On 18 November 2024, the European Heritage Hub hosted its second ‘Heritage Dialogues’ webinar under the title ‘Cultural Heritage for a Regenerative Digital Transition in EU Neighbouring Countries’. Taking place as part of the ‘Heritage Horizons: Europeana Project Week’, the online event gathered around 250 participants.
After the first Heritage Dialogues event focused on democracy and inclusion, the second Heritage Dialogues turned its focus to digital transformation, emphasising the values of social and environmental responsibility. The webinar explored how these principles can empower the heritage sector in EU neighbouring countries to thrive and fulfill its public mission in the digital age. It also highlighted the opportunities for pan-European collaboration, reaching beyond the borders of the EU’s current membership.
Drawing inspiration from the European Heritage Hub’s Call to Action ‘Championing a responsible digital transition for and with cultural heritage’, the discussions centred on the work of peer partners in Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans and the Caucasus. Held under the framework of the Hub, the webinar was led by two partners: co-beneficiary the Europeana Foundation and Project Lead Europa Nostra.
Setting the scene
The Heritage Dialogues began with an inspiring message from Sofie Taes, Vice-Chair of the Europeana Network Association Management Board and Chair of the Europeana Initiative Working Group to Support the digital cultural heritage of Ukraine. Her welcoming remarks emphasised the importance of cooperation and of working as a network. She shared the ongoing efforts of the Europeana Initiative and its plans to expand engagement beyond the EU. Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Ukraine are already contributing data to Europeana.eu and have individual members in the Europeana Network Association, showcasing the growing collaboration with the EU’s neighbours.
Oleksandra Veselska then presented the Crimean Tatar Language project, winner of the Europeana Digital Heritage Nomination at Hatathon 2024. She shared how a group of volunteers is working to preserve the Crimean language – recognised by UNESCO as severely endangered – in the digital age. The challenges encountered include a shortage of computational linguists specialising in indigenous languages, generational gaps in digital literacy and language knowledge, and war and occupation-related obstacles. Despite these, Oleksandra recognised opportunities like community resilience and involvement as well as national and international exposure. “These challenges only fuel our determination to ensure that not only will the language survive, but it will also thrive“, she added.
In his remarks on behalf of the European Commission, Georg Häusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at DG for Education and Culture, emphasised the importance of the digital transition to cultural heritage and commended the Hub for involving the EU neighbourhood in this crucial discussion: “The Hub has established itself as a cornerstone to discuss heritage on a pan-European level“. He underlined the positive impact of digital across many areas – from addressing climate change to enhancing preservation and engaging audiences interactively, yet also highlighted the challenges that we must overcome collectively, such as the high cost of accessing technology, the digital divide, and the dominance of a few tech providers.
Panel discussion on digital transformation in the EU neighbourhood
A panel discussion brought together Hulé Kechichian, Senior Project Manager at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Armenia, Senada Demirović Habibija, President of the IDEAA Urban House Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and moderator Vesna Marjanovic, Secretary General of Europa Nostra Serbia. The conversation explored digital transformation in the field of cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Armenia, and more broadly in the EU neighbourhood.
Panelists discussed the ongoing digital divide between EU and non-EU countries and how this might shape future opportunities for cooperation. They stressed that, despite challenges like limited expertise, resources, socio-political issues, and the lack of a common market like the EU, we should see this gap as ‘a digital bridge’ rather than a divide. This shift in perspective encourages digital-driven heritage cooperation and the creation of a broader, pan-European heritage audience. They also highlighted the opportunities to foster innovation through exchange and, in conflict areas, use digital heritage to help pave the way for lasting peace.
Exploring the needs, challenges and opportunities of digital transformation
Participants were divided into two breakout rooms, to allow active discussions around the needs, challenges and opportunities of digital transformation. These engaging sessions were facilitated by moderators Amra Hadžimuhamedović, Director of the Centre for Cultural Heritage, International Forum Bosnia, and Jolan Wuyts from the Europeana Foundation.
Each group was kick-started by an inspiring conversation starter. In the first group, Ines Vodovipec, Deputy Director of the National and University Library of Slovenia and a member of the Europeana Network Association, shared insights into how the Europeana Country Group in Slovenia is collaborating with Armenia and North Macedonia on digital transformation initiatives. In the second group, Olena Zenchenko from the Museum of Stolen Art in Ukraine shared how this virtual museum offers digital copies of cultural heritage objects that have been destroyed or stolen by Russian occupiers.
Participants then reconvened in plenary to share their experiences and key takeaways. Following the webinar, a brief report will be compiled based on these discussions. It will contribute to broader project activities, such as the policy recommendations addressed to the newly elected EU Institutions, with the aim of duly involving and stimulating exchanges with EU neighbouring countries.
Closing and next steps
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra and Project Leader of the European Heritage Hub, delivered the concluding remarks and outlined the next steps. She emphasised the importance of pan-European cooperation with EU neighbouring countries, highlighting a shared European cultural space where heritage can play a crucial role in addressing challenges such as in conflict or post-conflict situations, and their associated societal issues. “We don’t only want to export, but also import expertise, creativity and determination from neighbouring countries to the EU. Transformative partnerships need equality, and the Hub is firmly committed to advance this vision“, she said.
The Project Leader also announced the next Heritage Dialogues webinar, which will take place at the beginning of 2025 and focusing on ‘Cultural Heritage for a Sustainable and Future-proof Europe’, following the presence of the European Heritage Hub at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Registrations will open soon, subscribe to the European Heritage Hub newsletter to receive the latest updates.
Watch the recording here.
