In the year of heritage sharing, young Europeans have numerous opportunities to not only explore European heritage, but also showcase their interpretations of it.

Among the initiatives that make this possible, European Heritage Makers Week encourages children and young people across Europe to tell stories about their favourite heritage sites and objects. It is a creative opportunity for the youngest to actively explore and promote their local cultural and historic landmarks.  

As such, it was recently recognised by European Commission as one of the key initiatives for European Year of Cultural Heritage. In the opening statement regarding the EU Presidency Conference Cultural Heritage: for a more sustainable future in Europe, Mr. Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport recognised the efforts to bring heritage closer to the young.

Calling for citizens to come together to celebrate togetherness, unity, and shared European values, he emphasized the importance of encouraging children and young people to get involved. On behalf of European Commission, he expressed support for European Heritage Makers Week as a powerful way to achieve this.  

“The importance of engaging with young people is also an explicit part of two European initiatives of the European Year of Cultural Heritage: heritage at schools and youth for heritage. In this context, we support a project called European Heritage Makers Week. Taking place throughout April and May, it will give young people the opportunity to explore their surroundings and discover the European dimension of their local, regional and national heritage.”

Building upon the Heritage Makers initiative that started in Finland in 2013, European Heritage Makers Week represents a significant expansion of the concept. Now open in several European countries, it enables the young to share their perspectives on heritage and put their local treasures on the map of Europe.

As a cross-border initiative dedicated to the young, European Heritage Makers Week is tied perfectly with the goals of European Year of Cultural Heritage. The dedication of the Council of Europe and the European Commission to support it confirms its value for the citizens and gives it a greater visibility to help improve participation.

More information about European Heritage Makers Week and the ways to get involved available here.