European Cultural Heritage Days 2023

European Heritage Days are the most celebrated cultural event shared by the people of Europe. The Council of Europe launched the initiative in 1985, and in 1999 the European Union joined to create a joint action that continues to this day.

In September each year, ECHD events, often called open heritage days, are held in the member states of the European Cultural Convention, the doors are open to numerous cultural monuments and sites, allowing the citizens of Europe to enjoy free visits, to learn about their common cultural heritage, encouraging them to actively engage in the protection and promotion of heritage for current and future generations.

This year’s theme of the European Cultural Heritage Days is “Living Heritage”.

“Living heritage” refers to the practices, knowledge and skills that are passed down from one generation to another and are still used today. Various skills, trades and professions enable us to maintain and preserve our heritage in many ways. This topic gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at the work done by the custodians of our heritage, precisely thanks to the people who pass on their knowledge to future generations.
Traditionally, the National Gallery is part of the event. On September 29, 2023, a workshop for children dedicated to the work of Dicho Zografot was held in the premises of Cifte Hamam. This activity organized by the educator Maja Dimitrova is part of the series of events within the European Days of Cultural Heritage (September 22-29, 2023). At the workshop, students from “Nevena Georgieva Dunja” OU, Skopje, had the opportunity to gain basic knowledge about the life and work of the most famous Macedonian painter of the 19th century. The workshop flowed through conversation and creative activity – coloring drawings inspired by the motifs of icons and frescoes created by Dicho Zografot and his team.
The author of the coloring book is Aneta Georgievska Shajn, an art historian who has been living in the United States for several decades.

Cultural heritage in education is one of the motives for understanding history and raising awareness of its significance.

Educator, Maja Dimitrova