What kind of art takes your breath away? What kind of entertainment makes you think? What makes you smile, laugh, and feel? What brings a story to life and creates emotions?

These are just some of the questions that Finland will ask its citizens during the 2019 European Heritage Days celebrations. As highlighted in a recent press release, the next year’s events will follow the common theme “Exploring Arts and Entertainment” with a focus on emotional experiences and user perspectives.

Officially launching on 5 February, 2019 at the Ministry of the Environment in Helsinki, the theme will explore the ways in which we are experiencing art and perceiving different forms of entertainment. The main events will be held between 2 and 8 September 2019, but event organisers are invited to celebrate throughout the year. They can pick any other date to tell their stories, especially if they wish to relate them to the next edition of Heritage Makers, which will once again take place in spring.

Introducing Arts and Entertainment

Joining the rest of Europe in celebrating the European Heritage Days common theme for 2019, Finland will explore the heritage of theatre, film, opera, dance, literature, and other forms of arts and entertainment. Concert halls, theatre stages, libraries, and even circus arenas will be presented in a different light, enabling visitors to explore their hidden histories.

In addition to presenting these public places, Finland invites local organisers and heritage groups to turn private venues into a European Heritage Days site. Hobby clubs, schools, streets, and gardens can also be a part of the celebrations with their unique and less-known stories.

Heritage Makers Week 2019

In 2019, Finland will once again encourage children and young people to actively explore their immediate natural and cultural surroundings by becoming Heritage Makers. Designed and launched together with Finnish education professionals, the initiative is intended to inspire the youngest to get involved in heritage development and cultural renewal.

Starting as a national activity, the concept of Heritage Makers grew over the years to become a pan-European initiative. With over 80 participants from eight European countries in 2018, European Heritage Makers Week was recognised as one of the key youth-oriented activities within European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.

The youth involvement will complement European Heritage Days events in Finland, which already promise a fulfilling season of heritage experiences. Getting on stage and behind the scenes of popular entertainment places will bring a new perspective on European heritage, providing memorable experiences to all who join.

European Heritage Days and Heritage Makers in Finland are coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Local Heritage Federation, Finnish Heritage Agency, Finnish National Agency for Education and Association of Cultural Heritage Education in Finland. More information about the events can be found at Finland’s calendar at www.kulttuuriymparistopaivat.fi, or the country page at http://www.europeanheritagedays.com/Country/Finland.

Photo Credits: Laura Rautjoki YHA kuvapankki

For all inquiries, contact:

The Finnish Local Heritage Federation: Liisa Lohtander, Organization Manager, firstname.lastname@kotiseutuliitto.fi, +358 45 1509 109

The Finnish Local Heritage Federation: Jonina Vaahtolammi, Coordinator, firstname.lastname@kotiseutuliitto.fi, +358 9 612 63229

Ministry of the Environment: Hanna Hamalainen, Planning Officer, firstname.lastname@ym.fi, +358 295 250 095