IE News

IE Conference 2023: Last chance for the Early Bird booking

March 23, 2023
Hurry to take advantage of the Early Bird booking fee to join us in Romania on 12-15 May for our theme, ‘Creating learning landscapes through heritage interpretation’. Preparations for the conference are in full swing and the temperature is rising! Our partners at AICI Architectural Studio from Bucharest are ...Read More

Rebuilding Lives: 50 years of Ugandan Asians in Leicester

March 23, 2023
An exhibition celebrating culture, community and resilience. Diversity is now a basic characteristic of the western world, reflected in growing racial, ethnic and cultural differences across populations. For example, it is estimated that, by 2050, some 30% of the UK population will be from minority communities.  How nation states incorporate ...Read More
Turma a projeto Amadeo

Can heritage interpretation reach the kindergarten?

March 22, 2023
An opportunity to use interpretive techniques to bring Portuguese culture to life for our youngest art critics and budding artists. I was challenged by my youngest son’s pre-school teacher to develop an activity for the class related to the parents’ jobs. As an investigator in History of Art ...Read More
Group in interaction in Muses office, Image Inia Herenčić

Stimulating intellectual adventure with Muses in Zagreb

March 22, 2023
From Poland to Croatia to learn how to “look with the heart”, find deeper meanings in surrounding reality and how to share it with others. In February 2023, the first of three groups from the new Polish museum in Sulejówek attended the Interpret Europe Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course organised ...Read More
Group taking the posture of the statue, Image Viola Lewis

Interpretation as the tourist guides’ creative outlet

March 21, 2023
Tourist guides overwhelmed by the demands of mass tourism: Can interpretation be a path to self-actualisation for guide and guests? I’m a newbie to Interpret Europe. Yet, as a tourist guide, I see myself as a heritage interpreter. This is what I do every day when with visitors ...Read More
One of the exercises from the test run in Rogatec, Image Janja Sivec

If it works for children … how the module on interpretation for children came about

March 21, 2023
A new Interpret Europe training module is almost ready to launch. It is finally time to talk about and showcase what I have been thinking about (for the last three years), what we have been working on (with an IE focus group) and have now tested (on three separate occasions ...Read More
Front cover of the PDF publication

Soup and flowers – Interpreting World Heritage

March 21, 2023
IE represents Europe in a new publication celebrating global examples of interpretation. Interpreters of the World: heads up! A new compilation of texts about interpretation from around the globe has just been published by WHIPIC, the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation for World Heritage Sites, under the auspices ...Read More
Corvin’s Castle in Hunodoara, Image Dirk Bennett

Around Romania in two weeks

March 21, 2023
Ahead of iecon23 some memories of a trip through Romania last summer, to give you a little taster of its rich history and cultural heritage. The English have a lovely expression for my kind of trip, a “busman’s holiday”. And I am sure it sounds all too familiar: when ...Read More

IE Webinar: Living history at the Hungarian OpenAir Museum: a case study

March 15, 2023
27 March 2023 at 18:00 CET In this webinar we will speak about the complex living history program at the Hungarian Open-Air Museum in Szentendre. It is set in the recently opened Transylvanian building complex of the institution, which offers varied knowledge-transfer methods and innovative exhibition interpretation ...Read More

IE Webinar: Interpreting Islamic heritage in Croatia

January 25, 2023
16 February 2023 at 18:00 CET In this webinar we will speak about the Islamic heritage in Croatia and how it can be effectively interpreted to both Muslim and non-Muslim participants The presentation will showcase Rijeka mosque which, with its combination of historical and modern styles, is one ...Read More

IE Conference 2023: Registrations are now open!

December 23, 2022
Join us in Romania on 12-15 May for our theme, ‘Creating learning landscapes through heritage interpretation’. It is time to get ready for a long-awaited Interpret Europe live conference – a diverse, inspirational, and impactful gathering of heritage experts from all over Europe and beyond, with an exciting range ...Read More

Funding opportunities and support

December 23, 2022
There are several open calls to look at and some new tools to help identify long-term opportunities. Take a look and good luck! Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24  €13.5 billion available through this fund for cultural heritage and cultural and creative industries. On 6 December the European ...Read More
NAI’s Board of Directors 2022, Image: NAI Board

Interpretation Rocks: Celebrating the old and the new in the home of Rock and Roll

