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	<title>Culture &#8211; Interpret Europe</title>
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	<description>Serving all who use first-hand experiences to give natural and cultural heritage a deeper meaning</description>
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	<title>Culture &#8211; Interpret Europe</title>
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		<title>Interpreting with the LGBTQIA+ community in mind</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/interpreting-with-the-lgbtqia-community-in-mind/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 10:58:55 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[A new free guide supporting confident, care-led LGBTQIA+ interpretation through ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/interpreting-with-the-lgbtqia-community-in-mind/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>A new free guide supporting confident, care-led LGBTQIA+ interpretation through practical questions and real-world examples is available from AHI.</b><b><br />
</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heritage professionals are increasingly engaging with LGBTQIA+ histories, lives and experiences, yet many report uncertainty about how to do so responsibly, confidently and with care. Questions around language, representation, consultation, organisational context and public response can feel complex, particularly when there is no single ‘right’ way to proceed.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">In response to this, the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) has recently published a new Best Practice Guidance on LGBTQIA+ Heritage Interpretation, developed collaboratively by a working group of LGBTQIA+ interpreters from across the sector. Rather than offering prescriptive rules or checklists, the guide is structured around a set of open, practical questions designed to support reflection, discussion and better decision-making in real-world contexts.</span></p>
<p>The guidance is aimed at interpreters working in any heritage setting, museums, galleries, archives, historic sites or community projects, and at any scale or budget.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Its core premise is simple &#8211; good LGBTQIA+ interpretation begins not with certainty, but with thoughtful questioning. The guide invites teams to pause and consider where they are starting from, how care is embedded in their work, who is involved in shaping interpretation, how words and images are used, and how organisations respond to feedback or challenge. There are no right or wrong answers, just more informed, thoughtful ones that emerge through reflection, collaboration and care. </span>A key strength of the guide is its emphasis on process. It was developed through shared discussion and debate – through a working group of LGBTQIA+ interpreters representing a breadth of practice in natural, cultural and historic interpretation; activism; design; writing; collections; communications; in-person interpretation; interpretive planning and a range of career stages and geographies. It quickly became clear that queer interpretation is far too complex for a simple list of ‘dos and don’ts’. The resulting guide reflects the reality that LGBTQIA+ heritage interpretation is not a single story, voice or approach. This collaborative development really mattered to us. Interpretation is rarely at its best when created in isolation. Multiple perspectives strengthen practice. And in work that seeks to address LGBTQIA+ heritage, lived experience, collaboration and care are essential. Case studies and suggested further reading offer inspiration rather than templates, while a short glossary supports those who may be new to the terminology often used in this field.</p>
<p>Importantly, the guidance also acknowledges the organisational context in which interpretation takes place. It encourages heritage professionals to consider values, ethics and institutional responsibility alongside creativity and storytelling, and to distinguish between genuine questions from audiences and bad faith responses that may require firm boundaries. In line with AHI’s commitment to inclusive and ethical practice, the guide is free to download and intended for international use. While developed within a UK and Ireland context, its questions and principles are designed to be adaptable across different cultural, legal and institutional landscapes. Ultimately, the guide does not aim to provide definitive answers. Instead, it offers a framework for better conversations, conversations that can support more authentic, confident and care-led LGBTQIA+ heritage interpretation over time.</p>
<p><b>Download the free guide here:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><a href="https://ahi.org.uk/resource/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://ahi.org.uk/resource/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation/</span></a></p>
<p><b>Find out more about AHI here:</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><a href="https://ahi.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://ahi.org.uk/</span></a></p>
<p><b>Free webinar</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to the guide, AHI is also hosting a free webinar: LGBTQIA+ heritage interpretation.<br />
</span>When? Thursday 21 May 2026 at 17.00 BST/ 18.00 CEST<br />
Join us for this online session where we will showcase the contents of the new guide, discuss how we attempted to ‘queer’ the interpretation process and highlight some of the case studies from across the UK and Ireland.</p>
<p>Queer heritage is embedded in society and can be found in museums, galleries, heritage properties, outdoor sites and beyond. But some interpreters tell us they are unsure as to how to approach this subject. This guidance and webinar aim to offer some reassurance, some insight and some inspiration through reference to some inspirational queer interpretation. There will be time for questions and conversation during the session. The webinar will be hosted by Steve Slack (FAHI) with members of the collective who created the best practice guide. Find out more and register here: <a href="https://ahi.org.uk/event/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation-webinar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ahi.org.uk/event/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation-webinar/</a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Danni Gilbert</strong> is Marketing &amp; Communications lead at the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI). She works with heritage organisations to support inclusive, ethical interpretation practice and leads on sector wide guidance, campaigns and knowledge sharing initiatives. Contact: </span><a href="mailto:marketing@ahi.org.uk"><span style="font-weight: 400;">marketing@ahi.