and visitors can take to be more environmentally friendly, as well as how built and natural heritage contributes to a more sustainable future. This theme was chosen in the context of environmental change, Europe's diverse cultural heritage, and the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Numerous monuments and sites that are often closed to the public for the rest of the year open their doors during European Heritage Days. This enables anyone to take advantage of free visits, learn about their common cultural legacy, and take an active role in preserving Europe's heritage for current and future generations. Every year, over 20 million people can visit thousands of rarely open sites and unique events thanks to European Heritage Days.
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Find out more info and a map of the events here.
Check more ideas on the shared theme here and in this brochure.