from the Point of View of Education, Social Life end Economy Recommendations on how Cultural Heritage could be Integrated in Local Communities from the Point of View of Education, Social Life end Economy Finland 09 May, 2016

Vision of the Project: Cultural awareness will: expand adults’ horizon, promote tolerance, social coherence and the sense of community; evoke partners' pride in their countries' cultural heritage and encourage them to pass on historical values to the next generation.

In Education Guided visits to heritage centres, ethnographical museums to learn about the history of architecture as well as the way people used to live; Workshops to learn about traditional crafts, such as spinning of linen or whittling of wood into spoons;

In Education “Study groups” in local communities on topics related to cultural heritage (handicrafts, cooking, songs, dances); Transmitting the heritage to the younger generation by presenting it at local kindergartens/schools as well as inviting children to visit the sights of “cultural heritage” and be active in practice;

In Education Educators could gather together for a recreation day and in workshops learn singing and dancing according to different countries’ traditions; “Open door days” could be organized by local craftsmen

In Education Adult education centers could arrange courses to transfer national and international cultural heritage; Organize Open and free annual exhibition of adult students’ works: integration of cultural heritage into modern life.

In Economical Life Organizing events based on local cultural heritage can help attract tourists and generate income from entrance fees; Creating products based on cultural heritage can generate good incomes (kitchen towels, serving trays, cloths, products of textile and ect.)

In Economical Life Starting a lifestyle business which is centered around their life style, talents, hobbies or passion; Creating B&B or hotel accommodation in buildings with rich cultural heritage; Making a “local heritage route“ which could be sold as a tourism package; Hosting visits of tourism groups who are interested to learn about cultural heritage;

In Economical Life Producing souvenirs based on cultural heritage; Building up cultural hot pots/restaurants/centers in old buildings and making commercial happenings, selling traditional handicrafts and food

In Social life Organizing music festivals that showcase traditional/folk music and dances allow visitors to learn about the music and instruments in an informal social setting; Food related festivals are a good way to learn about culinary heritage in a social setting;

In Social life Each community could introduce a traditional event, to specialize on one aspect of cultural heritage which is most typical to that place (e.g. based on some local resource, related to history, or some well known person, etc.)

In Social life To organize some kind of a “fair of traditions” where local people, especially seniors, could do storytelling about some past skills, demonstrate these skills to other people etc. This would help to bring together different generations in the local community and make social life more lively and interesting; Pop-up days for the citizens around food, sauna traditions and traditional handicrafts;

In Social life Cultural heritage may serve as a source of ideas and inspiration for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those living in remote (rural) areas or facing social, gender and economical isolation. Integrating cultural/culinary heritage may profit not only the lifestyle entrepreneurs in terms of gaining financial profit or social integration, but also the society as a whole, helping to preserve the old customs and traditions and the national identity as well.

How we can make the past part of our future? (Simon Thurley, 2005)

Conclusion: Cultural heritage: without it we will loose our main source of self-expression and in the end our self-realization