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Steve Slack</strong> is a heritage interpretation consultant in the UK and a Fellow of the Association of Heritage Interpretation (FAHI). His current work focusses on including audiences in participative exhibition making processes and in engaging visitors through interpretive experiences that provoke dialogue and active meaning making. He can be contacted at: </span><a href="mailto:steve@steveslack.co.uk"><span style="font-weight: 400;">steve@steveslack.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><strong data-start="64" data-end="89">To cite this article:</strong><br data-start="89" data-end="92" />Gilbert, Danni &amp; Slack, Steve (2026) “Interpreting with the LGBTQIA+ community in mind”, <em data-start="181" data-end="210">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> Spring 2026, p. 28.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IE-newsletter-2026-1-spring.pdf"><em data-start="249" data-end="290">Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026</em></a>.</p>
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		<title>NextGen Heritage Ambassadors</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/nextgen-heritage-ambassadors/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 10:54:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://interpret-europe.net/?p=12958</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[An important milestone for youth engagement in Europe’s cultural heritage ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/nextgen-heritage-ambassadors/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>An important milestone for youth engagement in Europe’s cultural heritage landscape.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://37kq9.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeG13G9phKlMuQND9kOpt/o9q8NyhZjSpI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Youth.Heritage.Europe</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, together with </span><a href="https://37kq9.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeG7uiIeeVvWOWCVtihQ9/MWblCA2SKrpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Europa Nostra</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — Project Leader of the </span><a href="https://37kq9.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeGEmARTbh5fsc1odh00P/BqHOvxoIjMNe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>European Heritage Hub</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — is proud to announce the NextGen Heritage Ambassadors (NGHA).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following a highly competitive selection process with more than 300 applicants, 12 exceptional young professionals and students from across Europe have been selected to join this newly established advisory group. The NGHA places young voices at the heart of the European Heritage Hub, ensuring that emerging perspectives actively shape the future of Europe’s cultural heritage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over the next two years, the NextGen Heritage Ambassadors will act as youth advisors, advocates, and co-creators, bringing fresh ideas, creativity, and energy into strategic discussions. Their work will focus on key challenges and opportunities facing the heritage sector today — from climate change and social justice to digitalisation, participation, and intergenerational dialogue.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chaired and coordinated by Youth.Heritage.Europe, with the support of Europa Nostra, the NGHA complements the work of the Advisory Council by strengthening the Hub’s commitment to youth engagement, innovation, and long-term sustainability.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We invite you to discover the 12 NextGen Heritage Ambassadors and learn more about the inspiring individuals behind this initiative — the voices shaping what comes next for Europe’s cultural heritage!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meet the youth ambassadors: </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.europeanheritagehub.eu/hub-unveils-12-new-nextgen-heritage-ambassadors-to-guide-youth-priorities-in-heritage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.europeanheritagehub.eu/hub-unveils-12-new-nextgen-heritage-ambassadors-to-guide-youth-priorities-in-heritage/</span></a></p>
<p>To cite this article: “NextGen Heritage Ambassadors”, <em data-start="156" data-end="185">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> Spring 2026, p. 27.<br />
Available online:<a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IE-newsletter-2026-1-spring.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <em data-start="224" data-end="265">Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026</em></a>.</p>
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		<title>Why can’t interpretation do more to tackle society’s problems?</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2026/why-cant-interpretation-do-more-to-tackle-societys-problems/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 10:50:14 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://interpret-europe.net/?p=12952</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[We consider ten ways to make heritage interpretation more holistic ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/news/2026/why-cant-interpretation-do-more-to-tackle-societys-problems/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>We consider ten ways to make heritage interpretation more holistic for greater impact.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interpretation might play on a field two sizes too small. Of course, you may not be sure if your interpretation does or not, until you zoom beyond the small field. It is hard to imagine the feel of playing inside a major soccer stadium if you have only ever played on a local field.<br />
</span>To upscale, both the way interpreters think and do must take in more of the big picture by including previously hidden dimensions, perspectives, forces, and goals. Below, I share five ways of thinking and five ways of doing more holistically to reach that stadium.</p>
