The winners were selected from among this year’s 30 winning entries from 18 European countries.
The winners of European Heritage Awards 2022 / EuropaNostraAwards, of Europe’s top accolade in the field of cultural heritage, were honored at a prestigious ceremony held at the iconic Prague State Opera in the presence of: MariyaGabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, MartinBaxa , Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic and Deputy President of the EU Council of Ministers responsible for Culture, and HermannParzinger, Executive President of EuropaNostra. The event brought together around 600 heritage professionals, volunteers, enthusiasts and supporters from all over Europe, as well as a large group of young people. The award ceremony was the main event of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2022 taking place from 25 to 27 September in Prague, as part of the official program of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
During the ceremony, representatives of the European Commission and Europa Nostra proudly announced the five GrandPrix winners. The Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic announced the winner of the PublicChoiceAward. The winners were selected from among this year’s 30 winning entries from 18 European countries.
The 2022 GrandPrix winners are:
Costas Karras †, Athens, GREECE (posthumous)
Grand Prix for International relations
For more than 50 years, Costas Karras has worked for the cultural and natural heritage of Greece and Europe, to create a more sustainable, inclusive and beautiful world for future generations. He was a visionary conservationist, an eminent historian and a true European leader who united and inspired people from all over the world through cultural heritage.
SILKNOW, FRANCE / GERMANY / ITALY / POLAND / SLOVENIA / SPAIN
Grand Prix for Innovation
The Horizon 2020 project produced a comprehensive intelligent system that goes beyond existing technologies with the aim of improving our knowledge and understanding of the European heritage around the silk arts.
Agreement, SPAIN
Grand Prix for Digital Transformation
With an immersive audio-visual experience, “Symfonia”/Symphony achieves a wider awareness of new generations to appreciate the heritage of classical music more.
The rivers of Sofia, BULGARIA
Grand Prix for Social Cohesion and Well-Being
Through pop-up architectural interventions, cultural and educational events, this initiative transformed Sofia’s artificial riverbeds into publicly accessible spaces – for the first time in 80 years. By increasing the visibility of Sofia’s rivers, this initiative helped create a socially cohesive environment in the city.
Va’ Sentiero, ITALY
Grand Prix for Sustainability and Climate Change
A three-year expedition, formed as a grassroots movement by a group of young ardent supporters who walked and documented 8,000 km of Italy’s Sentiero, the world’s longest walking route, with 3,000 participants from 10 countries and a mix of many local communities. This initiative is a strong example of encouraging a gradual, sustainable engagement with natural heritage and landscapes.
The Grand Prix winners were selected by the Europa Nostra Board of Directors following the establishment of an independent expert jury and will receive a cash prize of €10,000 each.
The Audience Award was awarded to the initiative World Vyshyvanka Day / World Vyshyvanka Day, UKRAINE, an annual holiday celebrated worldwide that helps save the art of the iconic embroidered Ukrainian undershirt (vyshyvanka) which is an important part of Ukrainian cultural heritage. This impressive initiative received the largest number of votes, through online voting, with the participation of around 11,000 citizens from all over Europe. This year, for the first time, the winner of the Audience Award will receive a cash prize of €10,000.
THE Maria Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The EU Heritage Prize honors individuals and communities for their outstanding commitment to preserving our rich European heritage. Thanks to their tireless work, future generations will still be able to enjoy and be inspired by it. All the award winners epitomize excellence and I am delighted to share my warmest congratulations with them.”
In her congratulatory message, Cecilia Bartoli, the new President of Europa Nostra, emphasized: “Each of the winners of this year’s Prize brings us hope and inspiration as we join our voices and forces to build a better future for all. Their achievements are creative, innovative and truly exemplary. These winners are the most persuasive ambassadors for how best to restore, revitalize and strengthen Europe’s shared cultural heritage.”
Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, said: “At a particularly difficult time for Europe and the world, and while we congratulate all of this year’s winners, we would like to convey a message of support and solidarity to the people of Ukraine and to the many professionals and volunteers in heritage sector who continue to work there despite the invasion of their country by Russia. We are particularly proud that two of this year’s winners are from Ukraine: the outstanding restoration of St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv and the remarkable initiative World Vyshyvanka Day, which also won the coveted Audience Award.”
THE Martin Baxa, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic said: “I am particularly happy to learn that the International Vyshyvanka Day initiative has won the Audience Award. Vyshyvanka, the iconic embroidered shirt from Ukraine, is an important part of the heritage of the Ukrainian people. It gives me great pleasure to see World Vyshyvanka Day represented in the Czech Republic. Strengthening cultural heritage in Europe is our shared responsibility, on which we are constantly working. Supporting the protection and preservation of cultural heritage is also an integral part of the current Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union, especially at a time when the European continent is facing a military attack in Ukraine. Solidarity with Ukraine is strongly reflected in this year’s program of the European Cultural Heritage Summit and I believe that together, we can make an important contribution, helping Ukrainian cultural heritage in this difficult time.”
The European Heritage Awards ceremony was enhanced by the excellent Prague Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Chuhei Iwasaki. The hostess of the ceremony was Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra.
The Call for Nominations for the EuropeanHeritageAwards / EuropaNostraAwards 2023 will open next week. Nominations are submitted online via the website www.europeanheritageawards.eu until 18 November 2022.
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