New publication: The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

Cultural heritage is a dynamic process that continually evolves, shaping and being shaped by our communities. Far from being mere relics of the past, it is a vital component of our present and future identities.

This new publication, developed in the context of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, highlights the active role of heritage initiatives supported through Creative Europe. It provides insight into the year’s many achievements, presenting them in two core sections: ‘Sectors Covered’ and ‘Themes Covered’.

The ‘Sectors Covered’ section illustrates how heritage projects come to life across music, performing arts, visual arts, textiles, gastronomy, and architecture. The ‘Themes Covered’ section offers a thematic exploration that situates projects within broader cultural and social dynamics. Both sections are further divided into subsections, each titled in the continuous present tense. This stylistic choice reflects a key idea of the publication: that cultural heritage is not static, but a living process of ongoing interpretation and adaptation.

By presenting projects through both sectoral and thematic lenses, the publication underscores that cultural heritage is not confined to preservation. Instead, it is continuously recreated by communities and, in turn, helps to shape our evolving European identities. In this way, cultural heritage remains a vibrant and shared experience—connecting the past, transforming the present, and inspiring the future.

Check out the publication.