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Live announcement of Europe’s 7 Most Endangered heritage sites for 2024

April 24, 2024 | Posted in 7 Most Endangered

Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute announced the 7 Most Endangered monuments and heritage sites in Europe for 2024 during an online event on 17 April, which brought together high-level stakeholders and partners of the 7 Most Endangered Programme, as well as nominators of selected sites. The webinar provided a platform for sharing firsthand insights into the pressing threats facing the sites, fostering an exchange of perspectives among the involved communities.

 

Reflecting on the success of the 7 Most Endangered Programme, Europa Nostra’s Executive Vice-President, Guy Clausse, noted: “A decade ago, we envisioned a path forward; today, we stand amidst tangible actions! Europa Nostra, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank Institute and the European Union, has forged direct connections with local communities spanning across Europe”.

The 7 Most Endangered Programme is made possible thanks to the support of the European Investment Bank Institute. Shiva Dustdar, Dean and Director of the EIB Institute, emphasised that the 2024 list mirrors the realities of our world today, showcasing our resilience in the face of threats, and our readiness to respond to crises, such as climate change, natural disasters, and conflict. “The innovative approach of the 7 Most Endangered Programme is the blend of expertise and advocacy from Europa Nostra alongside the technical appraisal, rescue planning, and financial acumen contributed by EIB staff and volunteers,” stated Shiva Dustdar.

In his address, Normunds Popens, Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission, recognised the vital value of cultural heritage to the European Union, helping people understand their European identity and advancing our economy. He emphasised that the 7 Most Endangered Programme brings visibility to Europe’s hidden potential of supporting social cohesion, local and territorial development, as well as innovation and sustainability.

During the online event, representatives of the nominator organisations were invited to deliver brief presentations of the selected sites, sharing their needs and hopes for the future. Their testimonies provided a virtual journey around Europe to discover these 7 endangered heritage treasures, fundamental to our shared past, culture, memory and identity.

7 Most Endangered 2024

Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra and moderator, emphasised the critical issue of cultural heritage destruction caused by natural disasters. She mentioned the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye; expressed solidarity with Denmark for the destruction of Copenhagen’s historic former stock exchange, and support for North Macedonia for the destruction of Skopje’s Universal Hall. On this matter, Europa Nostra’s Secretary General, underscored the importance of the Global Call to put Culture at the Heart of Climate Action. Addressing the ongoing armed conflicts in Europe and neighbouring regions, especially in Ukraine and Gaza, she stated: “Cultural heritage monuments are the ambassadors of our identity and our shared humanity.”

This year’s online event featured interventions from nominators of previously selected sites. Dr. Guilherme de Oliveira Martins, on behalf of the Centro Nacional de Cultura, who nominated the Carillons of the Mafra National Palace in Portugal (listed in 2014), highlighted the responsibility of the listed sites in preserving Europe’s heritage. Gaiane Casnati, on behalf of ArCH Armenian Cultural Heritage, who nominated the Archaeological Site of Ererouyk and village of Ani Pemza in Armenia (listed in 2016), discussed her collaborative efforts with Europa Nostra to safeguard Armenian heritage across Europe. “We are hopeful that Europa Nostra and all European institutions will begin to offer substantial support to ensure that the rich cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh people endures not only in their history but also in their future,” she said.

Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute concluded the webinar by announcing the Call for Nominations for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2025 is open and inviting all members and partners to share the news to reach out to as many communities across Europe and beyond.

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