This annual publication includes descriptions, jury citations, and contact details on the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. In 2014, Europe’s highest honour in the field of cultural heritage was awarded to 27 laureates for their outstanding accomplishments and dedicated service to heritage in areas ranging from conservation and research to education, training, and awareness-raising.
In Germany, what is probably the oldest church library in the country, dating back to the 14th century, was excellently conserved thanks to the strong engagement of Barth’s local community. In Romania, the 17th-century frescoes of the Dragomirna church were restored to their former splendour by a team of 50 professionals and students from various countries. In Greece, a research project on Roman vaulted construction in the Peloponnese provides a fascinating overview of this type of building over a period of 400 years, drawing attention to the importance of its preservation.
In Austria, an association of volunteers is recognised for its 14 years of dedicated service to the rescue of the last studio of the famous Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and the promotion of his work. Initiated in Albania and extended to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia as well as Kosovo, a training and awareness-raising programme about local heritage is helping to preserve traditional techniques, build relations between young professionals, and foster reconciliation in the Balkans. These are just some of the 27 accomplishments from all over Europe honoured in 2014.
Since 2002, this awards scheme has contributed significantly towards further professionalism and structuring of the heritage sector, by highlighting the best practices, encouraging cross-border exchange of knowledge, and bringing together different stakeholders in wider networks.
