... in the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Romania in recognition of exceptional conservation, research and education efforts. The awarded projects received a cheques for 10 000 euro .
The prizes were awarded by the the director of Communication and Culture,European Commission's director of Culture and Communicaton, Vladimir Sucha, and Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, during a Ceremony on the 12 June 2008 in Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
The six prizes were awarded in the following categories:
Conservation: The conservation of the Southern façade of Horní Hrad (Upper Castle) of the ÄŒeský Krumlov State Castle, Czech Republic, which is awarded for establishing new standards in the Czech monument care and is appreciated as an excellent example of a respectful conservation. The conservation of the archaeological site of Skarkos on the Island of Ios, Greece, which is awarded for the outstanding quality of the conservation work and above all the minimal and extremely sensitive character of the interventions, having no impact to a unique landscape.
The restoration and adaptive re-use of the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which is honoured as an exemplary approach to the restoration of and finding new uses for an iconic building of European and world importance.
Research: The Inventory of the Fortified Military Architecture in Spain by the Asociación Española de Amigos de los Castillos, Spain, which is appreciated as an excellent example of raising awareness of Spain's military heritage that is not only important to Spain, but highly significant on a European level as well.
Dedicated service: Stichting Stadsherstel Hoorn, the Netherlands, which is a highly succesful example of civil society's involvement in the safeguard of Europe's historic city centres and of the importance of volunteers.
Education, training and awareness raising: The International Built Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Bánffy Castle in Bonțida, Romania, which is highly valued for its double approach: training for conservation and conservation through training. It is an excellent example of cross border exchange of knowledge and a worthy winner of this award in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue .
In addition to the six top Prizes, twenty-one Medals (2nd Prize) were awarded. More details on the Europa Nostra Website: http://www.europanostra.org/awards/2008/laureates.html.On 12 June 2008 in Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom, the awards were presented by S.A.R. la Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón, President of Europa Nostra, and Mr Vladimir Sucha, Director for Culture, Multilingualism and Communication at the European Commission's DG for Education and Culture. |
More information on the Culture Programme and the European Commission’s awards in the field of culture: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
