European Days of the inheritance

The European Journées of the Patrimoine are an annual European demonstration, founded in 1991 by the the Council of Europe (with the support of the European Union) on the model of the “Days Open doors of the historic buildings” create in 1983 by the Ministère of the Culture French.

Organized today in more than one forty country and areas of Europe, the local demonstrations whose dates are spread out at the end of August at the beginning of November, allow the discovery of many buildings and other places often open exceptionally to the public, or of museums whose access is free or at reduced price.

These days are the occasion to foresee the unit and the diversity of the cultural heritage common to Europe.

History

They were launched in 1984 in France by the Ministère of the Culture French on the initiative of Jack Lang, Minister for the time under the name of Journée open doors in the historic buildings .

Following the success of the Days of the inheritance organized by the France, several European countries decide to organize their days of the inheritance as of the following year.

In 1991, the the Council of Europe institutes officially the European Journées of the inheritance (following the proposal of Jack Lang to give a European dimension to this initiative), which the European Union joins by supporting the office of coordination in its mission of international promotion.

Organization in France

These days are one privileged moment making it possible to the French to visit free their national heritage, monuments, churches, theaters, castles, but also of the private residences, the banks, the courts, the prefectures, law courts, town halls, chambers of commerce, etc, all kinds of buildings which, usually, are closed with the public or little attended by him.

These days of the inheritance are launched each year the 3ère weekend of September.

The most visited monuments are those of the capital and in particular all the official places of the government (Elys3ee palace, ministries, Palais Bourbon, Palais of Luxembourg), but of the scientific and industrial sites also make discover their secrecies.

The provincial towns are not in remainder to present to the public their cultural heritage, industrialist, architecturel and history having taken part in the history of the commune. More and more of private owners launch out in this operation to present their inheritance.

Into 1992, the demonstration changes name into France and previously becomes the national Journées of the inheritance ( Journée open doors in the historic buildings ) and its duration passes from one to two days.

Since 1995, a general topic is proposed: that of 2006 is: Let us make live our inheritance .

Name European Journées of the inheritance becomes official in France in 2000.

Because of the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 intervened to the the United States, the initially programmed demonstration the Saturday the 15th and Sunday, September 16 is cancelled.

At the time of the edition 2005, more than 12 million visitors invested 15.480 sites and benefitted from 20.000 animations suggested including 1.000 open sites for the first time this year and 3.129 places opened exceptionally.

Organization in Belgium

Since 1989, the days of the inheritance are organized separately by the three areas of the country, qualified for the management of the inheritance. Each area fixes the set of themes and the dates of the event, the second or third weekend of September.

Organization in Brussels

The organization of the Days of the inheritance in Région of Brussels-capital is directed by the regional direction of the Monuments and sites. The Days of Brussels of the inheritance do not proceed at the same dates as those organized in the two other areas of the country.

Since 2005, the Days of the Inheritance are followed Monday of the Inheritance , especially intended for the schools of Brussels primary (5th and 6th primary educations) and secondaries, with which are proposed with visits of places or activities in bond with the topic of the Days.

Topic of the edition 2006 Body & spirit: By this topic, the Area wishes to revalorize the places related on education, the knowledge and the sport.
Topic of the edition 2007: Light and lighting Discovered public inheritance and space under the angle of the use of the natural and artificial light.

Organization in Wallonia

Topic of the military edition 2007 Inheritance : Prehistory at our days, buildings and sites related on the defensive and offensive systems and the memory of the conflicts.

Organization in Flanders

Topic of the edition 2007 To live (in Dutch Wonen (to live)): dwelling and places of life in the broad sense, visit of monuments and private dwellings, walks and excursions cyclists guided through districts of dwellings

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