<p><b>Thinking</b></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Integrate natural and cultural heritage</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chopping heritage into parts hides the larger picture. In fact, people often regard culture as separate from nature because they see humans as separate. But the larger evolutionary process since the Big Bang has been leaving evidence of its work across galactic, geologic, biological, cultural, and technological dimensions, all part of one universal process. So, one way to think more holistically is to interpret the universal journey that creates all heritage.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>See through multiple perspectives</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interpreters often interpret from a single perspective. It is the safest but least impactful way. We can view every object, whether pea or planet, through multiple lenses. These lenses can be physical or they can be through different worldviews. Visitors do not transform their perspectives or grow into better people simply by wearing the same glasses. We only grow when challenged. One way to challenge is to interpret from multiple perspectives.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Meet people where they are or bring them along</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Typically, interpretation meets audiences where they are, that is, they translate or interpret ideas into an audience’s language-mindset. Interpreters must understand which worldview their audience holds and which they themselves embrace to jump the gap between them. But another tool less employed is transformation: rather than meet the audience where it is, interpreters meet them and then bring them to where the interpreter is. Transformation increases consciousness and introduces new values. Though more challenging, transformation is ultimately key for interpreters who aspire to broaden perspectives and inspire engagement with the world around us.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Connect with non-physical realities</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Humans have always coexisted with the divine, spirits, and ancestors. But when modernism arrived, it rejected the intangible, spiritual, otherworldly as unmeasurable, unprovable, and non-existent. It then explained away inner personal experiences as electrical currents pulsing through grey matter. Surveys show that most people believe in God, ghosts, energy bodies, life after death, or greater universal purpose. Science itself researches consciousness fields, extrasensory perception, reincarnation, while UNESCO designates intangible heritage. So, one way to include more universe is to tell stories about non-physical phenomena that represent how many cultures experience their heritage.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Promote human and community development</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Evermore, people advocate that interpretation should build something beyond visitor knowledge and awareness. The field can contribute to human and community development. Many interpreters already practice </span><a href="https://empaths-project.eu/news-en/announcing-the-empaths-baseline-understanding-the-current-state-of-participatory-heritage-interpretation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">participatory interpretation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and UNESCO/Interpret Europe’s </span><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10645578.2023.2218791#abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">values-based interpretation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Some use interpretation to manage and conserve heritage. Others facilitate community-based processes to collectively interpret heritage for community benefit.</span></p>
<p><b>Doing</b></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Write universal themes, and tell universal stories</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While interpreting frog maturation and Roman architecture has its place, people transform when they grapple with bigger, more existential realities that challenge them to contemplate civilisation, human history, evolution, and the universe. While no theme or story is immune to change, interpreters who write themes and tell stories about beauty, truth, and goodness can captivate, provoke thought, and deepen consciousness.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Train holistically</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Too often, one-off trainings benefit instructors more than students. Students can even lose motivation when they return home with new ideas and practices only to find that no one understands or supports them. Piecemeal trainings occur when trainers sequester students at locations that bear no resemblance to real work environments. They focus only on student performance without considering the influence of colleagues, supervisors, policies, or the social context where they work. They overlook trainees’ psychological wellbeing. They try to make one curriculum fit all… A holistic approach transcends these problems.</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Design experience opportunity spaces, not just interpretive media</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interpretive media most often focus on just a single intervention and audience effect, whether a human guide, signage, or exhibitry. But this narrow field of view excludes many factors that sculpt visitor opportunities to live an experience. Consider a circus tent. Within that controlled space, different designers synchronise their control of lighting, music, smells, actors such as clowns and animals, symbols and decorations, movements, visitor flow, visitor interactions, food, temperature, timing, object authenticity, and of course meanings and messages trumpeted by the ringmaster. A more holistic interpretation manages multiple interacting conditions through which visitors pass.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><b>Use interpretive standards at multiple levels </b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interpretive standards almost always focus on individual interpreters even though many goals can only be achieved by teams and communities. Interpretation occurs at different levels of organisation. While individuals may offer programmes, teams design exhibits, and communities manage heritage.</span><b></b></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><b>Plan holistically</b></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Modernist interpretive planning employs a technical, expert-driven, data-intensive approach that often excludes real participation of other non-technical stakeholders resulting in a published, polished plan that cannot be updated, ends on the shelf, and is ignored by stakeholders. A holistic approach considers feelings, aspirations, and beliefs of individuals; the culture that shapes community beliefs; planning skills of community members and interpretive planners; the laws and systems that govern planning, interpretation, and implementation. Holistic planning considers all these and other factors to increase the chance that an interpretive plan not only gets implemented but creates desired results in the world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Playing on the larger field means playing with a broader field of view. By thinking and doing more holistically we launch greater impact in society. But the real question is not whether interpretation can play on a larger field, but whether we have the courage to step onto it in the first place.<br />
