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The Krakow Hub team would like to welcome the newly-opened Nicosia Heritage Hub to the fold! The last few days of February saw the official inauguration of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia on the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Kraków Hub was represented by John Beauchamp, who made a presentation to gathered notables, diplomats and partners in Nicosia on our ongoing activities and called for deeper collaboration between the Europa Nostra Heritage Hubs.

In the inaugural episode of our new podcast series “Heritage Hour,” we talk to leading experts about the preservation of Jewish heritage in Poland.The discussion surrounds the synagogue in Orla, located near the Polish-Belarusian border. This site has been nominated for this year’s edition of the 7 Most Endangered programme run by Europa Nostra.

Yesterday, on 6 February 2025, the first council meeting of the 2024-2028 term took place. During the course of it, Dr Jagodzinska was elected deputy chair. The museum has very ambitious exhibition plans for this year and beyond. We are looking forward to new openings. ‘St Ives and Elsewhere’ is coming soon.

The Great Synagogue in Orla has been nominated for the 7 Most Endangered Programme along with 13 other heritage sites in Europe! This initiative, led by Europa Nostra in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB), raises awareness about endangered heritage. It involves independent expert assessments, the formulation of recommendations for further actions, and the building of support for rescuing selected endangered sites across Europe.

In the next episode of the “Holistic Heritage” podcast series, Dr. Katarzyna Jagodzińska and John Beauchamp, in conversation with Augustas Serapinas and Matthew Post, the curator and concept developer of the exhibition, reflect on the situation of endangered vernacular wooden architecture in Podlasie and its surroundings. Increasingly, homes constructed from pine, spruce, and aspen beams are disappearing from the landscapes of local villages and towns. Some are decaying, while others are sold for timber or refurbished, losing their original appearance. Occasionally, they burn down, making way for new investments. Is their fate already sealed?

Technique: drawing, comics, graffiti. Material: something that writes and a wall. Message: satire dissecting violence, absurdity, and extremism. Dan Perjovschi is the guest of John Beauchamp and Katarzyna Jagodzińska in the 13th episode of our “Holistic Heritage” podcast series. Fasten your seat belts, as turbulence may occur!

The Romanian village of Viscri is world famous for two sites. One is a home of the British monarch Charles III, which was the destination of his first foreign trip after his coronation. The other is the fortified church, one of seven in Transylvania listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. But there are definitely more reasons to visit south-eastern Europe, take a listen for yourself!

Although ICOMOS states that Kraków has “the most comprehensively organised systematic protection and revitalisation of the historical fortifications of the great fortress in Poland,” the potential of the Kraków Fortress remains relatively unknown to both the local community and visitors. How can we tell the story of its phenomenon? What should be done to ensure that residents and tourists stop to explore these sites rather than just passing by, wanting to learn more about their history?

In 2018 the tradition of creating nativity scenes in Kraków was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What secrets do these colourful works of art hold? What makes Kraków’s nativity scenes captivate generations? We encourage you to listen to the holiday episode of the “Holistic Heritage” podcast, where John Beauchamp and Dr Katarzyna Jagodzińska, in conversation with Dr Andrzej Szoka, head of the Centre for the Interpretation of Intangible Heritage of Kraków (a part of the Museum of Kraków), uncover their unique history, enriching Kraków’s festive atmosphere.

The commissioning of the oldest operating steam engine in Europe, the concert of the Post-Industrial Entertainment Orchestra – Radio Hoym, which played well-known electronic, rock and pop songs in Silesian, and the ceremonial hanging of the bronze plaque of the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award within the walls of the Historic Ignacy Mine…. this year’s European Barbórka will go down in history!

The tenth meeting of the Kraków Heritage Forum took place, focusing the participants’ attention on the Kraków Fortress. On 20 November 2024, representatives of NGOs, cultural institutions, and experts discussed the tourist and social potential of the Fortress as a significant element of Kraków’s heritage.

What an evening that was that was! After a much needed discussion on the future of Ukrainian heritage in Poland, we were entertained with a concert full of energetic sounds which flowed from the instruments of the HrayBery band and enchanted the audience.