December 22, 2022
Members of the USA’s National Association for Interpretation (NAI) gathered in Cleveland, Ohio, for their annual conference. Held during the last week of November, almost 700 people attended in person with another 200 joining digitally. What struck me about the week of meetings, sessions, special events and field trips ...Read More
Beth morafon_great orme headland and tramway

 Stories from the AHI conference

December 22, 2022
In October, AHI members gathered to explore how heritage interpretation can adapt, embrace, and connect in an age of change. The highlight of our 2022 calendar was undoubtedly the fantastic conference we held on 12-14 October at the Hilton Garden Inn in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. It felt like ...Read More
Walking through a wintry cultural landscape, Image: Anna Carlemalm

Round-up of European policy and news

December 22, 2022
Here we include summaries of some developments that we are aware of that may be of interest to members. Follow the links to read more detail.  EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 adopted  On 29 November, the Council of Culture Ministers of the EU adopted a Resolution on the ...Read More

The Sustainable Museum

December 22, 2022
A review of The Sustainable Museum: How Museums Contribute to the Great Transformation by Christopher Garthe, 2022, Routledge. As a keen museum visitor, I’m intrigued by the vision Christopher Garthe sets out in his new book, The Sustainable Museum, contextualising museums within the global drive towards sustainability, and how ...Read More
Rwanda’s amazing natural heritage, Images: Ravenswood Media

Linking tourism, conservation and community development

December 22, 2022
An insight into the work of IE Institutional Member, Red Rocks Initiative from Rwanda.  Ravenswood Media and Red Rocks Initiative recently held a filmmaking class for national park rangers, trackers and guides. The training provides Rwandans with a media voice in the global discussion of our changing environment and shines ...Read More
The romantic Pradnik Valley, Images: Paweł Głowacki

Winter romance in a national park

December 22, 2022
We invite you to experience the natural and cultural beauty of Pradnik Valley – one of the most romantic places in Poland. The coming end of the year also ends the Year of Polish Romanticism established by the Parliament of the Republic of Poland. The Pradnik Valley in Ocjów National Park ...Read More

Adventures in the UK

December 22, 2022
A whirlwind year gaining much more than a degree in museum studies – so many new friends and rich experiences – all thanks to a scholarship.  It was July 2021. I just went to my office to continue my everyday tasks and an email arrived in my inbox that said Congratulations.  I ...Read More
Image: Max presenting words flowing like wine

Sharing of wine is sharing of stories

December 22, 2022
If interpretation creates meaningful connections and if wine can connect people – then what is better than sharing stories while tasting wine? Wine can tell us many stories and reveal secrets. Not only because of the old Latin saying “in vino veritas”, but also because of something that the ...Read More

Third Space in culture, heritage and learning

December 22, 2022
Some observations as our Erasmus+ project, Negotiating Identities in the Third Space, comes to an end. I have previously shared my thoughts and work on the topic of creating agonistic (third) spaces through heritage interpretation, most recently at IE’s 2020 web conference, ‘Fostering heritage communities’. (Conference proceedings: https://www ...Read More
The RibAR app and self-guided tour leaflet, Images: Ližnjan County Tourism Board

Understanding the fishing heritage of Ližnjan through inventive self-guided interpretation

December 22, 2022
Augmented reality and gamification connect generations in a village of abundant fishing heritage. Ližnjan is a small town in the Croatian region of Istria. It lies on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It doesn’t come as a surprise that the fishing tradition is a big part of its ...Read More
Drivenik Citadel, Image: Petar Fabijan

Inspirational Route of the Frankopans for a better future

December 22, 2022
Mastering interpretation by turning phenomena into experiences, evoking participation, taking care of heritage and offering deeper meanings. Following the Frankopan route, you can get to know 17 castles, fortified towns, towers and manors, as well as three religious buildings. If you’d like to hear captivating stories about an unknown ...Read More

Interpreting the great plantain

December 22, 2022
A short journey through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern from factual knowledge to professional interpretation. In October-November 2022, the LLS (Landeslehrstätte für Naturschutz und nachhaltige Entwicklung) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern organised an IE Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course. The aim was to train more people who are already certified nature and landscape guides ...Read More
Getting to know the open-air museum, Images: Josefine Schulz

