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.
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.

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.

Its core premise is simple – 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. 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.

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.

Download the free guide here:
https://ahi.org.uk/resource/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation/

Find out more about AHI here:
https://ahi.org.uk/

Free webinar

In addition to the guide, AHI is also hosting a free webinar: LGBTQIA+ heritage interpretation.
When? Thursday 21 May 2026 at 17.00 BST/ 18.00 CEST
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.

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: https://ahi.org.uk/event/lgbtqia-heritage-interpretation-webinar/

Danni Gilbert is Marketing & 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: marketing@ahi.org.uk.
Steve Slack 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: steve@steveslack.co.uk. 

To cite this article:
Gilbert, Danni & Slack, Steve (2026) “Interpreting with the LGBTQIA+ community in mind”, Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026, p. 28.
Available online: Interpret Europe Newsletter Spring 2026.

Have you heard about the Culture Compass report? 

It was published in November by the European Commission, presented by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, Youth and Sport. It is available here:

https://culture.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-11/Communication%20-%20Culture%20Compass%20with%20cover_0.pdf 

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. 

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.

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.

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.”

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)

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.

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.

To cite this article: Interpret Europe News Team  “Culture Compass for Europe”, Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2025 (Winter 2025), p. 27–28.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

At the 14th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Türkyie, heritage interpretation was placed as a central pillar and a cross-cutting priority for developing Cultural Routes across Europe and beyond. Drawing on the panel discussion to which IE contributed, this article highlights the Forum’s recommendations and what this means for heritage interpretation. 

Set against the dramatic landscape of Cappadocia, Forum gathered over 350 participants to reflect on how Cultural Routes can strengthen heritage protection, sustainable tourism, and community engagement. Heritage interpretation as a cross-cutting skill can contribute to all these developmental needs of the Routes. Heritage interpretation was referred to in terms that Interpret Europe has been advocating for in recent years. This was due to some influential speakers, among whom were academics such as Mike Robinson and Chris Whitehead from the UK, and Peter Debrine from UNESCO, who represented our profession alongside IE’s director Helena Vičič. 

In the panel on Heritage Interpretation, speakers emphasised that interpretation today is no longer simply about conveying information. It is about shaping relationships between people and place, between past and present, and across cultures. The Forum’s conclusions strongly echoed this shift, calling for innovative, inclusive, and values-based interpretation that emotionally resonates with audiences and brings human values to life through providing holistic interpretive experiences. 

An equally important element of the conclusions paper was the recognition that interpretation must be co-created with communities, ensuring plural perspectives and acknowledging diverse, and at times contested, histories. Community interpretation restores the bond between residents and their heritage, and allows visitors to engage with authentic, lived experiences rather than curated narratives.

Interpreters are positioned not merely as communicators but as facilitators of dialogue, empathy, and intercultural understanding across transnational networks. The Forum’s encouragement to develop shared interpretive frameworks (across routes), collaborate with guide associations, and invest in training, marks a major step toward elevating interpretation as a professional field within the Cultural Routes programme.

The conclusions also carry significant implications for European cultural policy. By linking interpretation to urgent contemporary issues, such as climate change, migration, social inequalities, and environmental degradation, the Forum reframed interpretation as an action-oriented tool capable of inspiring societal change.

This positions interpreters as contributors not only to heritage management, but also to democratic participation and social cohesion, echoing the human-rights-based principles of the Faro Convention.

For the future of cultural routes, the Forum’s outcomes provide a clear blueprint. Interpretation is recognised as a driver of sustainable tourism, capable of deepening visitor engagement while helping to disperse heavy footfall away from overburdened destinations. It supports local economies by empowering residents to become guides and heritage ambassadors. And importantly, it reinforces landscape-based approaches that place communities at the heart of heritage protection.

As experienced during the discussions in Cappadocia, the momentum around heritage interpretation has rarely been stronger. The Forum’s conclusions reaffirm that interpretation is central to building a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful cultural landscape across Europe. For Interpret Europe, this moment represents both a responsibility and an opportunity: to support Europe’s heritage sector in ways that speak to the challenges and hopes of our time, through training, networking, advocacy and policy work.  

These recommendations signal a paradigm shift in the cultural sector that is underway. This new approach to interpretation is a guiding light of all IE progammes, including training, the Learning Landscapes initiative and the upcoming conference in Faro, Portugal, that will build on the spirit of the Faro Convention. 

