Programme and Objectives

Each of the five member states hosts a Congress which addresses one theme in the management of a 'sacred place'. So far three member states have hosted a Congress: Ireland, France and the UK. The first Congress was held in Cork, Ireland in November 2005 and was entitled 'Changing Sacred Spaces - Maintaining the Vitality'. The Congress considered Conservation Plans and used examples of projects from each of the member states.

The second Congress was held in Saint-Michel-en-Thierache, France in March 2006. This Congress was dedicated to issues of bringing sound and light to European sacred sites, as part of an agreed management plan. The technical procedures for illuminating buildings, programmes for lighting cathedrals and the use of audio guides were just some of the topics discussed at this conference.

The third Congress, 'Let this Place be Called… a Thousand Years of Sacred Space' was held at Fountains Abbey, UK in July 2006. This Congress explored the ways in which the policies and actions identified in Conservation Plans can be turned into projects or physical interventions through Management Plans.

Future Congress sessions in the Netherlands (8th February 2007) and Belgium (26-28 September 2007) will consider the technical dimension in the conversion of sacred spaces, and 'Loci Sacri: Sacred Places and their Secrets'.

In Utrecht, the congress taking place on 8th February will follow the central theme of "safekeeping cultural heritage”, regarding in particular the contradictions arising from the museal function, new here, and the conservation demands and requirements for historical monuments. The congress is for staff from other museums, historical monument conservation organisations and architecture students.

In Belgium Park Abbey will be collaborating with the University of Leuven on a two day Congress. Some of the topics this Congress will be exploring include why some sacred sites are so special to those that visit them, if cultural tourism is compatible in these places with committed and ongoing religious observance, and if sacred sites lose their special significance once they have been given a new function.

The Congress gives those that work with sacred sites the opportunity to share information and experiences, whilst furthering trans-national relationships.

> Future congresses