On 6–8 October 2024, the European Cultural Heritage Summit is taking place in Bucharest, at which the prestigious ceremony for this year’s European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards was held. During the gala at the iconic Romanian Athenaeum, 26 laureates from across Europe were honoured, including three representatives from Poland.
We are delighted to announce that the Grand Prix in the Conservation and Adaptation category has been awarded to the Historic “Ignacy” Mine in Rybnik. This exceptional project has preserved one of the oldest coal mines in Poland, established in 1792. Thanks to the joint efforts of former miners, the City of Rybnik, and funding from the European Union, the mine has been transformed into a vibrant cultural and recreational centre while maintaining its historical significance.
Among the laureates of the 2024 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, in addition to the Historic Ignacy Mine in Rybnik, is the Serfenta Craft Revitalisation Model from Cieszyn, which received an award in the Education, Training and Skills category, as well as Dr Piotr Gerber from Wrocław, a laureate in the Heritage Champions category.
The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024, organised by Europa Nostra and co-funded by Creative Europe, a European Commission programme, brought together around 800 professionals and enthusiasts of heritage from across Europe. Notable guests at the event included Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Prof. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, and Prof. Jacek Purchla, Vice-President of Europa Nostra.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the event provided an excellent opportunity to discuss key issues related to heritage, such as sustainable development and the role of culture in society. An integral part of the Summit was the Second European Heritage Hub Forum, held under the titled “Championing a responsible digital transition for and with cultural heritage”. The Forum focused on the role of the cultural heritage sector in responsible digital transformation, addressing both social and ecological aspects.
We encourage everyone to visit all the awarded sites in Europe to personally experience their value and history. For more information about the event and the laureates, please visit the Europa Nostra website.