The IE News Team is led by Marie Banks, News Coordinator. She can be contacted at: marie.banks@interpret-europe.net.

Why not join the next IE conference in Portugal in April 2026 to discuss more about the Cultural Routes Forum and the wider implications of the recognition of interpretation. www.interpreteuropeconference.net.   

To cite this article: IE News Team (2025) ‘Reflections from the 14th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4‑2025, p. 4-5.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025

This is the pre-announcement for an online symposium that Interpret Europe and UNESCO are organising on 26-27 February 2026 under the title ‘The role of narratives in 21st century heritage interpretation’.

In recent years, a shift has been observed in heritage interpretation. At the turn of the millennium the focus was mainly on entertaining storytelling. Today, however, stories are increasingly seen as offerings, encouraging and empowering people to share their experiences and to interpret for themselves. This shift presents heritage professionals at sites, parks, museums and monuments with new challenges:

• How can diverse narratives be embraced and integrated?
• How can heritage experiences foster learning around global citizenship and sustainability?
• How can interpretation become more inclusive and participatory?

These questions are at the heart of the Learning Landscapes Initiative (LLI), a joint effort by Interpret Europe and UNESCO, which is pioneering new approaches in this field.

We are now inviting experts and practitioners to contribute with ideas, share examples, and to participate in this exchange.

Please save the date. We expect an intense and inspiring symposium. Further information will follow at the end of the year.

To cite this article: Gudlin, Lucija (2025) ‘Learning Landscapes Initiative symposium: The role of narratives in 21st-century heritage interpretation’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 3-2025, p. 20.
Available online: Newsletter autumn 2025

Faro, at the very Southwestern edge of the continent, is the right place to reflect on a theme which we consider of central importance for the future of Europe in challenging times of rapid change.
It was here where the Council of Europe launched the ‘Faro Convention’ in 2005, embarking on a transformative journey towards more democratic, people-centred, and value-based practices in dealing with Europe’s heritage. Today, the Council of Europe’s Faro Convention is more relevant than ever for all heritage – cultural and natural.

The Faro spirit provokes the entire heritage sector to re-assess its basic assumptions and practices and it provides guidance to lead the sector into a new era.  

It can inspire all professionally involved in heritage interpretation, including

• those working on the ground as front-line heritage interpreters, as interpretive writers or interpretive planners, or as interpretive agents and mediators, as well as others working in the field of heritage education,
• those engaged in professional development as trainers, teachers or researchers related to heritage interpretation, and
• those who govern or influence the framework conditions for heritage interpretation as site managers or as policy makers at local, regional, national or international level.

Heritage interpretation in the Faro spirit can become a catalyst for societies that seek unity in diversity. We can empower people, communities and societies to establish common ground while embracing diversity by engaging them in fruitful reflections about the past that matter for the present and future. 

The Algarve – so much more than a tourist destination

The whole region has been shaped throughout history by the succession and coexistence of diverse cultures and religions arriving by land and sea. It can look back on a turbulent past and it displays traces of these events everywhere.

There is the old town of Faro with a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets lined with seventeenth- and eighteenth-century houses and its Gothic cathedral where you find many traces of its history and feel the spirit of the city’s eventful past.

Not quite as old is the Club Farense, a renowned place where, over cigars, gentlemen once debated world events and ladies met for more than card games. This is the unique setting for our next Interpret Europe conference in April 2026.

Founded over 150 years ago, the Club Farense in Faro hasn’t lost its special atmosphere even after so many decades. Every room tells its stories and transports visitors to times long past. We can immerse ourselves in this world and fill the rooms with our stories and contributions. While the club is usually reserved for its members, on weekends you can experience just about anything related to art and culture there – from all kinds of music to readings, theatre and shows.

And it will be at the heart of our conference!

Exploring the region

Our study tours will take us to places where we dive deep into the heart of heritage, both natural and cultural, tangible and intangible. Each tour will reveal unique stories and connections that tie individuals to their homeland, illuminating the dedication of those committed to preserving and sharing these treasures with both locals and visitors alike. Details of the study tours and more about the region we will be visiting will be announced on the website and in the next newsletter.

If you’re an early bird, you’ll be able to start your day with an exhilarating birdwatching tour in Ria Formosa at sunrise, providing a breathtaking start to your day before the conference day begins.

Your contribution

Our conferences depend on your contributions. We’re sure many of you have ideas and experiences connected to the theme which you’d like to share with others, and we look forward to a diverse range of sessions and workshops.

