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.
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.

Thinking

• Integrate natural and cultural heritage

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.

• See through multiple perspectives

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.

• Meet people where they are or bring them along

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.

• Connect with non-physical realities

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.

• Promote human and community development

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 participatory interpretation and UNESCO/Interpret Europe’s values-based interpretation. Some use interpretation to manage and conserve heritage. Others facilitate community-based processes to collectively interpret heritage for community benefit.

Doing

• Write universal themes, and tell universal stories

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.

• Train holistically

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.

• Design experience opportunity spaces, not just interpretive media

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.

• Use interpretive standards at multiple levels 

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.

• Plan holistically

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.

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.
A longer version of this article, including graphics and references, was originally published online in February 2026. You can see the full article here: Medium.com. 

Jon Kohl 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: jon@pupcollaboratory.net.

To cite this article: Kohl, Jon (2026) “Why can’t interpretation do more to tackle society’s problems?”, Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026, p. 24–26.
Available online: Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026.

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.

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.

However, our standard programme with presentations and workshops remains, so you are warmly invited  to consider your own contribution by submitting an abstract (and later a full paper) by 5 January. 

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.

You will be able to choose from six long study visits and at least six short ones, making the selection really hard.

Will you be tempted to visit the Loulé Rock Salt Mine, 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 how interpretation could help small businesses to find new ways forward in times of globalisation.

Or, will you prefer to go to the archaeological site of Milreu, 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. 

The group visiting the Eco-Cork Factory will learn about one of Portugal’s greatest natural 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.

‘The cubist town’ of Olhão, 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. 

Or maybe you will choose to hop aboard a boat and experience the stunning Ria Formosa 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’ll discuss the ecological challenges they face and the strategies they use to adapt to a changing world.

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! 

Parallel to our conference, our local organisers – Sciaena organisation – will be holding their annual Marmotto festival. 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. 

To round up our Portuguese adventure, join us on one of the post-conference tours to Évora or the Geopark Algarvensis.

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. 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.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. 

However, before we get there, you should be aware of these deadlines so you don’t miss out on preparation for the conference:

Call for papers deadline: 5 January

Early bird registration until: 1 March

The conference website 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.

Bettina Lehnes is IE’s Event Coordinator. She can be contacted at: bettina.lehnes@interpret-europe.net.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

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.

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. 

But how do we navigate the diverse – and sometimes conflicting – narratives around heritage?

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.

You can find the questions we want to address on the IE website here:

https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/symposium_lli_questions.pdf 

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. 

Please select the format that best suits you from our submission form, which we need to receive by 9 January 2026.

We are much looking forward to your proposals!

Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

In collaboration with the Municipality of Kotor and the Public Institution ‘Museums’ Kotor (OJU ‘Muzeji’ Kotor), a heritage interpretation course was held in early December this year at the Multimedia Hall of the Cultural Centre (Centar za kulturu) in Kotor, Montenegro. It was actually an Interpret Europe Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course, this time delivered with the support of UNESCO under Interpret Europe’s Learning Landscapes initiative (LLI). Valya Stergioti, from IE’s LLI team explains: The main outcome for each region of the Learning Landscapes initiative is its own co-created interpretive strategy, and IE courses are an indispensable part of the procedure. Not just as the means to build the participants’ capacities on interpretive planning, writing and guiding, but also because through them, stakeholders develop interpretive plans, guided walks and non-personal interpretive media for their own sites, that form the flesh and bones of their interpretive strategy.

Our training was designed as a combination of presentations, exercises, individual and group work, including exchange of opinions and conclusions among participants and the trainers. The goal was to improve methods of heritage interpretation according to IE’s contemporary principles. The majority of participants were experienced local guides who had the chance to familiarise themselves with the heritage interpretation guidelines, aiming for a more complete understanding of the importance of heritage and its preservation for future generations.

As a programme participant and a guide with decades of experience, and at the invitation of PI ‘Muzeji’ Kotor (I am a member of the institution’s Council), I accepted the opportunity to participate with a little skepticism. Given my knowledge and long-standing experience as a Montenegrin guide who daily presents and brings my country’s heritage to visitors, I wasn’t sure how much the training could really improve my interpretation techniques. Even during the introductory talks and practical exercises, it became clear to me that I have already been using these exact techniques in my own work. What was missing was knowing how to name them and an understanding of which one is the most appropriate for a given moment.

