On 15 November 2024, the European Heritage Hub hosted the second webinar in its ‘Sharing Local Stories’ series, this time focusing on the role of cultural heritage in driving social transformation. The webinar series highlights initiatives identified through the Hub’s Open Call for Local Good Practices earlier this year.
The second edition brought together three practices from Portugal and Spain: the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum Continuity Project (Portugal), which seeks to establish long-term partnerships with schools and social solidarity institutions and create spaces where individuals can share their thoughts on the society they live in; the ‘Gesto do Fado’Project (Portugal), developed by the Fado Museum in Lisbon as a way to integrate the Deaf community into the experience of fado music; and The Medieval Garden (Spain), a project which focuses both on the rehabilitation of the medieval garden at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona and the inclusion of people with disabilities and marginalised communities, while addressing ecological transition through sustainable production cycle.
The event was implemented by Hub partners Eurocities, Europa Nostra, and Centro Nacional de Cultura, in cooperation with Acesso Cultura, a not-for-profit cultural association playing a central role in the development of inclusive practices in museums and other cultural spaces in Portugal.
A Call for Inclusive Societies
Opening remarks were given by Maria Vlachou, Executive Director of Acesso Cultura and a member of the European Heritage Hub’s Advisory Council, who emphasised the fundamental role that culture plays in the preservation and fostering of democracy, drawing inspiration from authors such as Justin O’Connor (Culture is Not an Industry, 2024), Ece Temelkuran (How to Lose a Country, 2019) and Joan Tronto (Caring Democracy, 2013).
Opening remarks were given by Maria Vlachou, Executive Director of Acesso Cultura and a member of the European Heritage Hub’s Advisory Council, who emphasised the fundamental role that culture plays in the preservation and fostering of democracy, drawing inspiration from authors such as Justin O’Connor (Culture is Not an Industry, 2024), Ece Temelkuran (How to Lose a Country, 2019) and Joan Tronto (Caring Democracy, 2013).
She noted that the Covid-19 Pandemic exposed the fragility of the cultural sector, while also revealing its intrinsic value. Politicians began to realise that art and culture should not be thought of as industries, but instead as tools that allow societies and individuals to reflect on what it means to be human. Following the lines of Culture Action Europe’s “State of Culture” report, which links culture with health, well-being, and societal connections, Vlachou argued that culture should move back to the sphere of public responsibility and be seen as an integral part of discussions around human rights, climate regeneration and ethical governance.
“Citizen participation is fundamental for democracy, but can be hindered by various social, economic and political barriers”, stated Maria Vlachou.
From the local perspective, as underlined in the event’s introduction by Julie Hervé, Head of Culture at Eurocities, cultural heritage shapes the identities of cities and regions and contributes to social cohesion. Local governments’ strategies for culture and cultural heritage are increasingly connected to other global issues, in particular social inclusion, sustainable development, and empowering communities. The results of a 2024 Eurocities Pulse survey collecting answers from almost 100 mayors in Europe showed that while climate change remains the top priority for European mayors, they also currently pay much more attention to social inclusion in comparison to last year: one out of three mayors highlights actions promoting social inclusion and equity as one of their top three priorities.
Practical Examples: Empowering Communities through Culture
The speakers shared innovative approaches to integrating diverse audiences and highlighted the importance of co-creation, collaboration, and the need for museums and cultural institutions to serve as inclusive spaces that reflect and respond to the communities they serve.
Through one of Bordalo Pinheiro Museum’s continuity projects (“Cuff as a Philosophic Gesture”), students from a secondary school in Lisbon engaged in discussions about themes like prejudice, love, conflict, and freedom that resulted in the curation of an exhibition and a documentary.Meanwhile, the Gesto do Fado project facilitated dialogue and close collaboration with the Deaf community, recognising deafness not as a disability, but as a cultural identity. Finally, the Medieval Garden project in Barcelona promoted historical awareness and sustainability, while also integrating people with disabilities and creating a support network that has enhanced participants’ well-being and quality of life.
Ferran Urgell, Accessibility Advisor from the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities of the Barcelona City Council, shared insights on how research measured the improvements in participants’ lives through the Medieval Garden Project, revealing that cultural activities had a measurable positive impact on emotional and physical well-being.
When asked about co-creating activities, both Ferran Urgell and Liliana Pina, Coordinator of the Education Department at the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum), emphasised that long-term relationships with participants and active involvement were central to their projects. For the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum, this goes from involving the local community in the programming, treating it as a political act, to reshaping museum practices and ensuring these become spaces where everyone has a voice. For Sara Pereira, Director of the Fado Museum, putting Deaf people at the centre of the decision-making process, involving them from the very beginning and throughout all stages is a fundamental aspect of Gesto do Fado. This includes the selection of the poems, the recording setup, and on stage during the concerts.
The discussion also addressed how the projects could be replicated in other local contexts. Sara Pereira noted the adaptability of the Fado project to other musical domains, while Liliana Pina pointed to the potential for applying critical thinking and human rights framework to engage diverse audiences. Ferran Urgell expressed interest in expanding the medieval garden project, sharing an example of a related municipal practice (the ‘Rooftop Garden’ project), which was part selected as a winner in the ‘New European Bauhaus Champions‘ category.
Read more about the projects and speakers here.
About the webinar series
Following a Call for Local Good Practices, the European Heritage Hub identified cultural heritage initiatives that contribute to the green, digital and social transformation of our society.
These initiatives are being shared through an ongoing webinar series which focuses on how
good practices have been implemented on local or regional levels. The webinars present inspirational stories and practical examples while engaging in a wider conversation on the role of cultural heritage in an urban context. The series is being implemented by the Hub project partners Eurocities and Europa Nostra, with the involvement of various Hub partners as content contributors, selected based on their expertise.
The next webinar in the series is scheduled for early 2025. To stay informed with the latest updates, make sure to subscribe to the Hub’s newsletter.
Access the webinar recording here.
