2018 edition of #EuropeanHeritageDays under way

Celebrations of the European Heritage Days are now getting under way across Europe. Taking account of the ongoing European Year of Cultural Heritage the common theme in 2018 will be The Art of Sharing – a commitment to promote wider access to our rich cultural heritage in the future.

During the European Year, people are being encouraged to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage at events taking place at local, regional and European level. The European Heritage Days are an important element of this with a diverse programme.

Until the end of October, all over Europe people will have the chance to visit and take part in exhibitions, craft workshops, tours, festivals and much more. Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics (pictured) said: “Cultural heritage is central to our identity as Europeans and has a vital role in driving social and economic development.

"The theme of this year's European Heritage Days, The Art of Sharing, is in essence what the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 is all about. The European Year will help reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. Culture and cultural heritage have a unique power to bring together people from different backgrounds and enable them to understand and respect their differences – and to recognise their historical, cultural and human experiences they share. Through this, I hope people come to realise that there is more that unites us than divides us."

The European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission since 1999, are the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events in Europe. More than 70,000 events are taking place over the next two months to help raise awareness of Europe's common heritage and the need to protect it, as well as to create shared cultural heritage experiences, promote inclusiveness and foster creativity and imagination.

More information can be found here. 

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