This annual publication includes descriptions, jury citations, and contact details on the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. In 2022, marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s top awards in the heritage field, 31 outstanding best-practice examples for the safeguarding of heritage from 19 countries across Europe were awarded.
At a particularly trying time for Europe and the world, two awarded projects highlighted the tremendous dedication of the Ukrainian people to preserve their tangible and intangible heritage: St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv and World Vyshyvanka Day.
Many winning initiatives were born in response to the pandemic, showing the resilience of the heritage sector. Others give evidence of how the health emergency has changed the way we live. This is true of HOMEE, a European cooperation project that addresses mega-events in heritage cities and has closely examined lessons learned from events organized during the pandemic. Similarly, Va’ Sentiero from Italy was a timely response to the desire of many people to reconnect with nature and natural heritage during the pandemic, responding to the pressing need to change our way of life to contribute to climate action.
Several winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2022 are initiatives launched by young people or that effectively empower young people in their activities. For example, the project Masters and Apprentices from Finland engages with heritage to improve well-being among younger and older generations alike by providing greater accessibility to heritage and engaging all generations in heritage stewardship.
All the European heritage champions and success stories compiled in the European Heritage Awards 2022 publication convey a vital message: our shared cultural heritage is essential to a better, more peaceful, more sustainable, more inclusive, and more beautiful future.
