Our defence preparedness must include a robust cultural-heritage preparedness capability. During conflict, cultural heritage may be targeted deliberately to weaken an opponent psychologically or harmed indirectly through the violent logic that accompanies war. This new programme will bring together leading experts from the Nordic and Baltic regions to exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another. Our aim is to enhance crisis preparedness across the cultural sector.

Gunvor Kronman, CEO, Hanaholmen

WHAT IS HANAHOLMEN HERITAGE?

Hanaholmen Heritage is a Nordic–Baltic programme dedicated to cultural heritage preparedness and coordinated by Hanaholmen – the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre. The programme is initiated by the Nordic and Baltic Ministers for Culture and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The cooperation consists of a training programme, which leads up to a conference featuring key takeaways from the training participants as well as high-level keynotes from prominent speakers. The initiative responds to the increasing awareness of hybrid, climate-related and military threats to cultural heritage.

The programme has a reference group with representatives from key cultural heritage organisations and other stakeholders in the region. The reference group contributes with expertise, experience, and perspectives throughout the project.