</span><i>A longer version of this article, including graphics and references, was originally published online in February 2026. You can see the full article here: </i><a href="https://jonkohl.medium.com/10-ways-to-make-interpretation-more-holistic-for-greater-impact-1af218054f84" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Medium.com</i></a><i>. </i></p>
<p><strong>Jon Kohl</strong> is an interpretive planner, author, and researcher whose work explores how narratives shape meaning, decision-making, and collective futures in natural-cultural heritage contexts. Jon is the executive director of the PUP Collaboratory and can be contacted at: <a href="mailto:jon@pupcollaboratory.net">jon@pupcollaboratory.net</a>.</p>
<p>To cite this article: Kohl, Jon (2026) “Why can’t interpretation do more to tackle society’s problems?”, <em data-start="191" data-end="220">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> Spring 2026, p. 24–26.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IE-newsletter-2026-1-spring.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em data-start="262" data-end="303">Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026</em></a>.</p>
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		<title>Interpret Europe Mentoring Programme</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/interpret-europe-mentoring-programme/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:51:24 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Following our recent announcement about the new Interpret Europe Mentoring ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/other/2026/interpret-europe-mentoring-programme/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="text-build-content">Following our recent announcement about the new Interpret Europe Mentoring Programme, we’re delighted to invite you to our first online workshop marking the start of the 2026 cycle!</p>
<p class="text-build-content"><strong>About the programme</strong></p>
<p class="text-build-content">Interpret Europe has teamed up with Italian VET provider and cultural participation specialist Melting Pro, to run a professional mentoring and peer support programme for heritage interpreters over the next three years.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">The programme is designed for a wide range of heritage professionals: freelance interpreters and trainers at different stages of their careers, those newly entering the field, as well as experienced practitioners interested in becoming mentors. It aims to provide personalised support for professional development, encourage knowledge-sharing, and strengthen both individual practice and the interpretive community as a whole.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">Through online workshops, mentoring training, peer mentoring sessions and structured opportunities for exchange, the programme addresses both professional and soft skills, supporting sustainable career paths in a dynamic and evolving sector. Click here for <a class="link-build-content" href="https://interpret-europe.net/mentoring-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>full details</u></a>.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">First workshop – save the date and register now!</p>
<p class="text-build-content">The introductory online workshop will take place on:<br />
<strong>Wednesday, 18 February 2026 </strong><br />
<strong>16:00–18:00 CET</strong></p>
<p class="text-build-content">This first session will focus on self-branding, digital presence, and audience engagement, reflecting key needs identified through the launch survey. We are pleased to welcome Steve Slack as guest speaker, who will share practical insights and inspiration for professional growth.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">During the session, Interpret Europe and Melting Pro will also explain how the mentoring programme will work in practice, including the matching process, roles, availability, and next steps. Time will be reserved for questions and clarifications.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">To participate, please register <a class="link-build-content" href="https://forms.gle/Ym59vB2HL6D3h1Q48" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>here</u></a>.</p>
<p class="text-build-content">Google Meet link: <a class="link-build-content" href="https://meet.google.com/vrr-wbjk-iru" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>https://meet.google.com/vrr-wbjk-iru</u></a></p>
<p class="text-build-content">Please note that roles allocation and mentor–mentee matching will take place after this first workshop.</p>
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		<title>New for 2026! IE training programme scholarship scheme</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2026/new-for-2026-ie-training-programme-scholarship-scheme/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:53:59 +0000</pubDate>
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			<p>Our training programme is one of the hallmarks of Interpret Europe. Reflecting our mission and vision, its purpose is to foster a community of highly competent professional consultants and/or trainers who can demonstrate the value of heritage and the profession of heritage interpretation from local communities to strategic bodies.</p>
<p>Each year, we offer a wide range of training opportunities across Europe and beyond provided by our expanding community of dedicated certified trainers.<br />
While we strive hard to make IE certified training courses as affordable as possible, we recognise that taking part represents a significant financial investment for all participants, but especially freelancers new to the profession or planning to join it.</p>
<p>That’s why, we are pleased to announce a new training programme scholarship scheme for early-career freelancers, students or those looking for employment in the heritage sector, typically on low incomes.<br />
The scheme runs from 2026 to 2028 and offers a limited number of annual awards for IE training courses worth up to 50% of the course fees, or for travel and subsistence if a course is provided free of charge, to a maximum of 300 euros in either case.<br />
