Theme for 18 April 2014: "Heritage of Commemoration"

We wish all ICOMOS members and friends a very instructive and rewarding International Day for Monuments and Sites.

Visit the 2014 Events page - ICOMOS Committees and other organisers from over 40 countries have sent us information on their activities, and the number keeps on growing. 

If your Committee or organisation did not plan an event this year - make sure you do so in 2015!  

The theme
Monuments and sites, including those more complex and diversified forms of heritage places such as living landscapes, are tangible carriers of the memory of a part of the human experience. Thus, through their authenticity and integrity, they contribute, in their way, to the commemoration and transmission of values which include history.  

The theme provides an opportunity to present those constructions that have been intentionally created with the purpose of commemorating an event, a person, an idea, etc.  This choice of theme is partly inspired by the centennial in 2014 of the beginning of the Great War of 1914-1918. 

The heritage of commemoration takes a variety of forms: engraved inscriptions, mausoleums of exceptional architecture or works of monumental sculpture, more modest elements reflecting vernacular traditions or dedicated landscapes such as cemeteries or memorial gardens. This heritage also includes elements that were given a commemorative value; for example, ruins or industrial vestiges accompanied by dedication plaques, or public squares whose toponymy commemorates a historical event or individual. 

Read more about the theme in English – French

- Calendar of events

  Photo : Paul Arps / Flickr - French Military Cemetary Sain Charles de Potyze (Ieper, België 2014)

This year, International Day on Monuments and Sites celebrates ICOMOS' 50th anniversary!

Check the programmed events by clicking on the image below:

Prepare the International Day on Monuments and Sites!

In 2013, the theme is Heritage of Education (schools, universities, libraries, academies, etc.) in its expressions in different geo-cultural contexts. 

Throughout history and in different geo-cultural contexts, education was practised in a wide range of places or buildings. Open spaces, agora or the protective shadow of a tree could be useful for the transmission of knowledge, but also specific institutional buildings such as schools, universities, madrasas, academies, libraries, monasteries, etc.

Many of those buildings, groups of buildings or sites are recognised as bearing not only social or institutional values but also historic or artistic ones, and have therefore become a significant part of our cultural heritage.

The protection and conservation of the heritage of education not only implies preserving cultural assets but also, at the same time, celebrating education as one of the fundamental human tasks. 

Read more about the theme in English – French - Spanish

Please inform the International Secretariat on your initiatives. Please use the following format: Committee / Date / Place / Title of event and a web link or attached publishable PDF with information on the event.

- Calendar of events

Early professor and poet of the University of Salamanca, Spain © Shiraz Chakera / Flickr

Conference : Paradigm Shift in Heritage Protection? Tolerance for Change, Limits of Change (04-06 March 2011)

Project Leader : ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Theory and Philosophy of Conservation and Restoration (TheoPhilos)

Contact                                                   

Gustavo Araoz - gustavo.araoz[at]icomos.org