Warranting people to re-access the „lighthouses“ of their ancestors is not a nostalgic aspect of museal curiosity, but an active contribution to the preservation of historical memory. Preserving lithic witnesses of time is a contribution to the history of global ideas. This is the particular objective of The European Heritage Project and central aspect that has led to the organisation’s foundation.
Here it is about to prevent another looming loss of substance. Typical measures include roof renovations, static interventions to eliminate a risk of collapse, removal of virulent water damage (pipe breaks, etc.) and provisional measures to secure parts of the building (supports, covers, etc.).
This not only covers the actual physical situation (room book, measurements, land use, etc.), but also includes the legal framework and the integration into other existing structures. Structural changes of the past have to be uncovered and evaluated. As far as possible, the basic concept of the historical builder should be determined and put into relation with the existing substance.
By a historian, the historical sources are to be determined and evaluated the monument. As far as possible, the help of regional authorities as well as public or church institutions is used. In any case, a detailed documentation is to be created.
The future use is essential for the actual restructuring. When creating a conception, the historical concept, the actual historical use and various possibilities for future use should be reconciled. Aspects of sustainability as well as recent findings in building physics must be taken into account for the usage concept as well as increased demands on the comfort of use. The subsequent use must in any case include the permanent economic ability to self-sustain the structure.
In cooperation with architects, structural engineers, etc., the legally required submission plan must be prepared. The preservation of monuments must be integrated early in this phase.
The permitting phase must be accompanied by the senior architect. Insofar as historic preservation permits must be obtained separately, they must be requested in the required form. In this phase, close contact with the approval authority is to be maintained
Here is the procedure according to the following scheme:
a. The historical substance is to be conserved as far as possible and to be trained
b. Necessary interventions in the substance are to be kept as small as possible
c. Over time, losses of substance are gross. to be corrected by supplements of the same kind and quality based on the substance.
d. Reconstructions are permissible insofar as the historical picture is restored. New additions are to be avoided.
e. Contemporary encores are in principle dismantle.
f. The state of the art today has to be considered. In particular, safety aspects (fire protection, occupational safety, etc.), environmental aspects (insulation, noise protection, energy and CO2 efficiency), accessibility (lifts, thresholds, etc.) and the promotion of planned use must be taken into account.
g. In case of conflict, the Board of Trustees decides.
As far as the monument was taken over without historical inventory, a careful reinventing should be done to promote the holistic character of the monument. It is important to pay attention to style and function. Superfluous kitsch is to be avoided.
After completion of the work, a new documentation about the structural situation has to be prepared. The persons responsible for the later use are to introduce into the circumstances of the monument. Sensitive areas or unusual operations are to be explained. About the introduction is to create a protocol that is to be signed by the users.
On the Selection Process
Preserving the cultural heritage of humanity today is a universally recognised, global concern. Pursuant to UNESCO:
„In today’s interconnected world, culture’s power to transform societies is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from our cherished historic monuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms – enrich our everyday lives in countless ways. Heritage constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change and economic instability.”
This puts the preservation of cultural heritage on a par with projects such as the fight against poverty, the maintenance of peace and the creation of global equal opportunities.
But in fulfilling this task, public organizations depend on the support of private initiatives. The preservation of historic monuments as focal points of regional identity is a challenge that exceeds any public possibility. For example, historical monuments and socially defining architectural focal points have been abandoned to decay worldwide. And what was once removed from the architectural memory also leaves a trace of historical oblivion in the minds of the people.
The European Heritage Project has set itself the task of making its own contribution in this context. In particular, historically unique monuments that shape their region over centuries, but have been neglected over time and are often at the mercy of complete decay, are to be preserved for future generations.
With high scientific effort, with tireless patience and last but not least with considerable financial expenditure The European Heritage Project wants to make these monuments again what they always were:
For castles, palaces, monasteries, estates or historic urban ensembles not only reflected the pride of their time and thus stood for the historical self-understanding of the people they were attached to, but were and still are the identification points of the cultural self-location of the people living there today.
Giving people access to these “lighthouses” of their ancestors again is not a nostalgic aspect of museum curiosity, but an active contribution to the preservation of historical memory. This is the aim of The European Heritage Project.
Finally, concentrating on the European aspect has nothing to do with local arrogance, but is due above all to the size of the project and the need for a regional focus.
However, global ideas such as those of human rights, ethics, democracy, science and research certainly have their origins in the Graeco-Roman school of thought and Christian doctrine, ideas that were intensively discussed in Europe and later received from there world-wide application, even if their historical roots are often forgotten.
It is therefore the European architectural monuments that accompanied these processes and made them possible either through their design and function or as a result of these processes.
Preserving these stone witnesses is therefore also a contribution to the history of global ideas.
Purpose of the The European Heritage Project (“EHP”) is the conservation of historic monuments in Europe.
3.1 Potential objects to be included in the EHP are architectural monuments which:
(a) used to have a formative character for the respective political society of a region due to:
(i) their special historical significance;
(ii) their particular architectural relevance; or
(iii) their exemplary function; and
(b) are in a conservation state of imminent total loss or destruction of essential parts.
3.2 Also architectural monuments which alone do not meet the criteria of clause 3.1. can be included if, in conjunction with other monuments, they form an ensemble fulfilling the criteria of clause 3.1.
4.1 The possible architectural monuments are classified and examined by the Board of Trustees based on significance, feasibility, required resources and subsequent use.
4.2 The decision on the selection of a project is made exclusively by the Board of Trustees.
4.3 The Heritage Council shall be informed of a decision. Each member of the Heritage Council shall be authorised to give its own opinion to the Board of Trustees.
5.1 The EHP can grant awards for the exemplary conservation of historic monuments.
5.2 Awards will be granted by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the Heritage Council.
5.3 Detail are set forth in separate guidelines.
The Charity shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of this Charta and the guidelines passed in accordance therewith.
7.1 The members of the Board of Trustees shall be the trustees of the Charity.
7.2 The members of the Board of Trustees shall exercise their powers jointly, at meetings convened in accordance with this scheme.
7.3 The Board of Trustees shall have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 members,
7.4 All members of the Board of Trustees other than the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman shall be appointed by the Heritage Council in accordance with procedures decided by the Heritage Council.
7.5 Every member of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed for three years, and retiring members shall be eligible for re- appointment.
New members of the Board of Trustees shall be given, within a reasonable period of his or her appointment, an appropriate induction into the affairs of the EHP and the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees.
A person shall cease to be a member of the Board of Trustees if he or she gives notice in writing of his or her intention to resign to the Chairman.
The board of Trustees Curators are responsible for the operational implementation of the respective projects.
The Board of Trustees shall elect the Chairman and Deputy Chairman among its members. Further details are set out in the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees shall meet at least twice a year. Details are set forth in the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Trustees.
13.1 Every matter shall be decided by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees present and voting at a duly convened meeting of the Board of Trustees.
13.2 The Chairman of Board may cast a second or casting vote only if there is a tied vote.
13.3 A decision taken in accordance with paragraph (3) above shall only be valid if it is recorded in writing in a single document signed by all members of the Board of Trustees.
14.1 The Heritage Council shall have four members. The election procedure is set forth in the rules of Procedure of the Heritage Council.
14.2 Qualified for the membership are personalities, who occupy an outstanding position due to their experience and activity and to whom the preservation of the European Heritage is a matter of the heart.
14.3 The Heritage Council shall meet at least once a year.
15.1 The task of the Heritage Council is to assist in the identification and implementation of individual projects and to establish contact with governments and authorities. The work is voluntary and is carried out at joint meetings.
15.2 The Heritage Council’s responsibilities shall be:
(a) monitoring the fulfilment by the Charity of its statutory purposes;
(b) appointing the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Charity;
(c) appointing and, if necessary, removing members of the Board of Trustees in accordance with this scheme;
(d) monitoring the performance of, and calling to account, the Board of Trustees in its control and management of the administration of the Charity;
(e) arranging the procedures for election of members of the Heritage Council;
(f) reviewing every six years the list of appointing bodies;
(g) making available annually to the members of the Charity a report on the activities of the Heritage Council;
(h) commenting on proposals from the Board of Trustees for the alteration of the National Trust Acts or byelaws or of this or any other scheme of the Charity Commission relating to the Charity.
16.1 The Heritage Council shall make arrangements for the holding each year of elections of persons who are to be elected members in accordance with this scheme.
16.2 The Heritage Council shall each year draw up criteria to be applied in assessing candidates for election to the Heritage Council.
17.1 All members of the Heritage Council shall hold office for three years from the date of their appointment or election, as the case may be.
17.2 A person who has held office as an appointed member or as an elected member shall be eligible for appointment or reappointment, or for election or re-election, as the case may be, to the Heritage Council.
A member of the Heritage Council may resign at any time by giving notice in writing to the Chairman.
19.1 The members of the Heritage Council shall appoint from their number:
(a) a chairman (the “Chairman”); and
(b) a deputy chairman (the “Deputy Chairman”).
19.2 The Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall hold office for three years and shall then retire from office, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
19.3 The Deputy Chairman may exercise all the functions of the Chairman at any meeting when the Chairman is not present.
20.1 The Charity may defray any expenses wholly, necessarily and exclusively incurred by members of the Board of Trustees, the Heritage Council or any committee or sub-committee for the purpose of carrying out their duties as such members.
20.2 Subject to the prior written approval of the Charity Commission, the Charity may pay such annual amounts as the Heritage Council may from time to time determine and as shall be approved by the members in general meeting to:
(a) the Chairman;
(b) the Deputy Chairman; and
(c) any other member or members of the Board of Trustees.
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