The European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC) in Washington DC, a network of nine members and nine associate members from European cultural institutes and Embassies in the nation's capital, is ready to launch the Protecting our Heritage program, a series of events that will focus on safeguarding and conserving the cultural heritage of humanity.

The main goals of this initiative are to increase awareness in public opinion, and to build networks of institutions and experts bent on tackling the growing threats to culture posed by wars, international terrorism, criminal organizations, climate challenges – or more simply, oblivion. The idea for program was suggested by the Italian Institute of Culture in Washington DC, which holds the network's rotating presidency for 2016.

"We are the caretakers of the cultural legacy inherited from past generations" commented the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Claudio Bisogniero. "The aim of Protecting our Heritage is to help bring the international community together in an effort to save our shared and most beloved memories. We will honor the sacrifice of the hundreds of people who put their lives at risk to protect this patrimony. Let me give two examples: the Monuments Men during WWII and the archeologists who are currently engaged in conflict areas. But we will above all share experiences, catalyze energies, explore new ways to reaffirm our roles as custodians of an irreplaceable legacy".

The calendar will be organized around the following sub-themes: Archaeology as a practice of cultural identity, Diplomacy in the service of art, New instruments to protect cultural heritage, National and International organizations devoted to the preservation of heritage, Protecting cultural heritage during conflicts, Commemorative initiatives and Protection of Intangible Heritage.

On February 4, 2016 the series will open with "Passages", an exhibition featuring works by Italian photographer and archaeological activist Massimiliano Gatti. It will be held at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., and introduced by Prof. Jonathan Green, curator, Professor Emeritus and Founding Executive Director of ARTSblock, University of California, Riverside and Alexander Nagel, archaeologist, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History.

Learn more at:
http://washington-dc.eunic-online.eu/

http://www.italyinus.org/en/events/1199/protecting-our-heritage-a-program-by-eunic-washington-dc

http://www.iicwashington.esteri.it/iic_washington/en/gli_eventi/calendario/2016/02/passages-by-massimiliano-gatti.html

Contacts:

Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Washington DC
iicwashington@esteri.it

Embassy of Italy in Washington DC, Cultural Office
culturale.washington@esteri.it

Follow the buzz on: #Unite4Heritage, #EUN