In an open letter, the Heritage Cells Consultation criticizes the drastic reduction of funds for the cultural heritage sector. The organization fears that the 47 million euro cuts will end 25 years of investment in diverse heritage and strong networks, effectively 'turning off the light' for initiatives that keep heritage alive in society.
Heritage cells play a crucial role in supporting heritage projects that occur daily. They facilitate reminiscence projects in care homes, serve as digital resources for schools, and assist heritage communities in sharing their traditions and histories. They also contribute to craftsmanship-based art and enrich the urban canon with new narratives.
With small, driven teams, heritage cells implement tangible projects that connect thousands of people and organizations. They offer support, advice, and expertise to volunteers, associations, and local authorities, enabling them to preserve, share, and pass on what is valuable. For regions lacking specific heritage organizations, they act as a primary point of contact and support.
The letter emphasizes that heritage is integral to society, not peripheral. Over the years, heritage cells have built bridges between education, welfare, care, and integration, often before these became policy themes. These relationships of trust and long-term connections are essential and cannot simply be discarded.
The consequences of the budget cuts extend beyond the heritage sector itself. They affect associations, volunteers, schools, and care institutions, thereby impacting social cohesion in cities and municipalities. Heritage thrives at the heart of society, and heritage cells are the driving force behind initiatives that would otherwise not grow.
The Heritage Cells Consultation calls for not 'turning off the light' on 25 years of heritage policy, as caring for heritage is not just about the past but also about what connects people today and what they wish to pass on to future generations.
