Jornadas Europeas de Patrimonio 2008

European heritage days. A celebration throughout Europe

Since 1991, once a year the citizens of 49 countries celebrate European cultural heritage through the European Heritage Days (EHD).

Guided tours, walks and itineraries, exhibitions, concerts and all types of cultural events bring together all European citizens to share the celebration of cultural heritage.

Some history

The EHD were conceived in Granada (Spain) on 3 October 1985, at the 2nd European Conference of Ministers in charge of Cultural Heritage. The French Minister of Culture proposed to extend over all Europe the experience of Monument Open Days which were held in France. The initiative was very well received and many European countries began to prepare similar events, until at last the Council of Europe proposed a grouping of all these initiatives, in order to strengthen cohesion and the international dimension. Thus in 1991 the Council of Europe officially launched the European heritage days which from 1999 would become a joint action of the European Union.

Widening horizons through heritage

The European heritage days have several aims:

• To raise awareness among European citizens of the cultural richness and diversity of Europe.
• To encourage the appreciation of the rich mosaic making up the cultures of Europe.
• To promote dialogue between cultures.
• To combat racism and xenophobia, favouring greater tolerance in Europe, going beyond national boundaries, and strengthening the European feeling of shared identity.
• To raise awareness in society and among political leaders of the need to protect heritage from new threats.
• To invite Europe to meet the new social, political and economic challenges which are now appearing.

Contenidos Adicicionales

Council of Europe