12 to 15 May, Sighișoara (Romania)
Save the dates and get ready for a long-expected Interpret Europe live conference, a diverse, inspirational and impactful gathering of heritage experts from all over Europe and beyond, with an existing range of presentations, hands-on experiences, study visits and networking opportunities.
Under the theme ‘Creating learning landscapes through heritage interpretation’, we will build on our current partnership with UNESCO, paving the way for all heritage to co-create more sustainable and mindful societies.
To foster peace and sustainability, UNESCO recently defined requirements for value-based heritage interpretation. Participation, co-creation and inclusion became buzz words and featured also in IE’s cooperation with UNESCO. But how can all those concepts be achieved in practice?
Can interpretation turn landscapes into learning landscapes, inspiring both locals and visitors for handling crisis and for transition towards sustainability? What is the value of direct heritage experiences in complementing formal learning? And how can value-based interpretation at UNESCO-designated properties enrich museums and other heritage sites?
The Historic Centre of Sighișoara World Heritage Site provides the ideal setting for discussing such questions at our 2023 conference. The oldest inhabited mediaeval citadel in Europe, with its multi-ethnic atmosphere, will be our host and an ideal spring board for our study visits into the heart of mythic ‘land beyond the forests’ – Transylvania. We will be enchanted by UNESCO-designated villages with fortified churches like Viscri and Saschiz where villagers play a leading role in the preservation and interpretation of traditional lifestyle. We will talk with activists from the Carpathian Mountains about the creation of a wilderness reserve through involving local communities. Hateg Country UNESCO Global Geopark will send us on a time travel to our planet’s history from the dinosaurs’ time to the time of humans and their middle ages until the present and, last but not least, we will wander along the narrow streets, with their fascinating architecture, of mediaeval Brasov.
Join us in Romania from 12 to 15 May 2023 for a packed programme of inspiring speeches, workshops, presentations and study visits where we’ll explore how value-based interpretation can pave the ground for all heritage sites to become inclusive, participatory and reflective learning landscapes.
Our IE conference Creating learning landscapes through heritage interpretation will be organised by AICI Architecture Studio.
The city of Sighișoara is about 290km north of Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Trains and buses link the two cities with fares around €20 or less. The journey time for both is around 5.5 to 6 hours. Pre-conference tour will be organised from Sibiu and a post-conference tour will go to Bucharest. Nevertheless, we will organise transfers from and to several international airports for groups of attendees on demand. The cost of accommodation is very reasonable. For more information visit the IE conference website.
