Launch of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

Celebrations for the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage already kicked off in December 2017. During 2018, thousands of events across Europe will celebrate our rich heritage, a source of pride for a large majority of citizens, as a new Eurobarometer shows.Proposed by the Commission in 2016 and adopted by the Council last May, the European Year will promote initiatives and events across Europe to enable people to become closer to and more involved with their cultural heritage. Cultural heritage shapes our identities and everyday lives. It surrounds us in Europe's towns and cities, natural landscapes and archaeological sites. It is not only found in literature, art and objects, but also in the crafts we learn from our ancestors, the stories we tell to our children, the food we enjoy in company and the films we watch and recognise ourselves in.

The aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The slogan for the European Year of Cultural Heritage is: "Our heritage: where the past meets the future". This reflects the approach of the Europe for the Citizens programme which also combines historical memory with the debate on the future of Europe.

During the European Year 2018, a particular focus will be given to young people as future guardians of the European cultural heritage. Actions targeting them include awareness-raising activities supported by a toolkit for schools, an Instagram photo competition and opportunities to volunteer to help restore cultural sites. All EU countries have appointed national coordinators (see: https://europa.eu/cultural-heritage/country-links_en ), and thousands of activities will be organised at national, regional and local level. National initiatives will be complemented by transnational projects funded by the EU through different EU funding programmes, such as Creative Europe, Erasmus+ and Europe for Citizens.

More information on the European Year of Cultural Heritage can be found on the European Year's website at the following address:

https://europa.eu/cultural-heritage/about_en

This website does not only give an overview on the planned events, but makes available visuals and free-to use photos and videos that can be used by Europe for Citizens stakeholders as well (see: https://europa.eu/cultural-heritage/toolkits_en ).

Stakeholders responsible for projects dealing with the European Year of Cultural Heritage are invited to use the label of the European Year with the aim to contribute to the European Year of Cultural Heritage and at the same time to increase the visibility of their project.

The European Year of Cultural Heritage label (comprising a logo, a slogan and a hashtag) is available for activities, events and projects taking place between 7 December 2017 and 31 December 2018 which contribute to achieving one or more of the objectives of the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.

Information can be found at the following address: https://europa.eu/cultural-heritage/node/4

Jutta Koenig-Georgiades