European Heritage Days

Description of the programme / policy

Europa Nostra actively supports and promotes the European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. These annual events take place in several European countries.

Main objective of the programme/policy

The European Heritage Days offer the public access to heritage sites and cultural events that are not usually open to the public.

Specific objective of the programme/policy

The aims of the European Heritage Days are to:

• raise the awareness of European citizens to the richness and cultural diversity of Europe
• create a climate in which the appreciation of the rich mosaic of European cultures is stimulated
• counter racism and xenophobia and encourage greater tolerance in Europe and beyond the national borders
• inform the public and the political authorities about the need to protect cultural heritage against new threats
• invite Europe to respond to the social, political and economic challenges it faces