The call for papers will be open in October so keep an eye open for information coming on that.

Our 2026 conference will be organised in partnership with Sciaena, a non-governmental organisation that works towards a healthy marine environment through the promotion of sustainable ways of exploitation, the involvement of the population and political intervention.

Make sure you join us in April 2026 at the Algarve and be inspired by the light of Faro!

Want to know more? Take a look at the conference website: www.interpreteuropeconference.net.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at: bettina.lehnes@interpret-europe.net

To cite this article: Lehnes, Bettina (2025) ‘Re-interpreting heritage in the light of Faro: #iecon26’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 3-2025, pp. 18–19.
Available online: Newsletter autumn 2025

Rooted in hands-on engagement and value-based storytelling, the programme that brought this site to life during the summer months invited participants not just to learn about history, but to step into it.

Over several days, participants engaged in the reconstruction and playing of Roman board games, handled replicas of ancient arms, and embodied citizens of Stobi by dressing in Roman clothing. These activities transformed archaeology from abstract knowledge into a lived, emotional experience.

The workshops were designed by archaeologist and IE Certified Interpretive Trainer Vasilka Dimitrovska, and coordinated by HAEMUS – Centre for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, in collaboration with Ivan Ilić, archaeologist and historical reenactor from Serbia, and Damjan Serafimovski, interpreter and ethnologist at the Museum of the City of Skopje. Together they brought academic research into dialogue with public engagement, bridging the gap between science, education, and community.

A special focus was placed on mentoring young interpreters. By guiding them to take on the roles of Roman citizens, the project not only deepened authenticity but also gave a new generation the confidence to embody heritage and connect it with contemporary audiences.

The interpretive framework combined experiential learning with live interpretation and historical reenactment. Rather than presenting archaeology as distant, the approach encouraged participants to touch, play, and interact, turning passive observation into active meaning-making.

Elements of the programme are already being woven into the wider Storytelling Macedonia platform, which promotes narrative-based, site-specific interpretation across North Macedonia. The long-term vision is to continue developing activities that reinforce the bond between archaeology, education, and the public, while highlighting heritage as a shared value.

This initiative at Stobi demonstrates how live interpretation can transform archaeological sites into participatory spaces, where the past is not only studied, but felt, embodied, and re-imagined in ways that matter today.

Vasilka Dimitrovska is an IE certified interpretive trainer. She is director of HAEMUS – Center for Scientific Research and Promotion of Culture, and founder of Storytelling Skopje and Storytelling Macedonia. She can be contacted at: dimitrovska@haemus.org.mk.

To cite this article: Dimitrovska, Vasilka (2025) ‘Hands-on with the Romans: Re-imagining Stobi through live interpretation’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 3-2025, p. 17.
Available online: Newsletter autumn 2025

In the early 1600s, the Norwegian address of 28 Klostergaten, Bergen, was a highly-prized location for widowed and unmarried working-class women. It was, in fact, an almshouse, the oldest form of social housing in the world.  

For over 360 years, Stranges Stiftelse, the name of this particular charitable institution, looked after the welfare of women who were anything but ordinary. They came from near and afar, from city and countryside, often alone but all determined to find work and a better life in bustling Bergen. Many found work as maids with wealthy families, seeing first-hand the rewards of money, influence and culture which they could appreciate yet never possess. Then after years of service they ended their working lives exhausted, in poor health, homeless and quickly penniless. Stranges Stiftelse restored their dignity and self-respect.

Neither frozen in time nor exclusively a museum, Stranges Stiftelse is owned by the Norwegian National Trust and the current timber building dates back to 1751 (devastating fires were commonplace in Norway’s cities). It houses the NT’s regional office and is regularly used by local community groups, so the challenge was to tell the story of this remarkable city landmark with minimum disruption and no physical alterations. 

Stranges Stiftelse’s uniqueness lies in its atmosphere, as if the residents have left briefly and may re-emerge from a bedroom door or descend the steep staircases at any moment. So it was vital to retain this unique quality and use it as a source of inspiration for a pilot series of six QR-code activated interpretive audio guide vignettes using visitors’ phones.

Using interpretive writing techniques featured in IE’s Certified Interpretive Writer (CIW) course, each theme-based narrative takes visitors from bedroom and kitchen to armchair, and even the morgue, to provide a snapshot of daily life. Comparisons and questions invite visitors to consider how the almshouse relates to their lives now, connecting with their general knowledge and life experiences. In this way, Stranges Stiftelse becomes relevant to the present day, allowing visitors to learn about the past, consider the present and contemplate the future, possibly their own futures in old age, as well as inter-generational attitudes and relationships or wider subjects like social care, for instance. 

