Cultural heritage is an intrinsic part of a country’s identity. Europe is home to an array of unique cultures, each with centuries-old traditions, customs, languages, and vast legacies of monuments, artworks, and artifacts. In order to preserve, protect, and promote this immense cultural heritage, the European Union (EU) has implemented a series of initiatives that highlight the importance of European culture and provides protection to cultural heritage. This article will focus on exploring what the EU is doing to promote and preserve European cultural heritage and some of the initiatives it supports.
What is Cultural Heritage?
Cultural heritage is an umbrella term that encompasses all of the inherited elements of a particular culture. These elements can include artifacts, monuments, buildings, sites, literary works, music and songs, customs, knowledge, and the legacy of language, which are all critical elements of a community’s identity. Cultural heritage is a valuable resource that connects people to their history and can be a powerful force for community building and identity formation.
The EU’s Role in Promoting and Preserving Cultural Heritage
The European Union is committed to protecting and promoting its unique heritage, designs, and expressions. It recognizes the central role of culture in the development of modern Europe and the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations. The EU has established numerous initiatives to promote and support cultural heritage throughout the region. Among them, the following initiatives stand out:
- Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe is an initiative initiated by the Council of Europe to promote and preserve the unique cultural heritage of Europe. This is an extensive network of learning trails that connects culturally and historically significant locations throughout the region. The routes are open for visitors to explore and to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Europe. The routes act as a bridge between cultures and provide a deeper understanding of the shared European identity.
- European Heritage Label
The European Heritage Label is a recognition by the European Union of the historical and cultural importance of certain places and monuments in Europe. This label is a way of preserving and promoting the European cultural identity and encourages people to visit and learn about the rich cultural history found in Europe. The European Heritage Label has so far recognized over 50 sites and monuments, ranging from palaces to libraries to ancient fortresses.
- Heritage in Motion
Heritage in Motion is a three-year endeavor of the European Commission that works to promote cultural heritage throughout the European Union. The project includes a network of mobility grants, the Heritage in Motion Awards, and a Heritage in Motion Platform. Through the grant system, individuals and organizations can apply and receive funding to pursue projects that promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Europe. Additionally, the platform provides a platform for users to access information and resources on European cultural heritage.
- Europeana
Europeana is an online platform that is committed to digitizing and preserving the cultural heritage of Europe. It is the largest digital library in Europe and it contains millions of digitized items from a variety of artworks, books, videos, audio recordings, and artifacts. Europeana’s goal is to make Europe’s cultural heritage accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
- Erasmus +
Erasmus+ is an EU program that aims to promote mobility and cultural exchange by providing funding for activities related to education, training, and youth. Erasmus+ encourages cultural exchange activities and initiatives designed to promote cultural heritage and its understanding among citizens. This gives citizens of the region an opportunity to explore and discover the cultural heritage of the continent through mobility initiatives.
The European Union is committed to the exploration, protection, and promotion of Europe’s unique cultural heritage. Through a variety of initiatives and projects, the EU has been able to highlight the importance of Europe’s shared cultural heritage and to promote and encourage its preservation for present and future generations. By supporting initiatives such as the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, the European Heritage Label, Heritage in Motion, Europeana, and Erasmus+, the EU is able to showcase the immense cultural wealth of Europe and ensure that its legacy is safeguarded.
