Future for Religious Heritage (FRH) is a European network bringing together organisations and individuals working for the understanding, safeguarding and promotion of historic places of worship and immaterial heritage linked to them. In this interview, the team of the FRH Office in Brussels, reflects on the importance of minority religious heritage for Europe and talks about their involvement in the Miretage project.
What is your name and the organisation you represent?
We are Jordi Mallarach and Rocio Sanchez from Future for Religious Heritage (FRH), the European network for the safeguarding of historic places of worship.
Where is your organisation based and what does it do?
We are based in Brussels but the network extends to 45 countries in Europe and the world. Founded in 2011, FRH is a non-profit, non-religious, organisation dedicated to
the promotion and safeguarding of Europe’s religious heritage, by bringing together organisations and individuals in an international network and participating in high-level forums and advocacy activities to bring the voice of the sector to relevant stakeholders and policymakers. Our network is also committed to encourage citizens to discover their local religious heritage,raise awareness about its significance, and invite them to reflect on the future of this often overlooked part of our cultural heritage landscape.
What will be your main role in the MIRETAGE project?
As a European network, our main role will be to facilitate the dissemination of Miretage’s activities, methodologies and findings to a diverse audience, including policymakers, cultural industries, adult educators and civil society. Additionally, we aim to launch a European minority heritage network to ensure the long-lasting impact of the project. This network will foster collaboration between different actors to further develop tools and methodologies in heritage education and encourage more local actors to promote inclusive cultural heritage practices.
Are you involved (or were you involved) in any projects/initiatives related to minority religious heritage?
Since its foundation, FRH has understood the vital role of minority religious heritage in shaping the multicultural tapestry of Europe. Over the years, we have featured several articles and events aimed at celebrating religious minorities’ heritage, acknowledging their contribution to society and making it known to a wider public. With the MIRETAGE project, we are excited to delve more deeply into cultural heritage making activities related to the heritage of religious minorities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. We think that this collaborative effort will contribute to building connections across faiths, celebrating diversity and encouraging the public to interact with their local religious heritage.
What is the most thrilling part of the project for you?
The most thrilling part for us is the opportunity to learn about tools and methods to educate people about heritage values and encourage them to appreciate their cultural heritage. We are sure that this will raise a lot of interest among many of our members who work closely with local communities. We are also happy for the chance to collaborate with a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about heritage and create new connections.