During the course, I re-lived memories of my guests with whom I am still in contact today—guests who remained connected to Montenegro because of those very moments when I found the storyteller within myself. Some of them return often, others recommend the country to their families and friends, and I am responsible for every special feeling my country awakens in them. It is not possible to achieve such a connection with a guest every time, but when it happens, you know you have conveyed a part of the love you have for your calling and your country.

Through practical exercises with my colleagues—some of whom I have known for many years—I realised that even professionals such as themselves were taken aback by the emotion created by precisely executed interpretation. The ability to use all the learned techniques to create a completely new experience of familiar phenomena for them surprised me. Heritage interpretation has become a mission, not merely a task.

Living in Kotor and being someone who, every day, depicts its beauty and rich heritage to thousands of people, is a privilege. As a guide-interpreter, I have the unique opportunity to make this town inevitably important for them to understand the significance of heritage, and to build the need for them to treat that heritage, anywhere in the world, with respect and a profound personal feeling that touches both their hearts and minds.

Nataša Velimirović studied journalism at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade. She has worked as a freelance tourist guide in Montenegro since 2008. She is a member of the Council of the Public Institution ‘Museums’ Kotor. Nataša can be contacted at: velimirovicnatasha@gmail.com.

To cite this article: Velimirović, Nataša (2025) ‘When the interpreter meets the guide’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4‑2025, pp. 16–17.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

The course was organised within the framework of Interpret Europe’s Learning Landscapes Initiative, supported by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice Office).

Eastern Zagori is a remote and often overlooked region, where the gradual depopulation of villages has allowed forests and wildlife to reclaim much of the land. It is also a place where the scars of the Nazi occupation remain visible, adding a layer of historical depth to its rich natural and cultural landscape.

The course attracted 18 participants from nearby villages as well as urban areas. Among them were both young and older individuals, experienced guides, and newcomers to the field. Together, they created a shared space for learning, exchange, and personal growth through heritage interpretation. During those days, the village of Greveniti came alive once again. After the training sessions, participants would gather in the three cafés, where fireplaces were already lit for the season, and share conversations and experiences.

Autumn in Zagori brings change. As villagers were preparing to bid farewell to the summer, the presence of the group seemed to spark new reflections. Mr. Vassilis, an elderly resident and owner of one of the cafés, was inspired to tell participants about his family’s long-abandoned watermill. He eventually opened its doors for the first time in many years, expressing the hope that perhaps it could be preserved and revitalised in the future.

As for how the course unfolded, it is best described in the words of Georgia, one of the participants: “Some experiences cannot really be captured in words… And yet, during the Certified Interpretive Guide course, that’s exactly what we explored: how to let objects speak, how to listen to the whispers of the world around us! How a single stone, a leaf, a sound can tell stories, stir emotions and reveal new meanings through each person’s unique perspective. Days wrapped in mist, autumn colours and sounds became part of a shared story, revealing that interpretation isn’t just about knowledge – it’s a way of connecting with places, people, with life itself. Days full of learning, inspiration and true connection. Every activity, every conversation, every shared moment was an invitation to turn the world around us into experience and emotion. I’m grateful for everyone who shared this journey – for the knowledge, the support, the warmth, and the joy of co-creation. A glimpse of a week that reminded me how the simplest things – an object, a landscape, a sound – can become bridges to something deeper… to caring for and protecting our natural and cultural heritage.” (Georgia Pirovoli)

Penelope Gkini is an interpretive guide and Interpret Europe trainer for the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course. She can be contacted at: porizocrete@gmail.com.

To cite this article: Gkini, Penelope (2025) ‘Autumn colours mean change: A CIG course in Greece’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4‑2025, p. 11.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

As we know, heritage is no longer the exclusive domain of the expert, primarily for conservation purposes. Instead, people are playing an active role in creating, protecting and transforming heritage by making it part of their lives.

