Industrial Heritage (2015)

Canals, mines, breweries, potteries, forges, railways, cotton mills tell us as much about our heritage as celebrated archelogical sites, cathedrals and castles. This year Europe has come together to examine our shared past through the unique lens of our Industrial Heritage, with more than 30 countries joining this common theme. Throughout Europe we can see the remains of our industrial past: bridges, canals and railways, still in use today, making invaluable contributions to our economy. However, in most countries there are signs of long-gone industry – a derelict mill, a rusting machine, a brick chimney - all marking the sites of a once-thriving workplace and community. Our industrial past tells the story of change, development and creativity. It tells the stories of how and where we worked, the kinds of jobs we did and how we lived.

As custodians of local traditions, histories and values, Heritage Communities are the main pillar of local heritage conservation and revitalisation in the world of everyday living. Under the pan-European theme “Heritage and Communities,” the EHD events will bring together 50 European countries in shared celebration of citizens’ role in promoting and sharing common European heritage. Throughout Europe, more than 30 000 national and local events, many of them free, will celebrate Europe’s true treasure – its communities and the people behind places.

In this year’s edition of the #EHDs we are celebrating the intrinsic relationship between people and nature under the common theme: “Heritage and Nature: A Landscape of Possibilities”. Emphasis is given to heritage values embodied in nature and to the extent to which the environment shapes people's lives and lifestyles and its contribution to their well-being and socio-economic prosperity. The events taking place in urban nature sites, historic gardens, national reserves, home yards, national parks, heritage biotopes, protected areas, every day and outstanding landscape will help people to connect to nature and explore its diversity and cultural values.