For further details on eligibility, conditions and the application process, please see the scholarship scheme guidelines <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/training/ie-courses/scholarship-scheme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>So, whether you are a new heritage professional or plan to make your career in heritage, and you see heritage interpretation as a key competency to advance your professional offer, we hope this new scheme can provide you with a welcome boost to justify your decision to become a heritage interpreter.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-12520" src="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-300x63.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="63" srcset="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-300x63.jpg 300w, https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-1024x215.jpg 1024w, https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-768x161.jpg 768w, https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-1536x322.jpg 1536w, https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-2048x430.jpg 2048w, https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-600x126.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.</p>

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		<title>The #iecon26 conference in Portugal is simply a must</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/the-iecon26-conference-in-portugal-is-simply-a-must/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:15:14 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Co-creation sessions, artivism and south Portuguese landscapes are just some ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/the-iecon26-conference-in-portugal-is-simply-a-must/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Co-creation sessions, artivism and south Portuguese landscapes are just some of the experiences our conference has never offered before. </b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join us to co-create our Interpret Europe conference 2026: Re-interpreting Heritage in the Light of Faro, which will take place in Faro, Portugal in April. We will explore how heritage interpretation can strengthen democratic values, foster dialogue, and connect people with both cultural and natural heritage in meaningful ways. Faro is the birthplace of the Faro Convention, a milestone in people-centred, value-based approaches to heritage, making it the perfect setting to reflect on how interpretation can contribute to inclusive, sustainable communities across Europe.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To this end, we will organise group discussions and open space sessions and invite you to shape and co-create the future of interpretation with colleagues from all around Europe and beyond.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, our standard programme with presentations and workshops remains, so you are warmly invited  to consider your own contribution by </span><a href="https://www.interpreteuropeconference.net/theme#h.ugenn95fjbkc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">submitting an abstract</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (and later a full paper) by 5 January. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As always, we will peek beyond the conference halls and visit numerous places in the Faro region. Whether your passion is culture, gastronomy, or nature, there will be something for everyone to remember this remarkable corner of Portugal forever.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You will be able to choose from six long study visits and at least six short ones, making the selection really hard.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Will you be tempted to visit the</span><b> Loulé Rock Salt Mine</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, one of the most important geological sites of the Geoparque Algarvensis? 230 metres below the surface we will not only marvel at the magnificent underground world but also discuss </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">how interpretation could help small businesses to find new ways forward in times of globalisation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or, will you prefer to go to the </span><b>archaeological site of Milreu</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, surrounded by a serene agricultural landscape. We will rest our senses by wandering through the remains of a luxurious Roman villa and ponder over the succession of beliefs and cultural practices that shaped the south of the Iberian Peninsula. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The group visiting the </span><b>Eco-Cork Factory</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will learn about </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">one of Portugal’s greatest natural </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">treasures and one of its most exported products worldwide. In this family-run factory the love for cork has been passed down from generation to generation. Here, the ancestral knowledge of cork harvesting and transformation is preserved and at the same time adapted to modern times.</span></p>
<p><b>‘</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The cubist town’ of </span><b>Olhão,</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> an ancient fishing village, is a living testimony of the historical interconnection of locals with the ocean. We will trace the paths of legends, immersing ourselves in narratives that have influenced lives for centuries. Here, stories of fishermen, sailors and local folklore have woven a rich tapestry of identity. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or maybe you will choose to hop aboard a boat and experience the stunning </span><b>Ria Formosa</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> with its barrier islands, salt marshes and sand dunes as well as its rich flora and fauna. In conversation with local fishermen committed to sustainable practices, we&#8217;ll discuss the ecological challenges they face and the strategies they use to adapt to a changing world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A bunch of short visits will let us explore Faro itself and its near surroundings, its landmarks, hidden gems and the most determinant moments in its history. Whether you chose a museum, the science centre, the digital visitor centre, a guided tour along the beach, a hike on the Ludo trail in the nature reserve or a tour up on the roofs of Faro or in its narrow streets – you will find plenty of food for lively discussions that align with our conference theme. Tastings of food and wine at sunset will round off our days. But this is not all! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parallel to our conference, our local organisers &#8211; Sciaena organisation &#8211; will be holding their annual </span><b>Marmotto festival.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This will be our unique chance to enjoy some artivism through a lively cultural event that blends music, interactive art, talks and performances inviting visitors to think about ocean conservation and expression through creativity. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To round up our Portuguese adventure, join us on one of the </span><b>post-conference tours to Évora or the Geopark Algarvensis.</b><b><br />