Empaths (Empowering landscapes with participatory approaches to heritage interpretation skills) is a new 30-month EU Erasmus+ project for IE that reflects this shift and, together with ongoing actions such as the Learning Landscapes initiative, will deepen our knowledge and approaches to value-based and people-centred heritage interpretation. Indeed, Empaths itself focuses on participatory meaning- making, involving heritage professionals and local communities.

After a period of research which is almost finished, the goal for the rest of 2025 and 2026 is to develop and test a new training programme to upskill heritage professionals with the participatory competencies they need to effectively engage communities in meaning-making processes related to their heritage.

IE is working with two other training and technical providers in Greece and Italy, each paired with piloting partners who will test the training course in their local areas with local heritage professionals and community representatives. These include an ethnological museum in NE Greece, an archaeological park near Naples and a Geopark on the Austrian/Slovenian border.

You can find out more about the project, the partners and the latest activities in this first newsletter, as well as a link to subscribe to receive future editions directly to your inbox.

This innovative interpretive creation became a key feature of our events throughout 2024. A mobile piece of 3D pavement art was literally rolled out at every event held within the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark https://mournegullionstrangfordgeopark.com in Ireland last year. However, as we prepared to launch it on its 2025 odyssey, we discovered that Storm Darragh’s fury in November had caused irreparable damage. The cumulative wear of thousands of enthusiastic feet had also taken its toll, leaving it looking decidedly tatty. And so, with great reluctance, we have retired the exhibit.

But let’s go back to the beginning and tell the story of its creation while we mourn its departure from our interpretive toolkit.

3D pavement art, also known as anamorphic street painting, is a fascinating form of public art that creates the illusion of three-dimensional depth on a flat surface. Using precise perspective techniques, artists craft stunning images that appear to rise from or sink into the pavement when viewed from a specific angle. Though this technique dates back to the Renaissance, it has seen a surge in popularity in modern street art. However, such works are rare in soggy, windy Ireland, where traditional 3D pavement art—often created with chalk or pastels—struggles to survive the famously unpredictable climate. The idea of painstakingly creating a detailed piece only for it to be washed away in the next downpour didn’t seem practical. We also needed something portable, as the Geopark spans a vast area, and we wanted to take the exhibit to multiple locations.

In my research, I came across an artist who specialises in pavement art suited to the Irish climate—Mark Cronin https://markcroninart.com. His method was perfect for our needs: instead of chalk, he paints in acrylic on the back of offcuts of flooring vinyl, allowing the artwork to be rolled up and transported easily. This approach would allow us to bring the magic of 3D art to venues across the Geopark, regardless of the weather.

The optical illusion of 3D pavement art relies on distorted proportions that, when viewed from the intended angle, create a lifelike depth effect. I envisioned using this technique to depict the underground world of the Geopark, linking the shape of the landscape to the geological processes that formed it far below the surface. A deep chasm—a classic theme in 3D pavement art—seemed the perfect way to illustrate the cooling of vast underground magma pools and their subsequent exposure through millions of years of erosion by ice and water.

Mark was inspired by the idea of showcasing the formation of the landscape, particularly the Ring Dyke of the Ring of Gullion and the Mountains of Mourne, and their deep cultural connections—from prehistoric cairns to the granite streets of Newry City. I created a storyboard with photos and illustrations highlighting key features to tell the story of the Geopark’s geology and its influence on today’s culture and traditions. Mark took this and added a brilliant interactive twist by incorporating the popular childhood game of avoiding the ‘lava’, challenging participants to balance precariously over the chasm on a favourite landmark balancing rock in the Mournes.

This mobile 3D pavement art proved to be an incredibly engaging way to attract public attention and encourage interaction. Once we had people hooked—getting them to snap photos of their children teetering on the edge of magma dykes and other geological formations—we had the perfect opportunity to share the deeper social, scientific, historical, and environmental messages of the Geopark. The piece worked best with a human interpreter to guide discussions and answer questions, drawing people toward our information stands and stalls. However, we also found that even when it was unattended, people used it to explore the landscape’s features and were entertained by it. It became a fun, accessible way to spark curiosity and turn streets into immersive, thought-provoking experiences.

Now, I just need to find funding for a new piece and, crucially, make sure it’s never left outside overnight during a red wind warning! Sure, it was waterproof, but even the best materials can’t withstand a Force 8 gale. Lesson learned.

