European Heritage Label
Earlier this year the European Commission launched a proposal to introduce a European Heritage Label for the entire EU. The aim of the label is to highlight sites that bear witness to or are symbolic of European integration, ideals and history. Not just monuments and memorial sites but also cultural and natural landscapes will represent the common heritage.
Under the proposed new regulation all 27 member states are able to nominate a maximum of two sites a year for the new European heritage label. To be given a plaque on the façade the site needs to have been of great symbolic value for European history. A jury of independent experts would evaluate the nominations and choose one per country. Participation is voluntarily.
European Heritage
The European Heritage label was first launched in 2007 on an intergovernmental basis in 18 countries. Its aim was to use the potential of cultural heritage to promote a sense of European identity.
To date, a total of 64 sites have obtained the label. They include the Palais des Papes in Avignon, the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace Rundāle in Latvia and the Gdansk shipyards. In Belgium the Prince-Bishop's Palace of Liège is on the list.
“I believe that the European Heritage Label will help to increase public awareness of our common yet diverse cultural heritage as well as stimulate cultural tourism and intercultural dialogue”, stated Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
Unique initiative
The label differs from other initiatives in the field of cultural heritage such as the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Council of Europe’s ‘European Cultural Routes’. It only designates sites which have played a key role in the history of the European Union. Following the recognition by the European Council and the European Parliament, the European Heritage Label will gain credibility, visibility and prestige.