European Year of Cultural Heritage launched today!

Published on: 07/12/17

EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe join forces to support the European Year of Cultural Heritage

On the occasion of the official launch of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe announce a partnership, focusing on the role of natural heritage to explore cultural identity.

Today, the European Year of Cultural Heritage was launched in Milan. In order to contribute to the Year, the EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe agreed to co-operate on a project:

Focusing on the role of natural heritage to explore cultural identity
Investigating ways that heritage interpretation can encourage citizens to reflect upon this relationship.

In many cases, cultural identity is rooted in the connection to the land. Heritage interpretation is a powerful medium to help communities appreciate their history and challenge their future. This partnership brings together parks, communities and experts in interpretation. Special attention shall be given to young people and how they understand and influence their cultural identity.

Activities in 2018

The EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe will gather contributions from all actors, across all events, to identify the challenges of good practice and opportunities for people and places. Throughout the Year, the EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe will focus on four key events:

Seminar ‘Natural Heritage as Part of Cultural Identity’ in Siggen, Germany – Registrations are now open!
Conference ‘Heritage and Identity’ in Kőszeg, Hungary
Conference ‘European Parks: Inspired by the Next Generation’ in Aviemore, UK
Presentation of the key project results at a seminar in Brussels, Belgium

About the organisations

The EUROPARC Federation represents about 400 organisations, which is thousands of protected areas, in 36 countries and facilitates international co-operation in all aspects of protected area management to further improve and conserve our shared natural inheritance. Interpret Europe has more than 500 individual, organisation and corporate members in 45 countries. Its mission is to serve all who use first-hand experiences to give natural and cultural heritage a deeper meaning.

For further information please contact mail @ interpret-europe.net or b.pais @ europarc.org.