European Heritage Days: Two Fascinating Weekends Ahead
The European Heritage Days are an annual celebration of the culture and traditions of our continent. This year’s events, held under the theme “The Future of the Past. Heritage at Risk”, will take place over the next two weekends – 19 – 20 September and 26 – 27 September. Numerous events have been planned across the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops, museum classes, performances and activities dedicated to local heritage. The Region-wide opening ceremony will be held on Saturday (19 September) at the Bydgoszcz Water Tower.
“This year’s theme, ‘The Future of the Past. Heritage at Risk’, encourages us to reflect on the responsibility we all share. Historic monuments and cultural assets cannot be taken for granted. They are constantly threatened by the destructive passage of time, the effects of climate change, armed conflicts, urban development pressures and simply by being forgotten. Protecting them requires not only appropriate conservation measures, but also social awareness, commitment and the conviction that preserving heritage is an investment in the future,” says Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “I warmly invite everyone to take part in the events organised throughout the Region. Let this be an opportunity to discover new places, learn about history and discuss how we can work together to care for our heritage so that it can survive and continue to inspire future generations.”
The Region-wide opening ceremony will take place this Saturday (19 September) at the Bydgoszcz Water Tower. This venue is a perfect fit for the theme of this year’s celebrations, which highlights the need to protect our heritage. Industrial heritage sites are often in poor technical condition and require urgent action to prevent their deterioration. The Bydgoszcz Water Tower is an excellent example of successful revitalisation. Giving the building a new purpose has made it possible to preserve this valuable historic site for future generations while also creating an attractive space for culture and education.
The opening programme includes a lecture by Bogna Derkowska-Kostkowska on industrial heritage, a concert by the Toruń-based band Runo, and the announcement of the results of the 12th National Photography Competition “A Portrait with a Kujawsko-Pomorskie Historic Monument in the Background.” A new guidebook from the “Kierunek Kujawsko-Pomorskie” (Destination Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region) series will also be presented as part of the event.
Visitors to the opening ceremony will also have the opportunity to see an exhibition of photographic prints featuring industrial heritage sites described in the guidebook.
The European Heritage Days are a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union and the largest social and educational project in Europe dedicated to cultural heritage. The EHD aim to promote history and culture and showcase the diversity of regional heritage. Every September, visitors can explore historic monuments and cultural sites free of charge and take part in lectures, exhibitions, concerts and other events.
Since 2015, the European Heritage Days in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region have been coordinated by a project team operating within the Cultural Heritage Department of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Cultural Centre in Bydgoszcz, a cultural institution of the Marshal’s Office.
Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
16 September 2026