Abby McSherry works for Newry Mourne and Down District council and can be reached at: abby.mcsherry@nmandd.org.

To cite this article: McSherry, Abby (2025) ‘Under foot‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 1-2025, pg. 18-19.
Available online: PDF Newsletter Spring 2025 

HI-People is a key project for Interpret Europe over the next four years. It will build the capacity of our network organisation and members but also reach out to other heritage professionals, institutions and networks to promote the role of heritage interpreters practicing value-based and people-centred approaches in heritage interpretation (HI) as a response to some of the critical challenges facing Europe today. 

That outreach begins with our community of country and subject coordinators and so we organised a first face-to-face meeting attended by some 20 coordinators following #icon25 in Sulejówek. 

As part of their commitment to Interpret Europe, coordinators should organise a promotional event each year. HI-People will boost these initiatives by proposing a series of 20 national networking events over the next four years to be run by our coordinators. These are ‘professional meet-ups’ with a creative touch to promote IE and heritage interpretation to showcase our training but also to strengthen ties with national networks and build local partnerships. They could take the form of info sessions, training tasters, roundtables, site visits or mini-forums and involve museums, universities, parks, tourism boards and local authorities together with national IE members and trainers also attending to lend their support. 

The success of these networking events relies on the reputation and abilities of our coordinators to create a buzz and attract the right attendees. Yet, just like many freelance interpreters, the life of a voluntary coordinator can be a lonely one with limited support to overcome challenges to their work.

The message from the meeting was that ‘we are better together’ to support one another. While HI-People represents an opportunity to energise our community of coordinators around a collective project task, they should feel ready, willing and able to play their part. That means enabling new and established coordinators to share their skills and experience to address mutual needs and solve common problems together.

So, we started a course of action in Sulejówek. The HI-People project team and IE management are working with our coordinators to provide appropriate direction and support so that they can meet at regular online sessions and face-to-face once a year, to take the initiative to co-create their activities. This would mainly focus on getting to know each other better, feeling a sense of belonging, identifying common problems and offering support and solutions from one another. This is the healthy foundation we need for success, connecting IE management, subject and country coordinators more closely.

What are the key takeaways? It is important to be listened to, share experiences and feel a sense of belonging and togetherness. Our coordinators count, and a strong collective spirit where everyone contributes is essential for joint success, to build our community to not only play a crucial role in the HI-People project but also to support and value our coordinators’ work for their own professional development and for Interpret Europe.  

Want to learn more about HI-People? Visit the projects page on the IE website for more details.

[https://interpret-europe.net/projects-p/] 

Sandy Colvine is Project Manager for IE and coordinates the HI-People and Empaths projects. Based in Southern France, he is also an IE certified trainer and a former member of the IE Supervisory Committee. You can contact him at: alexander.colvine@interpret-europe.net. 

To cite this article: Colvine, Sandy (2025) ‘We’re better together!‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 1-2025, pg. 11.
Available online: PDF Newsletter Spring 2025 

Whilst this document is not new, it was recommended by an IE member and may be relevant to some of our members who work in natural area conservation, or interpretation of natural areas.Published in 2021 by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) along with several other organisations, it forms part of the Best Practice Protected Areas Guidelines.
From the abstract: The cultural and spiritual significance of nature has been defined as the spiritual, cultural, inspirational, aesthetic, historic and social meanings, values, feelings, ideas and associations that natural features and nature in general have for past, present and future generations of people – both individuals and groups. These guidelines respond to a growing need to make conservation more inclusive, effective and socially just by accommodating multiple worldviews; by treating natural and cultural heritage as interlinked; and by suggesting ways for engaging and empowering all relevant groups and stakeholders in protected area design, governance and management. The guidelines also assist with creating common ground, resolving conflicts and implementing rights-based approaches that recognise human rights and legal pluralism.
Many of the aims of these guidelines seem to align with our approach to heritage interpretation.
You can download the document as a PDF from IUCN here: https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/49268

To cite this article: IE News Team (2024) ‘The cultural and spiritual significance of nature‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2024, pg.19. Available online: https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Newsletter-2024_4.pdf