2024 European Heritage Awards Ceremony in Bucharest

07.10.2024

The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024, Europe's highest heritage award in Europe, were celebrated this evening in a high-profile event held in the iconic building of the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest. This year's Heritage Awards Ceremony was co-hosted by Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra.

The ceremony brought together some 800 heritage professionals, volunteers, enthusiasts and supporters from across Europe. Among the guests of honor were Prof. Dr. Sergiu Nistor, Presidential Adviser; Raluca Turcan, Minister of Culture of Romania; and Nicușor Dan, Mayor General of the Capital. The Awards Ceremony was the biggest event of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024, which is taking place in Bucharest on October 6-8. The Summit is organized by Europa Nostra and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, and takes place under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, His Excellency Klaus Iohannis.

During the Awards Ceremony, the five Grand Prix winners and the winner of the 2024 Audience Award were announced, each receiving a prize of €10,000. The Grand Prix winners were selected from among this year's 26 winners from 18 European countries by the Europa Nostra Council on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts.

The five Grand Prix 2024 winners are:

Ignacy Historic Mine, Rybnik, POLAND - Grand Prix Winner in the category of Conservation and Adaptive Reuse

This is a unique renovation project on the site of a former coal mine, one of the oldest in Poland, founded in 1792 and in operation for over 200 years. Through the efforts of former miners, the town of Rybnik, the Polish state and EU funds, the complex has been saved and adapted for new purposes as a cultural and recreational center.

Saxon Church in Alma Vii, ROMANIA - Grand Prix Winner in the Conservation and Adaptive Reuse category

This project restored a cultural landmark representing centuries of history and craftsmanship in the picturesque village of Alma Vii in Transylvania. The comprehensive restoration not only preserved the architectural and historical integrity of the church, but also strengthened the local community and promoted the development of sustainable tourism. The project, supported by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and EEA Grants, was coordinated by the Mihai Eminescu Foundation.

Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, IRELAND - Grand Prix Winner in the Education, Training and Skills category

The main objective of this national project is to help farmers recognize the cultural value of traditional farm buildings. Participants are supported in acquiring the necessary skills to carry out repairs aimed at restoring the buildings to functionality. Since the project started in 2008, over 1000 buildings have been repaired. It has been initiated by the Heritage Council in partnership with the Irish Government's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union through Ireland's Rural Development Program.

Citizens Rehabilitating Tsiskarauli Fortress, Akhieli, GEORGIA - Grand Prix Winner in the category of Citizen Involvement and Awareness

Over three years, 46 Georgian and international citizens worked alongside technical experts and traditional craftsmen to restore Tsiskarauli Fortress. The project raised awareness of the value of Georgian heritage within European heritage. The International National Trust Organization (INTO) was the lead partner, working closely with the National Trust Organization of Georgia, REMPART (France) and the Chudow Castle Foundation (Poland). The project was supported by a grant from ALIPH - the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Zones.

Society of Friends of Antiquities of Dubrovnik, CROATIA - Winner of the Grand Prix in the category Heritage Champions

This civil society association has funded and completed research and conservation projects on Dubrovnik's monuments, including the city walls, since 1952. The society was actively involved in the inclusion of the Old Town of Dubrovnik on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Since then, it has played a key role in ensuring the protection and improvement of this exceptional site.

The outstanding rehabilitation of the Saxon Church in Alma Vii, ROMANIA is the big winner of 2024: it received both a Grand Prix and the 2024 Audience Award. This impressive initiative received the highest number of votes, cast in an online poll involving some 10,000 citizens from all over Europe.

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: "Cultural heritage is the foundation of Europe's identity and diversity. I warmly congratulate the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 for their extraordinary achievements. They are proof of the power of heritage to inspire innovation, promote community involvement and support sustainable development on our continent. These projects highlight the importance of protecting our common cultural heritage while adapting it to the challenges of the future for the benefit of future generations."

Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, said: "I am delighted to be in Bucharest for this evening celebrating the best heritage projects and the most inspiring heritage champions - both individuals and organizations - from across Europe. The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2024 highlight the multiple values of heritage for Europe's society, environment and economy. Cultural heritage is a precious resource that needs to be carefully managed so that we can reap its many benefits for present and future generations. I wholeheartedly congratulate all the winners, in particular the Grand Prix winners and the winner of the People's Choice Award."

The European Heritage Awards Ceremony included musical moments performed by the Romanian symphonic ensemble Violoncellissimo, conducted by Prof. Marin Cazacu. The ceremony takes place annually during the European Cultural Heritage Summit. Co-funded by the European Union, the Bucharest Summit is organized by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with the Romanian Ministry of Culture, Bucharest City Hall, the Romanian Order of Architects, Pro Patrimonio Foundation, Monumentum Association, ARA - Architecture. Restaurare. Archaeology, ARCHÉ Association and other organizations and partners in the field of cultural heritage, both public and private.

The call for entries for the 2025 edition of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards is now open. Applications can be submitted online via www.europeanheritageawards.eu until November 20, 2024.

More information - in the press release.Photos from the event are at the link below and more will be added in the coming months: