On 21–22 May, the European Heritage Days (EHD) Assembly convened at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, bringing together national coordinators, EU representatives, and cultural leaders to explore the evolving role of heritage across Europe.

ACE President, Ruth Schagemann participated to emphasise the central role of architecture in shaping and sustaining Europe’s cultural identity.

With more than 50,000 events held annually under the EHD initiative, the scale and impact of heritage engagement across the continent are clear—and growing. As the theme for 2026, “Heritage at Risk” presents both a challenge and an opportunity. For ACE, it’s a call to action—to ensure that architectural heritage, in all its diversity, is recognised, valued, and protected.

Architecture as Cultural Anchor

✅ Heritage is where identity meets memory
Architecture gives form to our collective memory—from cherished landmarks to overlooked spaces. These places carry stories, traditions, and emotions that make European heritage tangible and lived.

✅ The next generation is already shaping heritage
Across Europe, young people are engaging with heritage through innovative means—storytelling, digital media, and creative learning. Architects have a role to play in nurturing this engagement and ensuring heritage evolves inclusively.

✅ Architects and communities must lead together
Preserving heritage is not just about protecting monuments—it’s about sustaining lived environments. Architects, working hand-in-hand with communities, can bridge sustainability, resilience, and cultural continuity.

Let’s turn risk into responsibility—and build a future rooted in shared memory and resilient design. 

About the European Heritage Days

The European Heritage Days are the most widely celebrated participatory cultural event shared by the people of Europe. The Council of Europe launched the initiative in 1985, and in 1999 was joined by the European Union to create the joint action, which has continued up to the present day. Conceivably, the Programme, which can boast up to 20 million visitors every year, generates the greatest value, Euro for Euro, of any “European” cultural project. Read more: https://www.europeanheritagedays.com/EHD-Programme/About/About-Us