04.06.2024 (Caucasian Journal). On 30 May, the European Commission and Europa Nostra announced the 2024 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. This year, Europe’s most prestigious awards for heritage go to 26 winners from 18 countries across the continent, including from Armenia and Georgia.
The ‘Teryan Cultural Centre – Empowering Armenian Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh’ project from Armenia is one of five winners in the category ‘Education, Training and Skills’.
Since 2002, the Teryan Cultural Center has been committed to the study and preservation of Armenian culture, undertaking extensive research and hosting exhibitions about this culture. Since 2016, it has partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to take part in the ‘My Armenia’ project, training 55 Armenian artisans from the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, and enabling them to share their crafts with local and international audiences.
Following the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020, the Center swiftly transformed itself into a beacon of hope, offering humanitarian aid to Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. In the face of the extreme adversity that these displaced people face, culture and heritage have been utilised to foster pride and create a sense of hope for the future.
The ‘Citizens’ Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower’ (Akhieli, Georgia) project is among seven winners in the ‘Citizens’ Engagement and Awareness-raising’ category.
Rehabilitation of the Tsiskarauli Tower was supported by a grant from ALIPH – the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas. Georgia benefitted with an amount of US$ 157,290, of which about US$ 34,000 went directly to the local community, actively involved in the project activities.
The medieval tower in Khevsureti was severely damaged by a Russian missile in 2001, during the Second Chechen war. In 2021-2023, the National Trust of Georgia set up a collaborative European project to restore the tower in a remote high-mountain region of Georgia. The complex project was successfully implemented thanks to the high commitment and excellent collaboration of British, French, Polish and Georgian partners, an experienced team of professionals, technical experts, local villagers, traditional craftspeople, and the tireless effort of 46 young Georgian and European volunteers.
The Awards identify and promote best practices in the conservation and enhancement of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, stimulate the trans-frontier exchange of knowledge throughout Europe, increase public awareness and appreciation of Europe’s cultural heritage, and encourage further excellent initiatives through the power of example.
The Call for Entries for the 2025 edition of the Awards will open in Autumn 2024.
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