Press Release
Date
Release date
Contact
8 November 2012
For immediate release
Leena Seim, FRH Development Officer
Leena.seim@frh-europe.org
+44 7822 146 252
European experts debate the future of religious heritage buildings
An increasing number of European religious heritage buildings are at risk. Many are in a state of disrepair and as a result
are being closed, sold, torn down, or changed beyond recognition. Congregations in Europe are shrinking and others are
challenged with managing mass-tourism to their buildings. These are threats to the high quality architectural and artistic
heritage they hold, and the cultural heritage they represent.
Often small groups of local people are faced with responsibility for the care and management of some of the most
important heritage which lies at the heart of our European identity. Having defined the European landscape and cityscape
for centuries, these buildings contribute to our way of thinking and belief systems, and our understanding of aesthetics,
art and architecture.
How can this heritage survive? What is its role in modern society? Can it still contribute to our lives? These are among the
topics for discussion when 90 experts from 25 European countries meet in Venice on 14-17 November, at a conference
organised by Future for Religious Heritage (FRH), themed “Extended use of Religious Heritage Buildings”.
The conference will pioneer the international discussion on ‘Extended use’, meaning finding community and cultural
functions and uses that can co-exist with, or add significance to religious activities. ‘Extended use’ can increase resources
and support vital to keeping historic places of worship open.
Don Gianmateo Caputo, Director of the Pastoral Tourism and Cultural Heritage for the Patriarchate of Venice and Director
of Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra will be one of the many international speakers representing different cultures and
traditions to bring a multitude of perspectives to the table.
Oddbjørn Sørmoen, Chair of the Conference Committee, and Director of KA Association for Employers in the Church of
Norway and Church-related NGOs, said:
“Much of Europe’s religious heritage seems to fade away instead of fulfilling its potential as a tremendous economic and
social resource. There is a growing awareness of this threat, which the interest for this conference shows, and we have so
much to learn from each other. FRH is pivotal in bringing attention to the importance and challenges of saving this type of
heritage, and in providing one voice for the stakeholders in Europe.”
The conference is supported by the Headley Trust, sponsoring the attendance of 22 delegates from 14 European
Countries who would otherwise not be able to attend.
FRH is the European network for historic places of worship. The organisation was established in 2011 as an association
sans but lucratif (ASBL) in Belgium, following an event in Canterbury 2010, which identified the lack of, and need for, a
European platform for communication about this type of heritage. Olivier de Rohan is the President of FRH, as well as the
Sauvegarde de l'Art Français. www.frh-europe.org
Images will be available on request after the event, and Oddbjørn Sørmoen is available for an interview.