Mega-events in Heritage Cities

Will cities need mega-events in the post-pandemic world? Will they be able to organize them? How to connect the issues of cultural heritage with the contemporary, socio-economic context of this type of event? What are the threats and opportunities of organizing a mega-event?

On September 28, the International Cultural Centre will host a meeting devoted to mega-events and heritage in the post-pandemic world, especially in the context of the coming competition for the European Capital of Culture 2029 in Poland. The discussion will be based on the Charter for Mega-events in Heritage-rich Cities, a document, developed during the HOMEE international project (2018-2021). The Charter is a set of recommendations and examples of their implementation that is meant to help cities to take full advantage of numerous opportunities resulting from organizing mega-events, while minimalizing the risks posed to their heritage.

The main discussion of the meeting will be broadcasted live on the ICC FB profile.

 Agenda

14:00 - 14:45 lunch and registration;

14:45 - 14:50 opening of the meeting - Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik (director of the ICC);

14:45 - 15:15 introduction to the problem of events in heritage cities and presentation of the Charter for Mega-events in Heritage-rich Cities - Prof. Jacek Purchla, Dr. Joanna Sanetra-Szeliga (ICC – Cracow University of Economics, HOMEE project);

15:15 - 16:15 discussion panel with Dominika Kawalerowicz (Program Director, Culture Zone Wrocław), Robert Piaskowski (Plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Krakow for Culture), Marcin Skrzypek (The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre); chaired by Dr. Joanna Sanetra-Szeliga (ICC - Cracow University of Economics, HOMEE project) and Anna Kozioł (National Heritage Board of Poland, HOMEE project);

16:15 - 17:30 moderated workshop discussion with all participants; chaired by Anna Kozioł and Dr. Joanna Sanetra-Szeliga.

 The Charter for Mega-events in Heritage-rich Cities is based on an in-depth and retrospective study of five completed mega-events and a synchronous study of the life cycle of one mega event. Its content was positively validated during a series of workshops by decision-makers, local authorities and event organizers. It has also been recognized as helpful for entities organising mega-events, planning and hosting such events in historic and special historical importance places. The Charter was endorsed by such entities as: Europa Nostra, Organization of World Heritage Cities, Observatory for Research on Mega-Events, United Cities and Local Governments, Kraków Municipality, ECoC Kaunas 2022, ECoC Eleusis 2023, etc.