| Abstract [eng] |
The French Minister of Culture suggested extending to a European level the “Monuments’ Open Doors” initiative launched in France in 1984. Several European countries, such as The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Malta, Belgium, the United Kingdom (Scotland) and Sweden soon set up similar events. In 1991, the Council of Europe officially launched the European Heritage Days (EHDs) with the support of the European Commission. In 1999, this initiative became a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Throughout Europe, during the weekends of September, the European Heritage Days open the doors of numerous monuments and sites, many of them usually closed to the public, allowing Europe’s citizens to enjoy and learn about their shared cultural heritage and encouraging them to become actively involved in the safeguard and enhancement of this heritage for present and future generations. Today, the European Heritage Days can be considered an essential instrument for fostering a tangible experience of European culture and history in addition to raising the awareness of the public about the multiple values of our common heritage and the continuous need for its protection. All 49 States parties to the European Cultural Convention actively take part in the initiative and the number of annual visitors is now estimated to be around 20 million at more than 30,000 participating monuments and sites. The EHDs have succeeded in stimulating civil society’s participation, the specific involvement of youth, voluntary work and cross-border cooperation, thereby promoting the core principles of intercultural dialogue, partnership and civic responsibility. Like in the rest of Europe, in its European Heritage Days Lithuania is trying to draw attention to a certain area of our national heritage, to make us able to gain a deeper recognition of the long-term role and potential of heritage in the context of modern civilisation and culture. In particular, Heritage Days focus on youth thus hoping to inspire in them more aspirations and interest in the cultural history of their own and neighbouring European countries which have become as close as never before. As regards municipalities and other responsible or involved organisations, these events should become a stimulus to preserve and nurture cultural heritage of Lithuania more carefully and take a more innovative approach as regards its integration into information flows of European cultural heritage, as well as promote cultural tourism. In Lithuania European heritage days began only at 1995 and lasts till now already for 12 years. The themes were: jewish heritage in Lithuania, wooden, technical heritage, parks and gardens, cultural tourism and others. This year European heritage days will be – “Europe: common heritage. Cultural routes”. With the support of the Council of Europe, the Photo experience from 1995 allows young people, in the framework of the European Heritage Days, to become familiar with the richness of their heritage, their history and their environment, from the past and from today. The international photo contest is a very good experience for young people. In Lithuania the campaign started at 1999. |
