‘’The preservation of the Jewish heritage in Europe is an important aspect of our efforts to exploring and maintaining our history and cultural identity,’’ wrote EU’s ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret.
In March 2019, the European Commission launched a call for a pilot project programme of mapping the Jewish cemeteries of Europe.
BRUSSELS—The European Union has allocated 1 million € towards mapping and preserving Jewish burial sites in Europe, announced Emanuele Giaufret, the EU’s ambassador to Israel, on his Twitter account.
‘’The preservation of the Jewish heritage in Europe is an important aspect of our efforts to exploring and maintaining our history and cultural identity,’’ he wrote.
In March 2019, the European Commission launched a call for a pilot project programme of mapping the Jewish cemeteries of Europe. The project aimed at :
-Extending the mapping to cover additional cemeteries across Europe;
-Identifying specific opportunities for stronger interactions between various stakeholders interested in the preservation of Jewish burial sites;
-Raising awareness of the importance of Jewish cultural heritage and cultural diversity of Europe throughout history and utilising Jewish burial sites in showcasing this diversity in educational measures.
The one million euros grant was awarded to a consortium led by the European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative (ESJF).
The consortium brings together the Jewish education NGO Centropa and the UK-based non-profit the Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH). The work will last 18 months.
The project builds on the pilot project currently undertaken by the ESJF, expanding its geographical scope and ambition. The project, in common with the one this year, contributes to the objectives set up by the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, through dissemination and raising awareness about the value of heritage and cultural diversity of Europe.