Tiresome lessons or unwelcome moralising are avoided. Instead, the likes of 65-year-old Pettrike, a resilient and independent woman, address visitors telling them of occasional squabbles, backbreaking tasks, emptying chamber pots, frequent laughs, comforting coffee-cup huddles in times of need and, of course, the rich and endless source of gossip that comes with the company of 30 other headstrong women facing old age together.

Subject to an end-of-season evaluation, this pilot project could be enhanced with soundscapes, characters, more in-depth consultations with the local community, additional themes and new vignettes to periodically change and refresh the visitor experience for local people and out of town audiences. It is early days but it is hoped that this pilot experience can create a modest buzz, raise footfall and introduce a new dialogical dimension to less-frequented National Trust properties in Vestland county.

Regardless of what transpires, it was a pleasure for me to dive into the history of this unique heritage site and help local partners bring to life the surprising stories contained within its walls using the power of interpretation.

Sandy Colvine is a French-based freelance consultant, certified IE trainer, and project manager for IE. He can be contacted at sandy.colvine84@gmail.com

To cite this article: Colvine, Alexander (Sandy) (2025) ‘Hello, my name is Pettrike’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 3-2025, pp. 15–16.
Available online: Newsletter autumn 2025

Together with UNESCO, Interpret Europe has developed the Learning Landscapes initiative – an innovative approach to transforming regions into vibrant spaces where heritage connects people, strengthens communities, and inspires action for a shared future.

At the heart of this initiative is the creation of local stakeholder networks that co-design meaningful heritage experiences. The aim? To make heritage more relevant in people’s lives – and people more engaged in the stewardship of our common world.

To make this happen, capacity building plays a central role. IE experts train and mentor local interpretive agents in developing place-based interpretive strategies through a series of co-creative workshops. In parallel, trainers implement IE’s tried-and-tested course programme to support local professionals in designing plans for heritage sites and interpretive services that align with them.

The Learning Landscapes concept has been in pilot phase since 2024, with encouraging progress in several regions across Europe. As we approach the end of this initial phase in early 2026, we are preparing to launch six new Learning Landscapes – and we warmly invite you to consider whether your region could be one of them.

Are you ready to take this step?
Here’s what we’re looking for:

• A noteable number of different heritage sites or properties
• Around five committed organisations willing to form a local steering group
• A diverse network of 30–50 stakeholders ready to co-create the interpretive strategy
• The readiness of 50–80 professionals to be engaged in the training and capacity-building process

If this sounds like your region—or you’re curious about how to get there—we’d love to hear from you.

Participating regions must secure funding independently, but the programme is strongly aligned with current EU priorities – such as participation, inclusion, co-creation in tourism and heritage, community empowerment, peace building, and sustainable development. Regions are therefore encouraged to explore suitable funding sources and prepare their applications in the coming months.

If you’d like to learn more about how to join the Learning Landscapes movement, get in touch at: office@interpret-europe.net.

Let’s reimagine the role of heritage—together.

To cite this article: Vaio, Vanessa (2025)  ‘Learning Landscapes: The new call‘  in Interpret Europe Newsletter 2-2025, pg.26.
Available online: Newsletter summer 2025

The ‘Meet, See, Do – Museum Trends’ conference, which was organised by the Balkan Museum Network in partnership with Zagreb City Museum and NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations, took place in Zagreb on April 28-29. It brought together museum and heritage professionals to explore emerging trends in the sector. 

Over the course of two full days, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, practical workshops, and networking opportunities, sparking new ideas and fostering meaningful collaboration. 

Interpret Europe Croatia participated in two slots. IE certified trainer Ivana Jagić Boljat gave a workshop on value-based heritage interpretation, offering participants the chance to explore how values can enrich interpretation and deepen participants’ engagement. The session illustrated how the IE training programme has evolved to incorporate values-based interpretation and what this means for the roles of guides, writers, and planners. 

In the second slot, Irina Ban, IE Country Coordinator Croatia, introduced the Interpret Europe association, its goals, membership benefits and activities of the association. 

It was great to represent IE and reach a wide network of other HI professionals from across the Balkans.

