IE News

This methodology can create space to articulate and honour community-valued notions of heritage, as the heart of any interpretation strategy. When the powerful write history Normally the spoils of victory go to the winners, but not at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Wyoming, USA. In 1876 Lt. Col. George ...Read More

From military cemeteries to prehistoric burial sites

In January, 14 interpreters from the American Battle Monuments Commission met in Draguignan, France, for the commission’s first CIW training. The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is an agency of the executive branch of the American government. The commission is the guardian of overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials ...Read More

Creative course in the city on a grain of salt

The city of Tuzla hosted 12 participants from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for an IE CIG course. Tuzla, the city on a grain of salt, is in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is one of the oldest settlements in Europe with continuity of life. The oldest stilt houses settlement in ...Read More

Impressions of iecon24

Whether you joined iecon in Koper or missed out, here is a flavour of the experience as we already look forward to meeting again in 2025. Once again IE created a meeting place for lovers of heritage interpretation in all its various forms. A place to find participants from Asia ...Read More

Finding the future of heritage interpretation within ourselves

Seeking to challenge mindsets on sustainability at the Interpret Europe conference #iecon24 held in Koper, Slovenia, on 21-24 March 2024. What can be achieved in four days of conversations, presentations, lectures, workshops, meals, bus rides and site visits, with a view to sustainable development within the heritage interpretation sector ...Read More

Provocation with a capital P

The thought-provoking power of a graffiti message that stopped me in my tracks. “We are all eco-terrorists!” The striking message in capital letters in green paint on the concrete road barrier receded in my rear-view mirror as I drove home but it stuck in my mind. The ...Read More

General Assembley results

IE’s General Assembly took place in Koper, Slovenia, on 21 March as well as online. The General Assembly was attended by members who had travelled to Slovenia for iecon24 and was also made available for members to join online if they were not able to make it in person ...Read More

Call for social media coordinator

December 20, 2023

Click, like, share – Do you like engaging on social media? IE is looking for your support! Are you keen on developing and posting content on several social media channels? If so, and if you are also good at managing a small team and could give a few hours of your ...Read More

Erasmus+ for projects and training

December 20, 2023

Consider this funding stream to support your projects – there are new calls with deadlines in February. Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe, with an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social ...Read More

Interpreting red hot chilli peppers and a donkey farm

Small businesses joined our training module to get inspired by heritage interpretation methods and become Interpretative Hosts! During the last weekend in September, a group of women gathered in the small city of Ivanić Grad, about 40 minutes’ drive from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Ana Gašparović, director of the ...Read More

The first swedish CIW course – a really creative one

Nine interpreters met amongst canal locks, elk, locomotives and Saab cars to be creative in the making of CIW signs and audio guides. In September an IE Certified Interpretive Writer (CIW) course was held in Trollhättan in western Sweden. Participants from the region of Västra Götaland were the hosts and ...Read More

Transhumance

A symphony of birth, heritage, and UNESCO recognition. In the hushed allure of December’s frosty embrace, my mother’s birthday unfolds as a lyrical chapter in the ancestral tale of transhumance – a saga woven into the very fabric of our family’s history. With a ...Read More

Toy stories

Who remembers the games of their childhood, and the toys we used to play with? Inspired by the topic of childhood and the complexity of social life today, but also witnessing that childhood can be lost for many others, we chose to address this topic in the spirit of historical ...Read More

The training of trainers

An inspiring and long-awaited Certified Interpretive Trainer (CIT) course took place in the breathtaking location of Arnoga, Italy. This thought-provoking experience welcomed over 20 participants from 13 European countries, uniting them in the community of interpretive trainers. Organised by Vanessa Vaio, IE’s Country Coordinator Italy, the course ...Read More

The Wadden Sea, an unknown gem in The Netherlands

This was the setting for an IE Certified Interpretive Planner (CIP) Course. Our experience at the Wadden Sea in three words? Windy, awe and sustainability. It is certain that it was a special week in September. Not only because it was a very pleasant collaboration between Interpret Europe Belgium and ...Read More

Challenge your mindset

Join us for iecon24 to discuss and explore how heritage interpretation can change our mindset towards sustainability. You don’t want to miss it! Our conference team is working away to ensure that we are ready to welcome you to Slovenia for our next conference, Sustainability: Challenging mindsets through heritage ...Read More

Can we fit three years of interpretive training in 120 minutes?