</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are good reasons why Évora will be the European Capital of Culture in 2027. A walk in the city centre is like a journey through 2000 years of Portuguese history.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ll go on a guided tour visiting Évora’s most remarkable historic sites, including haunting chapels, ancient aqueducts, and serene gardens, and learn about the challenges and expectations of this UNESCO World Heritage city.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nature lovers should definitely not miss the post-conference tour UNESCO Geopark Algarvensis, a unique landscape of striking cliffs, hidden caves, and dramatic rock formations shaped over millions of years. We will learn about the region’s geological history, and discover the rich biodiversity of the area. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, before we get there, you should be aware of these deadlines so you don’t miss out on preparation for the conference:</span></p>
<p><b>Call for papers deadline:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 5 January</span></p>
<p><b>Early bird registration until:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 1 March</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://www.interpreteuropeconference.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">conference website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will be our most reliable signpost and information desk before we will meet in April so keep an eye on that for any extra information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bettina Lehnes is IE’s Event Coordinator. She can be contacted at: </span><a href="mailto:bettine.lehnes@interpret-europe.net"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bettina.lehnes@interpret-europe.net</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IE-newsletter-2025-4-winter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newsletter winter 2025</a><br />
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		<title>Learning Landscapes symposium – Call for proposals</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/learning-landscapes-symposium-call-for-proposals/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:13:27 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Are you ready to contribute to the Learning Landscape initiative ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/learning-landscapes-symposium-call-for-proposals/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Are you ready to contribute to the Learning Landscape initiative symposium in February?</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the joint Learning Landscapes initiative, Interpret Europe and UNESCO are organising an online symposium, which will take place on 26-27 February 2026. It will address the role of narratives in 21st century heritage interpretation, and we are calling for your contributions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heritage interpretation is changing. Once focused on entertaining storytelling, it is now more about sharing experiences, inviting dialogue and empowering people to interpret for themselves. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But how do we navigate the diverse &#8211; and sometimes conflicting &#8211; narratives around heritage?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Narratives are interpretive frames shared by many. They place heritage phenomena in a meaningful context and influence what we remember, and how we form our beliefs. Strong narratives can connect, heal, and inspire but they can also divide, silence, or distort. Engaging with multiple narratives requires new skills and opens new questions, which we aim to address in our symposium.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can find the questions we want to address on the IE website here:</span></p>
<p><a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/symposium_lli_questions.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/symposium_lli_questions.pdf</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We welcome not only academic papers but also invite you to share your own experiences, present our own ideas, or simply stimulate and facilitate exchange on a particular question. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please select the format that best suits you from </span><a href="http://0w5on.mjt.lu/lnk/AW0AAIcyJ0gAAc6GNzAAAAlDzAIAAAAAqgcAAReqABjjsQBpLegZ0IjGpoy_TxGBpz3RwKXzqgAYQAk/2/ssJ7mjeem__5-dDGbXCP1A/aHR0cHM6Ly9kb2NzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20vZm9ybXMvZC9lLzFGQUlwUUxTZFBJMW1SOHVSaXlMUFY3Z0ZpdTl6bFMwZjRJdnNhTGNDcmFTOU5ZaU1BUURQX253L3ZpZXdmb3Jt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>our submission form</b></a><b>,</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> which we need to receive by 9 January 2026.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are much looking forward to your proposals!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IE-newsletter-2025-4-winter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newsletter winter 2025</a></span></p>
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		<title>Culture Compass for Europe</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/other/2025/culture-compass-for-europe/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:10:54 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://interpret-europe.net/?p=12604</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The European Commission’s report, published in November, sets out the ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/other/2025/culture-compass-for-europe/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>The European Commission’s report, published in November, sets out the importance of cultural heritage – with implications for interpretation.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you heard about the Culture Compass report? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was published in November by the European Commission, presented by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, Youth and Sport. It i</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">s available here:</span></p>
