Nature and Culture in Dialogue 2018

Photo: German-Dutch Nature Park Maas-Schwalm-Nette

The EUROPARC Federation and Interpret Europe are hosting a special event in Brussels as a celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. How does natural heritage influence cultural identity? How can interpretation support Protected Areas better-connecting people to the story of their place and community?

  • 28th November, 15:00 – 17:30
  • European Commission –
  • Participation is free but registration is necessary. Please register here.

In an increasingly disconnected European society it is often by reconnecting to nature through our protected areas, that people can understand their culture once more.

Cultural Identity is rooted in the connection to the land and therefore interpretation of natural and cultural landscapes is something inherent in most protected areas of Europe. European Protected areas have an important function to deliver, through the work of guides, ranger and the parks messages itself. Cultural identity, on the other hand, is not always as fixed as it may seem… and interpretation can be a powerful tool to help communities appreciate their history, even if fractured by major forces such as war, translocation, politics, modern travel, and connectivity.

In the beginning of 2018, Interpret Europe and EUROPARC Federation announced a partnership focused on the role of natural heritage to explore cultural identity. Now, looking ahead on how to follow up after the European Year of Culture 2018,

we would like to present the results of our cooperation and with the participation of DG Environment and DG Education and Culture, discuss experiences and opportunities to link nature and culture against the heritage background.

Please register here .

Download the programme here

Special Side event: Wednesday, 28th November 18:30

All participants are invited by Puglia Region (Italy) to attend to the presentation of the project “LandXcape – art, storytelling, landscape”. Regione Puglia in Bruxelles – Rue du Trone, 62 – 5° floor. Light refreshments will be offered.

Please send a confirmation until 26th November to officio.bruxelles@regione.puglia.it

The “Nature and Culture in Dialogue” is a celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.

Following the motto: “Our heritage: where the past meets the future”, the aim of the Year is to encourage more people to discover and explore Europe’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The Year will pursue an integrated approach to heritage, and put people at the centre.