The results of the WH-Interp project were presented at an open webinar, available now on IE’s YouTube channel. Successful follow-up of a project means that its outcomes are disseminated, or even transferred into solid actions for the future. This is the case with the WH-Interp project ...Read More

Interpretation as an art of listening

Uncovering the artistry of interpretation through a different lens – the transformative power of active listening in every exchange. In the serene surroundings of the Krka National Park in Croatia, the workshop ‘Interpretation as an art of listening’ unfolded, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and shared learning experiences. Participants not only delved ...Read More

Horizon Europe Framework Programme

The window is open 4 October until 7 February 2024 for Research and innovation on cultural heritage and CCIs. The European Union should endeavour to use its cultural and creative assets to better assert its influence around the world. The arts can play an important role on building the contemporary ...Read More

New publication: The Art and Science of Food Experience

This new book (in Croatian: Znanost i umjetnost doživljaja hrane) satisfies a hunger to highlight gastronomic heritage interpretation techniques. This new book will surely pique your interest and ignite your passion for the science of food! It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of a cutting-edge ...Read More

Taking time for local cultural heritage

It’s nice to travel and explore new places, but equally good to remind ourselves sometimes what is already under our own feet. Summer is often a good time to explore, with some spare time and usually nice weather. Before autumn took a hold of the land, I took time ...Read More

Former school transformed into climate and environment hub

An Irish Group Water Scheme is challenging and supporting the next generation: Can interpretation change attitudes and inspire positive action This story started back in 2005 when the forward-thinking management of the Tydavnet Group Water Scheme in County Monaghan, Ireland, hatched a plan to invest in the next generation ...Read More

Interpreting Italy

A pilot project exploring strengths and challenges of heritage interpretation practice in the country. Heritage interpretation is being increasingly recognised worldwide as a crucial practice for effective heritage management, sustainability and impact. However, in some countries, heritage management systems still struggle to fully integrate interpretation in the heritage work practice ...Read More

Examining the Future

Looking at the building blocks of the past, present and future of an Irish town through Lego – inviting input from children and adults alike. In September, I attended a truly inspiring event in the town of Drogheda in Co Louth, Ireland, as part of Irish Heritage Week. Set in the ...Read More

Unlocking Europe’s heritage: European Heritage Days & HAEMUS initiatives

European Heritage Days (EHD) showcased the evolving landscape of heritage interpretation, highlighting its significance for our sustainable future. In Skopje, North Macedonia, a series of events underscored this pivotal role during the European Heritage Days (EHD) and signaled a new era of accessibility for both professionals and the general public ...Read More

What will IE look like in 2030?

IE’s SC invites members to take part in looking to the future of IE and informing the next five-year strategic plan. If this question is important to you, and you want to contribute to IE’s plans for the next five years, come and dream with us and ...Read More

Interpretive planners, heads up!

We follow the call of our members that want to connect, cooperate and exchange with other members dealing with interpretive planning. For some years, various interpretive planners, consultants, architects, curators, designers, and other related experts, regardless of how their business is constituted, have been expressing the need to be connected ...Read More

UNESCO Ye WH Planning course Ljubljana 2023

Towards 21st century guidelines for the development of interpretive strategies

As we develop value-based heritage interpretation and learning landscapes, we now discuss the importance of interpretive strategies. An interpretive strategy aims to connect different heritage sites within a city or region in terms of heritage interpretation. It may also refer to one larger protected area (biosphere reserve, historic city ...Read More

Interpreting our museums

A beautiful venue and warm atmosphere – perfect circumstances for talking about interpretation in the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek. On 22-23 September, passionate interpreters and museum professionals met in Sulejówek, near Warsaw, Poland, to discuss how heritage interpretation can help museums. Some of the guests joined us online, including ...Read More

Are heritage experts challenged?