<p><a href="https://culture.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-11/Communication%20-%20Culture%20Compass%20with%20cover_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://culture.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-11/Communication%20-%20Culture%20Compass%20with%20cover_0.pdf</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This strategic document recognises culture and cultural heritage as a cornerstone of Europe’s security, resilience, democracy, competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainable development. This forward-looking framework is designed to shape the EU’s cultural policy by ensuring that culture plays a central role in fostering European identity, celebrating diversity and promoting excellence. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It will guide EU policies in four key directions, for an EU that: 1. upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights; 2. empowers artists and cultural professionals, and supports people; 3. draws on culture and cultural heritage to become more competitive, resilient and cohesive; and 4. champions international cultural relations and partnerships.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the European Heritage Alliance, the European Heritage Hub Consortium, and other organisations have already publicly supported the document and agree with the call for the strategy set out to be adequately funded, including allocating at least 2% of the next EU budget to culture.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Manos Vougioukas, Secretary-General of the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) stated: “As the only pan-European network for cultural tourism with over 40 members in 21 countries, we very much welcome and endorse this awaited Culture Compass, given that it recognises and highlights the synergies of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">City leaders in the Eurocities network “strongly support the EU’s new Culture Compass and are ready to help translate its ambitions into action at the local level. They urge the EU to match this vision with robust funding—especially through the Agora EU programme, Creative Europe, and cultural priorities embedded in broader EU budgets. The Compass addresses key challenges facing Europe’s cultural and creative sectors, promotes democracy and artistic freedom.” (Taken from the Culture Compass Reaction Statements shared by the European Heritage Alliance)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NEMO, the Network of European Museum Organisations, actively contributed to the Culture Compass for Europe by emphasising the independence of cultural organisations and the indispensable role of museums. Through its advocacy, Europe’s 30,000 museums are recognised as democratic spaces that foster learning, social cohesion, and well-being. NEMO’s positioning highlights museums as central actors in addressing cultural challenges such as participation, resilience, and rights within the EU’s strategic framework.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This new Culture Compass strategy obviously has positive implications for heritage interpretation, and IE’s values-based approach could be key in helping communities reach their potential through the people-centred co-creative interpretive processes for which we advocate. Keep an eye on the potential funding streams that may come out of this Culture Compass – it might be fruitful to help us steer the right course for heritage interpretation under this framework.</span></p>
<p>To cite this article: Interpret Europe News Team  “Culture Compass for Europe”, <em data-start="218" data-end="247">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> 4-2025 (Winter 2025), p. 27–28.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IE-newsletter-2025-4-winter.pdf">Newsletter winter 2025</a></p>
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		<title>Living Images: A creative tool for interpreters of history</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/living-images-a-creative-tool-for-interpreters-of-history/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:05:37 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[An innovative, human-centered interpretive project using living history to engage ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/living-images-a-creative-tool-for-interpreters-of-history/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>An innovative, human-centered interpretive project using living history to engage communities interactively and personally with Croatian heritage.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Living Images project at the Zagreb City Museum represents an innovative museological interpretation model based on the method of living history, which was the first of its kind in Croatia. Launched in 2000, this programme was designed as a platform for interactive and personally narrated presentations of history through the roles of curators, who assume the personas of historical figures closest to their interests and expertise. Over the years, the project has developed and attracted external participants, including colleagues from other museums, public institutions, friends, and family members. Individuals could choose characters and roles from history or everyday life, allowing visitors to gain a deeper, more personal experience of history. It is much easier to remember a personal conversation with the Black Queen – Barbara Celjska or Ban Jelačić than a traditional guided tour with standard data and facts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The advantage of the Living Images approach is that interpretation is human-centered, emphasising the human dimension of history, daily life, customs, misconceptions, triumphs, and struggles of the characters that curators and collaborators interpret. This approach engages visitors on both an emotional and intellectual level. Living Images is the first official example at the Zagreb City Museum of applying living history methods in interpretation, thereby encouraging new approaches in museum presentation and interpretation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Living Images mainly encourages participatory and experiential methods in museums, emphasising authenticity and context. Through this project, the local community engages with history personally and directly, turning the Zagreb City Museum into a modern space for connection, reflection, and identity. It also underscores the importance of the human element in interpreting cultural heritage. As a result, this project acts as a bridge between traditional museums and contemporary interpretive methods, offering a meaningful experience that can be expanded or tailored to meet community needs and preferences.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In recent years, the Museum has also begun collaborating with city residents who have expressed interest in cooperation, making Living Images a bridge between experts and laypeople. This provides additional opportunities for residents to participate in education and the interpretation of history. On its 25th anniversary, Living Images remains faithful to its tradition but is also open to change and breaking down walls between worlds. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to the popularity, tradition, and high professional standards, the Zagreb City Museum has protected &#8216;Living Images&#8217; under the Copyright Law. This in itself stands as a sign of a good interpretive programme.</span></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aleksandra Berberih Slana is a museum director, cultural historian and museologist with extensive experience in museum interpretation and educational programmes, specialising in innovative methods of engaging the public with cultural heritage. Aleksandra can be contacted at: abslana@mgz.hr.</span></i></p>
<p>To cite this article: Berberih Slana, Aleksandra (2025) ‘Living Images: A Creative Tool for Interpreters of History’ in <em data-start="251" data-end="280">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> 4‑2025, p. 21–22.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IE-newsletter-2025-4-winter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newsletter winter 2025</a></p>
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		<title>A phenomenal opportunity to learn about a phenomenon</title>
		<link>https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/a-phenomenal-opportunity-to-learn-about-a-phenomenon/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Inesa Sulaj]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Phenomenon, phenomenon, phenomenon! — was the word echoing in our ... <a class="cz_readmore" href="https://interpret-europe.net/news/2025/a-phenomenal-opportunity-to-learn-about-a-phenomenon/"><i class="fa fa-angle-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Read More</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Phenomenon, phenomenon, phenomenon! — was the word echoing in our minds throughout the entire week of the CIG course.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Already after the first day of the first IE Certified Interpretative Guide Course (CIG), held at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia in September 2025, the word phenomenon became firmly etched in the memory of every participant. Interestingly, although we all arrived with open minds and a great willingness to learn new things, we were still puzzled on that first day by our trainers’ intention to guide us back to a childlike way of perceiving the world. At the same time, we trusted them completely, convinced that their approach would eventually reveal its full meaning.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When I was a child, my mother – an artist, taught me to draw by explaining that the entire world is built from basic geometric shapes and colours: rectangles, triangles, circles, blue, yellow, and red. The first day of the CIG reminded me exactly of that. Our trainers were doing something similar. A phenomenon could be any sensory experience around us.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond the phenomenal and fresh insights into our surroundings, what I believe was most valuable that week were the people. It was wonderful that my colleagues and I at the Republic Institute, organised by Ana Radovanac Živanov (Country Coordinator Serbia), had the opportunity to warmly host our peers from the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Belgrade, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Zrenjanin, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Niš, the Museum of Yugoslavia, the Museum of Opanak-making, the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, and the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, as well as our trainers from Croatia.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since we all come from fields that require extensive knowledge of history, culture, and art, we expected that interpreting the cultural heritage of Belgrade’s old city core would be a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">piece of cake </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">for us. But there, too, a new surprise awaited! It felt as though the large amount of tedious information we had been memorising for years was now getting in the way of designing an interpretive walk. We felt like true nerds! Thanks to the helpful guidance and signposts provided by our trainers and other peers, even the shyest and most scholarly among us underwent a genuine transformation before our eyes by the end of the week. Their interpretive walks delighted us, and the phenomena came alive.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our early instinct — to trust the process — paid off. Theory and practice intertwined effortlessly. The entire course came together, and everything finally made sense. All participants returned home enriched with a beautiful new skill: how to present our heritage to the public in an interpretive way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the course took place at the beginning of autumn, our online group chat is still lively. Whenever we encounter a phenomenon that reminds us of one another, we send photos, exchange memories, and share a joke or two. And alongside all this wonderful camaraderie, we are already making plans for new Interpret Europe courses that could be organised in our partner institutions — expanding our phenomenal network even further!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dorotea Ašćerić is a young art historian. She is dedicated to the marketing promotion and presentation of cultural heritage. You can contact her at: </span><a href="mailto:dorotea.lovcevic.ims@gmail.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dorotea.lovcevic.ims@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p>To cite this article: Ašćerić, Dorotea (2025) ‘A phenomenal opportunity to learn about a phenomenon’ in <em data-start="162" data-end="191">Interpret Europe Newsletter</em> 4‑2025, p. 18.<br />
Available online: <a href="https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IE-newsletter-2025-4-winter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Newsletter winter 2025</a></p>
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