Known for its creative approaches to European Heritage Days themes, Slovenia will once again offer exciting new interpretations of heritage. This year’s theme will be tied with the ideas behind European Year of Cultural Heritage and will cover a variety of aspects. The programme will be even richer than before, as new communities and organisers will join the celebrations. A multitude of new cross-sectorial collaborations will additionally expand the celebrations, which will help open new perspectives on heritage and create memorable experiences.

The 2018 festivities are reaching the peak this autumn, when over 400 European Heritage Days events will be organised to honour shared European values. The activities will start on 22 September and will last for two weeks.

Within the programme, visitors will be able to learn more about the heritage of beekeping in Škofja Loka, be a part of the World Tourism Day celebrations in Slovenia, visit numerous thematic exhibitions, and participate in various workshops and guided tours. The full list of European Heritage Days events that will be taking place across the country are now available here.

This year again, Slovenia runs the Heritage around us programme at the end of the Europe at School initiative. Bringing heritage closer to the youth through a set of school lessons, this initiative is one of the most important national heritage education efforts.

Like in previous years, Heritage around us involves a number of schools, teachers, artists, and creative and cultural individuals and groups. Children from all over the country have an opportunity to learn about their local and national heritage, as well as about shared European values.   

Jump-starting the 2018 heritage celebrations with a series of regional conferences, Slovenia has set the stage for a year full of remarkable cultural experiences back in January.

Throughout January and February, six meetings were organised across the country to discuss and promote regional programmes for European Year of Cultural Heritage and European Heritage Days. As preparatory events for Europe’s most magnificent heritage year so far, the conferences introduced several new heritage-inspired initiatives. Many of them are aimed at students and pupils, who have been included in the celebrations in several ways.

The year will be closed with a regional conference dedicated to promoting a heritage handbook for teachers. The conference will take place in December and will open the door into a new year of heritage discovery in Slovenia.

All updates on European Heritage Days in Slovenia are also available on the website of The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia.

Photo credits: © Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, author: Nuit d.o.o.