Brussels wants to ensure greater shine to the "European heritage"

Historical aerial photograph of Zlín

Strasbourg/Brussels - The designation "European Heritage," reserved for monuments symbolizing European history and integration, should, according to Brussels, gain more prestige. The European Commission believes that it would contribute to this if the project of the 17 member states, including the Czech Republic, became a pan-European initiative.
    In the eyes of Brussels, this would make the label more prestigious, credible, and visible.
    Among the 64 historical monuments that have been included on the "European Heritage" list so far, there are four Czech monuments: Kynžvart Castle, Zlín and its Baťa architecture, the old ironworks in Vítkovice in Ostrava, and the monument to Antonín Dvořák in Vysoká.
    Slovakia is represented by Červený Kameň Castle, the mound of General Rastislav Štefánik at Bradlo, and the pre-Romanesque church architecture and St. Margaret's church in Kopčany.
    According to the commission's proposal, each of the 27 states in the bloc could nominate one or two monuments in a given year that could earn this designation. Whether this will happen or not would be assessed by an expert jury.
    The overall aim is to raise awareness of European cultural tourism, which is said to also have economic benefits. This initiative differs from similar activities, such as the UNESCO World Heritage List, the commission emphasized. Unlike it, the designation should be given to monuments that played a key role in the history of the union. They should thus possess primarily symbolic value rather than aesthetic or architectural value.