European Year of Cultural Heritage – the celebrations begin!

The purpose of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to raise awareness of the social and economic importance of cultural heritage. Thousands of initiatives and events across Europe will provide the possibility to involve citizens from all backgrounds. The aim is to reach out to the widest possible audience, in particular children and young people, local communities and people who are rarely in touch with culture, to promote a common sense of ownership.

To realise this goal the EU institutions will collaborate with the member states, the local and regional authorities, as well as the heritage sector, local communities, and NGOs.

Each of the member states has appointed special teams to coordinate and realise the tasks as part of the EYCH 2018. This role will be played in Poland by the International Cultural Centre by the decision of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage . With the objectives of the EYCH 2018 in mind, the ICC will take up a variety of mutually complementary activities focusing on research, education, promotion, and information.

The inauguration of EYCH2018 ocurred during the European Culture Forum taking place on 7–8 December in Milan.
The official launch of the EYCH 2018 in Poland will take place on 25 January in Cracow.