While cycling to work last week, Brian Mikkelsen noticed flames and smoke from his workplace. A tragedy under any circumstance, but here’s the catch: Mikkelsen’s office is Denmark’s historic stock exchange building, Börsen. Whilst firefighters and brave volunteers were able to retrieve much of the historic art collection before it succumbed to the flames, the building itself was dramatically damaged before firefighters could control the blaze. Whilst immediate comparisons were drawn to Notre Dame’s 2019 inferno, these are sadly not […] The post Heritage in Ashes: The Urgency of Better Fire Pro ..read more

This week, the picturesque town of Bad Kissingen, Germany, served as the gathering point for members of the Great Spa Towns of Europe (GSTE) Association. The assembly, which drew attendees for a series of meetings and site visits, was graciously hosted by Dr. Dirk Vogel, Lord Mayor of Bad Kissingen. The GSTE’s General Assembly aligned with the International Day for Monuments and Sites, providing a profound backdrop for discussions centered on the historic and pacific role of spa towns in […] The post Assembly Great Spa Towns of Europe: A Convergence of Culture and Conservation appeared first o ..read more

The Danish Association of Architects has published the following statement on LinkedIn. “Can it really be true that this happens again and again? It is so infinitely sad to see the Stock Exchange burning today. The building is known and loved by everyone and is part of Copenhagen’s skyline – not least because of the iconic lead dragon tower, which has survived several large fires and Copenhagen’s devastating bombardment. While the building was constructed in 1619-24 under the direction of […] The post Historic Copenhagen Stock Exchange in Flames: Danish Architects Association in Disbelief appe ..read more

In scenic rural Europe, manor and park estates stand as testaments to a continent filled with rich cultural heritage. These estates embody the social, economic, and political transformations that have shaped the identity of the landscape over the centuries. Yet, since the aftermath of the Second World War, many of these historical sites, especially in Eastern Europe, have struggled in a changing world. In Poland’s Western Pomerania, a recent study sheds light on the challenges facing the preservation of these […] The post Preserving Western Pomerania’s Cultural Heritage: The Battle to Save Man ..read more

​Launched by the Council of Europe in 1987, the Cultural Routes demonstrate, by means of a journey through space and time, that the heritage of different European countries contributes to the common cultural heritage Besides the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, 31 routes pass through France among the 47 certified in Europe, but this program still remains too little known in Europe. These 31 itineraries allow you to discover major heritage, cultural and tourist places, cities & regions in France, […] The post France Leads in European Cultural Exploration with 31 Council of Europe Cultural ..read more

In spring 2023, at the CHARTER Alliance Workshop on guidelines for innovative/emerging VET and HE curricula in Helsinki (Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education red.), I had an opportunity to arrange a workshop for young Cultural Heritage experts in Finland. At the workshop the participants brainstormed on the future skills, expertise, ideas and visions about the transformations in theCultural Heritage sector and skills and occupations needed in the future. As a result, the participants formed a future target: ‘how […] The post Column Uula Neitola: The future is yours, Clarifier ..read more

The European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance CHARTER, an Erasmus+ funded project, has published a new report: Forecast to fill gaps between education and training supply and labour market needs. The central question in this report is: ‘How can we improve the personal development of heritage workers during their careers?’ Based on in-depth interviews, focus groups and document analysis, the report outlines possible paths for the future. Fourteen good practices illustrate what is possible. And we are very proud that the […] The post What are the key learning needs of heritage professionals in ..read more

The City of London Corporation, in collaboration with Purcell (architects specialised in heritage), has unveiled an innovative open-access toolkit designed to guide heritage building owners through the complexities of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing climate resilience. With over 600 listed buildings, 28 conservation areas, 48 scheduled ancient monuments, and four historic parks and gardens, the City of London is custodian to an immense historical and cultural wealth. However, with the climate crisis escalating, there is an urgent need to ensure […] The post London launches innovative t ..read more

A big meeting in Brussels on March 21st discussed how museums can use the latest technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), to improve the visitor experience. The event, called “Innovation and Integrity: Museums paving the way in an AI-driven society”, brought together government officials from cities, countries, and even the European Union to brainstorm ideas for museums in this age of AI. The conference highlighted museums’ capacity as indispensable venues for public interaction with technology, underscoring their roles in learning, experiencing, […] The post High-Level conference on AI ..read more

A new study, funded by the UK’s Culture and Heritage Capital Programme provides statistical evidence for the benefits of living near heritage. Whilst heritage aficionados may not be surprised by such a result, this is the first time that a study has shown that simply living near historic sites has a positive boost to personal well-being. The study follows on from similar research into the value of participation in sports and proximity to green spaces, further emphasising the value that […] The post ‘Living near heritage makes you happier’ appeared first on European Heritage Tribune ..read more