Irina Ban is IE’s Country Coordinator Croatia. She can be contacted at: irina.ban@interpret-europe,net. 

To cite this article: Ban, Irina (2025)  ‘Representation in the Balkans‘  in Interpret Europe Newsletter 2-2025, pg.22.
Available online: Newsletter summer 2025

Durres, one of Albania’s most ancient and historically rich cities, is undergoing a remarkable cultural revival thanks to a year-long collaboration between Durresi Aktiv and MuZEH Lab, supported by the EU4Culture initiative. This comprehensive project is dedicated to raising awareness, fostering education, and promoting sustainable cultural tourism at some of the city’s most emblematic heritage sites, including the Venetian Tower and the historic Hamam. The initiative seeks to deepen both local and visitor engagement with Durres’ rich history, ensuring that its cultural treasures are not only preserved but also celebrated and passed on to future generations.

A key part of the project has been the organisation of vibrant cultural events held at key heritage sites. One standout occasion was the Cultural Night at Hammam of Durrës, an Ottoman era bathhouse transformed into a lively cultural venue. This event combined classical music performances, visual projections of historical artifacts, and artisan exhibitions, to create a multisensory experience that illuminated the history and significance of the site. Such events serve as dynamic platforms for heritage interpretation by engaging audiences emotionally and intellectually, helping them to see historical places not just as relics of the past but as living spaces filled with stories and creative energy. By showcasing local artists and cultural practitioners, these events also foster community involvement and contribute to the sustainable use of heritage spaces.

The project also emphasises professional development and capacity building through specialised training sessions held at MuZEH Lab. These workshops equip museum professionals, educators, and cultural workers with advanced skills in heritage interpretation and storytelling, enabling them to communicate Durres’ history in ways that resonate with diverse audiences. Special attention is given to promoting social inclusion by actively involving women, youth, minorities, and disadvantaged people in both training and cultural activities. This inclusive approach not only enriches the cultural dialogue but also ensures that the benefits of heritage preservation are shared widely across the community.

Importantly, this project builds on the success of the previous EU4Culture funded Old Doors Trail initiative (https://theolddoorstrail.com/), aiming to extend and deepen socio-economic opportunities by linking cultural heritage with sustainable tourism and local employment. By fostering collaboration between civil society organisations, cultural operators, and public institutions, the project creates synergies that strengthen the cultural sector and promote environmentally responsible tourism. The use of eco-friendly materials and sustainable artistic production throughout the project reflects a strong commitment to minimising environmental impact, demonstrating that heritage conservation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

The immediate impact of these combined efforts is evident in the heightened awareness and appreciation of Durres’ cultural heritage among both locals and tourists. Through engaging performances and educational workshops, participants gain a deeper understanding of the historical significance of sites like the Venetian Tower and the Hamam, while also developing skills related to heritage preservation and sustainable tourism. Over the longer term, the project aspires to foster sustained socio-economic growth by leveraging cultural heritage as a driver for tourism, employment, and community empowerment. The creation of lasting partnerships among cultural practitioners, public institutions, and local communities is a key part of this vision, ensuring that Durres’ heritage is protected and promoted for generations to come.

This approach, combining education, cultural programming, professional training, and community engagement, offers a valuable model for heritage interpreters and cultural professionals. It highlights the power of collaborative efforts to make history accessible, relevant, and inspiring, demonstrating that cultural heritage is not just about preserving the past but about enriching the present and shaping the future.

Following the rich cultural activities and professional development efforts, the project has also created an innovative educational tool aimed at younger generations: the Discover Durrës board game. This interactive game is designed for children aged 7 to 12, inviting them to explore Durres’ heritage in a playful yet meaningful way. Players take on roles such as Traveler, Archaeologist, Artist, or Artisan, each linked to various landmarks, artists, and craftsmen important in the city’s history. Moving through a large game board representing Durres, children encounter illustrated cards that tell fascinating stories about each site or figure, combining visual engagement with storytelling to help children absorb historical knowledge naturally and enjoyably. This playful learning approach helps build a strong connection between young learners and their city’s past, encouraging pride and awareness while fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Inesa Sulaj is a cultural heritage expert and museologist. She is IE’s office manager and can be contacted at: inesa.sulaj@interpret-europe.net 

To cite this article: Sulaj, Inesa (2025)  ‘Revitalizing Durres’ heritage‘  in Interpret Europe Newsletter 2-2025, pg.20-21
Available online: Newsletter summer 2025