Europe set to be unlocked
31st August 2011
Europe-wide festival, Heritage Open Days, will see 50 countries open the doors to their cultural heritage sites, and all for free
Fifty countries across Europe, from Albania to Serbia, will be throwing open the doors of their historic monuments and buildings next month, all in the name of heritage.
The Council of Europe have created the Heritage Open Days to bring people closer to their cultural heritage and to spark an interest in local history. The properties that are opening are normally off-limits to the general public.
The Heritage Open Days website says the event will, “highlight not only the dazzling diversity of Europe’s heritage, but also its intercultural links.”
The UK is being represented by English Heritage’s Heritage Open Days, Open House London, Doors Open Days in Scotland, Open Doors Days in Wales and European Heritage Days in Northern Ireland.
Heritage Open Days in the UK will be from 8-11 September this year. Over 1,600 churches, castles, windmills and temples being open to the public, in England alone.
Guided walks, concerts, re-enactments, trails, role-plays and children’s activities are all set to enhance the exploration of the UK's cultural hot-spots.
Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage said, “Heritage Open Days is about people and places; it celebrates community and reflects the importance of the built environment in our lives and to our quality of life.
“It is organised by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and staging activities, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes Heritage Open Days happen.”
For more information on what's open where you are, go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk.
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