The list of the 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2022 has just been jointly announced by Europa Nostra – the European Voice of Civil Society Committed to Cultural and Natural Heritage – and the European Investment Bank Institute.
The 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2022 are:
Zogu Bridge, ALBANIA
Récollets Convent, Nivelles, BELGIUM
Garden City La Butte Rouge, near Paris, FRANCE
Historic Centre of Stolberg, GERMANY
Neptune Baths, Băile Herculane, ROMANIA
Orléans-Borbón Palace, near Cádiz, SPAIN
Crèvecoeur Fortress, Den Bosch, THE NETHERLANDS
The announcement of the 7 Most Endangered sites 2022 was made at an online event co-hosted by high level representatives of Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, with the participation of Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Nominators and representatives of the 7 selected sites contributed to the online event, which attracted participants from across Europe and beyond.
In his address during the online event, the Executive President of Europa Nostra, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, stated: “The list of the 7 Most Endangered 2022 covers a variety of heritage sites – from an exemplary 20th-century garden city to the historic centre of a medieval town, severely damaged by floods, and to an abandoned yet iconic building that is part of one of the oldest spa resorts on our continent. These sites are threatened by neglect, planned demolition, unsuitable development, the devastating impact of natural disasters or lack of funding. By publishing this list, we wish to send a strong message of solidarity and support to the local communities and heritage activists who are mobilised to save these endangered sites. Europe’s cultural heritage must be preserved not only as a testimony of our shared past, memory and identity, but also as a catalyst for sustainable development, social cohesion and much-needed peaceful co-existence.”
In his address Henry von Blumenthal, Deputy Dean of the European Investment Bank Institute, added: “Cultural heritage is about far more than ‘stones and bones’ from the past. It is a key resource for European identity, attractiveness and economic growth. Its positive and cohesive power connects Europe’s citizens and communities. For all these reasons, the EIB Institute is once again proud to be supporting the 7 Most Endangered Programme with Europa Nostra, Europe’s leading cultural heritage organisation”.
On this occasion, the Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, drew special attention to the statement Europa Nostra stands in solidarity with Ukraine, issued on 25 February, and to the crowdfunding campaign to support the defenders of Ukraine’s endangered heritage jointly launched by Europa Nostra and Global Heritage Fund on 18 March. “As stated by our Board at its meeting held on 10 March, the rich and diverse heritage in Ukraine is THE most endangered heritage in the whole of Europe. We therefore need to provide support to our heritage colleagues in Ukraine. Every organisation or individual from Europe and beyond, who is dedicated to culture, heritage and history, can contribute to our crowdfunding initiative. Let’s stand together in solidarity with heritage defenders in Ukraine!” said Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović. All donations will provide emergency support to these brave guardians of our shared history and humanity. All contributions, however big or small, are welcome and important, and can easily be made via the Europa Nostra website (in Euros) or via the Global Heritage Fund website (in USD, GBP or crypto).
The 7 Most Endangered sites for 2022 were selected by the Board of Europa Nostra from the 12 sites shortlisted by a panel of international experts. The selection was made on the basis of the outstanding heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites as well as on the basis of the serious danger that they are facing. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders to saving these sites were considered crucial added values. Another selection criterion was the potential of these sites to act as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development as well as a tool for promoting peace and dialogue within their localities and wider regions.
Teams of experts representing Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, together with the organisations that nominated the sites and other partners, will assess each case by collecting information and by meeting with key stakeholders. These multidisciplinary teams will provide expert advice, identify possible sources of funding and help mobilise wide support to save these heritage landmarks. At the end of the assessment process, they will formulate and communicate a set of recommendations for future action.
The 7 Most Endangered Programme is run by Europa Nostra in partnership with the European Investment Bank Institute. It also has the support of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Launched in 2013, this programme forms part of a civil society campaign to save Europe’s endangered heritage. It raises awareness, prepares independent assessments and proposes recommendations for action. It also provides a grant of €10,000 per listed site to assist in implementing an agreed activity that will contribute to saving the threatened site. In most cases, the listing of an endangered site serves as a catalyst and incentive for the mobilisation of necessary public or private support, including funding.
- Πηγή: europanostra.org
