September is for European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and European Commission across over 40 participating countries. Events are coming in France, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain announcing programs for local and international audiences.
By Creatives Unite NewsroomDozens of cultural events are taking place across Europe this September and October as part of the annual European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Over 40 countries on the continent are inviting the public to learn more about everything from national monuments to rituals and traditions. This year's theme is 'Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections', highlighting how the movement of people, ideas, and cultures across time and space has shaped the built environment, monuments, and streets. It also highlights intangible cultural practices such as rituals, languages, and food.
"Every year, the European Heritage Days bring millions of Europeans together around our shared historical and cultural heritage," said Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, in a press statement.
This year's Heritage Days events also commemorate two important anniversaries: the 75th of the Council of Europe and the 70th of the European Cultural Convention. With the Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections theme, member countries emphasize how the movement of people, ideas, and cultures over time has shaped tangible aspects like monuments and pathways, and intangible traditions such as languages, rituals, and food.
Luxembourg: 27 September - 6 October
Luxembourg’s European Heritage Days will be based around connecting a broader European heritage. Visitors can enjoy guided tours around different significant European cultural sites and developments.
Malta: 4-14 October
The Notte Bianca festival is one of the country’s biggest arts and culture events. This is the major highlight of Malta’s European Heritage Days. Valletta’s streets, piazzas, and landmarks come alive with performances, concerts, and art installations, and cafés and restaurants will open late into the night.
Romania: 21 September
Events will focus on mobility via the movement of people, goods, and ideas throughout history. There will be guided tours, historic building openings, and exhibitions highlighting Romanian tangible and intangible heritage.
Slovenia: 28 September - 12 October
Slovenia’s "Dnevi evropske kulturne dediščine" will explore the theme of shared values and practices, with an emphasis on storytelling for collective identities. Highlights include a children’s bike ride along the Cultural Route of St. Martin and a lecture that examines smells in cultural history.
Spain: September - November
The "Jornadas Europeas de Patrimonio" will promote digital and physical cross-cultural dialogue. The focus is on how flows of people and ideas have shaped cultural production including but not limited to cuisine and music. Events include an underground wine tour in Burgos' cellars and nature-focused itineraries in Arlanza.
Main Image: Karl Gerber, Roofs of Buildings in Dubrovnik, CCBY4.0
