‘Save Our Heritage’ is the appeal made by young people in the book presented to Maestro Domingo and Commissioner Vassiliou

Before the press conference at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on 16 June, Plácido Domingo, President of Europa Nostra, and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, received copies of an inspiring book entitled Protecting Art from Crime, Disputes and War, in which young people make a strong plea for the safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage, particularly in areas and times of conflict. The book was produced by Europa Nostra’s member organisation Walk of Truth. Its founder and President, Tasoula Georgiou-Hadjitofi, and the seventeen-year old student who wrote the letter to ‘persons in power’, Nicolas Rivard, presented the copies and talked about this initiative.

“‘It is a very interesting project which gathers many drawings, or seals of protection, made by young people from various countries. Each one is a powerful appeal to decision-makers for action. We need the passion, energy and commitment of young people. Europe’s heritage legacy is better-ensured when the voice of the younger generation is behind the cause”, said the President of Europa Nostra.

Developed by the Dutch-based NGO Walk of Truth, in collaboration with the British Schools in the Netherlands, this project challenged young people to reflect on heritage and cultural diversity. “I was overwhelmed by these magnificent drawings. These creative and meaningful shields of protection demonstrate that children can value cultural heritage and recognise it as a globally-shared resource”, said Tasoula Georgiou-Hadjitofi. Europa Nostra took part in this initiative by contributing an article written by its Secretary General, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, in response to the letter to ‘persons in power’ written by Nicolas Rivard.