To find the heart of a site – together

December 22, 2022
Setting a clear direction and using a cooperative approach to best find the heart of a site in your interpretation. When we are developing a site and want to interpret its innermost, its soul to others, it is important to include the nearby area and its residents and incorporate interpretation ...Read More
Images: from UNESCO Caribbean

Mills and the sugar legacy in the Caribbean

December 22, 2022
Interpret Europe was invited to a UNESCO event in Jamaica and spoke about value-based interpretation. The world mostly knows of the culture of Jamaica and other Caribbean islands through dance and music, which is of African origin and was alledgely the only form of expression during the period of ...Read More
Global Climate strike, London, March 2019, Image: Gary Knight on Flickr

HI for climate resilient future

December 22, 2022
IE signed a manifesto urging recognition of the power of the arts, culture and heritage to accelerate climate action. Heritage interpretation can and should be the key approach of the heritage and culture sector in the move for positive climate action. Ahead of the COP27 meeting held in Egypt in ...Read More
Re-engaging our senses - touch and smell, Images: Evarist March Sarlat

The COVID crisis – an opportunity to improve our interpretation

December 22, 2022
Forced physical distance and wearing masks gave us a chance to remember other senses and ways to engage with each other, and with our heritage. Without a doubt the period and experience of the COVID-19 global pandemic is and will be a case study for future generations from many ...Read More

IE Webinar: Local engagement: a game of mutual trust and inspiration

December 9, 2022
14 December 2022 at 18.00 CET In this webinar we will discuss why, but mostly how, locals can become co-creators in interpretation. Based on real cases shared by experienced interpreters and other professionals, we will try to determine what steps interpreters could take in order to build a ...Read More

IE Webinar: Does nature need interpretation?

November 15, 2022
23 November at 18:00 CET This webinar will address, in particular, nature guides. Today, the majority of the human population in Europe lives in urban areas where there is not much opportunity to encounter nature in the wild. Despite this, there are many romantic nature lovers and environmental warriors ...Read More

Call for Entries – European Heritage Awards/ Europa Nostra Awards 2023

October 26, 2022
Open for submissions until 25 November: European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2023 The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2023 are open for submissions! Europe’s most inspiring architects, craftsmen, cultural heritage experts, professionals, volunteers, public and private institutions, and local communities now have a new chance to be ...Read More
Heritage for children through storytelling

Heritage for children through storytelling

October 15, 2022
Thursday 20 October 2022, 18:00 CEST Children are the decision-makers of the future. Can interpretive programmes develop in children a sense of responsibility towards the use of the natural environment and a respect for cultural and historical heritage? I believe you will agree with me that it can ...Read More
European Heritage Days_EHMW Visit 2018

Young European Heritage Makers

September 27, 2022
Are you an ambassador of heritage? Be a storyteller, show what heritage means for your generation and share it with the rest of Europe! This competition, run by European Heritage Days (EHD), is open until 31 December 2022. Check if your country is participating and join the competition! You can ...Read More

iecon23: You don’t want to miss it

September 24, 2022
Join us in Romania where a UNESCO-designated, still inhabited, patrimonial estate in the heart of Transylvania will host our next conference.  If you consider coming to the IE conference, Creating learning landscapes through heritage interpretation, from 12-15 May 2023, here is what you will experience first-hand. Sighisoara ...Read More
Miljenko Šegulja: Workshop with Emil Mandarić from the regional association of the blind

Recognition for the blind water carrier

September 24, 2022
Cultural Heritage in Action enlists the Bakar Water Carrier in its catalogue of good practices. Could your project also be eligible? We have already written about the Bakar Water Carrier project in previous editions of this newsletter. This time, we would love to share some wonderful news with you! Cultural ...Read More
Frog Prince stories, Images Eyal Mitrani

It’s Frog Day, but where are the frogs?