About what is discussed at the European stage and what is the future role of interpretation. These lines contain some thoughts about the questions and concerns related to the most recent developments in heritage that started occupying my head after the two most recent events I was invited to as ...Read More

#iecon24: Save the date!

Block 21-24 March 2024 in your calendar for the Interpret Europe conference, Sustainability: Challenging mindsets through heritage interpretation. There is hardly any layer in our societal tissue that is not concerned by the serious situation that we are currently facing. Mainstream politics advocate more sustainable growth, since any solution ...Read More

iecon23: Proceedings

The conference proceedings from the IE conference 2023 in Romania are now available online. If you would like to spend your summer reading time discovering more detail from some of the presentations you attended at iecon23, or if you missed the gathering in Romania and would like to know some ...Read More

Erasmus+

It’s always worth checking the Erasmus+ website for the latest calls and opportunities. Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe, with an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green ...Read More

European Heritage Alliance roundup

A summary of the top news stories from our colleagues in the EHA. Laptops for Ukraine initiative extended to help museums and libraries safeguard cultural heritage [European Commission / Europeana Foundation] Laptops for Ukraine is an initiative by the European Commission, the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation and Digital Europe, a ...Read More

Manual for sustainability of cultural heritage

A new book launched in Croatian for professionals and enthusiasts. We are excited to share some remarkable news with you! It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce the release of a highly anticipated book, which we believe will captivate the hearts and minds of professionals and enthusiasts ...Read More

Culture and democracy – The evidence

A new report from the European Commission supports IE’s beliefs on the importance of participatory, value-based interpretation. On 23 June, the European Commission published a report on how citizen participation in cultural activities enhances civic engagement, democracy and social cohesion. In the run-up to the European elections ...Read More

The ‘Calécc’ of the Valli del Bitto

In the ‘Valli del Bitto’ a traditional way of producing an excellent cheese survives, compelling wise use of local environmental resources. Hikers walking the paths of the so-called ‘Valli del Bitto’ (five valleys that originate from the harsh peaks of the Pizzo dei Tre Signori – Monte Ponteranica ...Read More

Kunstuur – An extraordinary exhibition in Mechelen

Did you ever cry looking at a painting? Here’s some reflections on the Kunstuur, record-breaking arts exhibition in Belgium. Inviting her to Mechelen We had the pleasure to meet in Mechelen this Spring, Helena and I. For me it was a throw back to 2016 when we organised ...Read More

Eastern Serbia on a roll

CIG and Eastern Serbia – The magic is mutual A rare and exciting sight happened in the first days of June in the Serbian town of Zaječar. The first group of Interpret Europe’s Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG) in the country received their certificates, while, at the same time, the second ...Read More

New perspectives

The Interpret Europe Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course may tell you where to look, but not what to see. A brief: Turning things upside down to get a better perspective of our heritage is always a good idea! How breaking the old patterns of thought, though difficult, can lead to ...Read More

CIG gives a fresh perspective

In the picturesque city of Lipik, interactive learning and encouraging collaborative work gave a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks. The IE Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course held in May 2023 in the eastern Croatian city of Lipik was organised through the Terme Lipik integrated project for the development and revitalisation ...Read More

Phenomena created friendships

Acquiring knowledge for interpretive guides in the city of fairy tales also encouraged the creation of friendships. In Ogulin, a fairytale town in the heart of Croatia, a group of hard-working, enthusiastic and cheerful people gathered in March for IE’s Certified Interpretative Guide (CIG) course. The course leaders ...Read More

Heritage interpretation is not a fairy tale

For a Polish group of museum employees, heritage interpretation is no longer a fairy tale as they joined an IE course in Ogulin. March was an exceptional month for the team of the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek in many respects. One was certainly the opportunity to go to Ogulin ...Read More

New digital library

IE’s Research Team has been busy behind the scenes and is ready to launch the new IE Digital Library. Are you a trainer in need of more in-depth information to use in your courses? Do you need solid references to strengthen your project proposals? Would you like to ...Read More

Are we all tourism experts?