September 24, 2022
Sensitive interpretation of endangered species seeks to raise awareness in their absence – in order to help protect them. The importance of wetland habitats – lakes, streams, swamps, winter pools which are flooded annually or seasonally – is indisputable: The species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and plants that develop in ...Read More
The Monument Project: Through Edward’s Eyes - image by Aikaterini Kanakaki

Re-imagining The Monument through sound. A collaboration

September 24, 2022
Digital technology was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to give students a practical and creative insight into work in the cultural sector. Over the summer of 2021, teams from Tower Bridge and The Monument to the Great Fire of London, and London Metropolitan University collaborated to make use of ...Read More
The blue heart of Europe , Image EcoAlbania

The blue heart of Europe keeps beating

September 24, 2022
A historic step by the Albanian government in June 2022 is a win for nature, the environment and Europe’s heritage. Vjosa is my daughter’s name, but it is also the name of a river in the south of Albania. It is a river that flows near the ...Read More
The National Literary-Memorial Museum of H.S. Skovoroda after the Russian bombardment (with permission of the National Literary-Memorial Museum of H.S. Skovoroda)

How Ukrainians are fighting on the cultural front

September 24, 2022
War affects us in many ways, including loss of cultural heritage. But there is some light among the destruction, making a difference.  Since the start of occupation in February 2022, Russian forces have damaged or outright destroyed more than 450 cultural landmarks, including 34 museums (according to the Ukrainian Cultural ...Read More
HAEMUS Farm cheese produced by one of the course participants, served with honey and walnuts

Interpretation of gastronomy as local identity

September 24, 2022
Training and workshop about the potential of gastronomic heritage as a test for the upcoming IE Gastronomic Heritage training module.  The project, ‘Interpretation of gastronomy as local identity’, supported by the EU-funded program i-Portunus was held in Macedonia between 13-18 May 2022. The host of the project ...Read More

It happened again!

September 24, 2022
How we typed our way through Certified Interpretive Writer (CIW) training. It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Interpret Europe’s courses. I try to seize any possible opportunity to join one. However, that’s not always easy. While the CIG is often available in different ...Read More

Read, understand and convey the beauty of Rügen

September 24, 2022
How to motivate others to communicate with natural and cultural phenomena? Interpretation as a method of giving things an emotional meaning. From March to May 2022 the Landesamt für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Geologie (LUNG) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern organised training for certified nature and landscape guides (ZNL) on the island of ...Read More
Promotional banner for the IE’s regional panel (IE)

IE’s first regional panel tackles natural heritage protection

September 24, 2022
Members from Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina joined together online to discuss heritage interpretation and nature. As a result of a joint collaboration between IE’s country coordinators for Slovenia (Marijaliza Fajdiga), Croatia (Andrijana Milosavljević), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Edo Mešić), together with Vida Ungar (IE’s natural heritage coordinator ...Read More
UNESCO Planning course Ljubljana

Why should heritage sites look towards UNESCO designated sites?

September 24, 2022
IE has again trained World Heritage Site managers from 14 European countries. Interpretive planning is an indispensable part of their future work. Good heritage interpretation no longer cares only for educating people about heritage. The need for involving people – locals and visitors – in interpretation, for discussing critical subjects, and to ...Read More
Image: European Commission EHL award ceremony

What can European Heritage Label sites do for Europeans?

September 24, 2022
Heard on Brussels’ stage: “Interpret Europe’s know-how can support heritage professionals connecting people with Europe’s heritage”. Imagine your local heritage having something in common with other European countries and regions. Yes, whole human history is connected somehow, but if you think of Roman frontiers, Enlightment ideas, the ...Read More

A recipe for Lessismoreandmoreisless

September 24, 2022
Interpretive lessons learned from an old Austrian tale – and if it whets your appetite, read on for a recipe! Does anybody know of Friedrich Torberg? Austrian critic, sportsman, raconteur, journalist, and novelist. His mother Hungarian, his father Czech; Jew and anti-fascist; writer of the ‘Schüler Gerber’ and translator of ...Read More
Portrait from Pompeii, Image: ludwig

Interpretive themes during the Ancient era?

September 24, 2022
In Hellenistic times, epigrams were meant to add deeper meaning to the experience of heritage sites and monuments. The oldest surviving epigrams are inscriptions at Greek sanctuaries around 500 BC. Accordingly, the word ‘epigram’ is derived from the Greek word ἐπιγράφειν (epigraphein = to write on). Good epigrams had to be ...Read More
Storytelling and heritage.

Storytelling and heritage.

September 14, 2022
Wednesday 21 September 2022, 18:00 CEST Whether we feel we are included or have a sense of belonging, or a shared identity often results from how we relate to our surroundings, both as individuals and as groups. Heritage plays a crucial role in this; it can be used to ...Read More