Provadia-Solnitsata Awarded the Prestigious European Heritage Label

On 22 April 2026, the European Heritage Label (EHL) marked an important milestone with the 2026 Label Award Ceremony, celebrating 15 years of the initiative and officially welcoming Provadia Salt-Production and Urban Centre, into its growing community of 80 sites across 23 countries.
Held in Brussels, Belgium, at the Museum of Art and History, the 2026 EHL Award Ceremony is the flagship event of the European Heritage Label and represents the culmination of the 2025 selection process, announced earlier this year. The event opened with a keynote address by Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. It brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of European institutions, diplomats, cultural heritage experts, and stakeholders.
The programme also included artistic performances and several exhibitions of Label sites. Organised by the EHL Bureau, the event served as a moment of recognition and celebration of Europe’s shared heritage.
The 2025 selection introduced 13 new sites reflecting the diversity and depth of Europe’s shared history and cultural landscape. Chosen by an independent panel of experts from 21 candidates, these sites stand out not only for their historical significance but also for their strong commitment to education, community engagement, and the promotion of European values, particularly among younger generations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Glenn Micallef stated:
“These 13 newly awarded sites embody the very best of what the European Heritage Label (EHL) stands for. They reflect the richness of our shared history, each marking an important milestone in building an engaged, informed and forward-looking society, rooted in the European values we hold dear. At a time of great change and disruption, heritage anchors us. It helps us understand where we come from, make sense of where we are today, and inspires us to build the community of tomorrow. We should never underestimate the meaning and potential of these sites: helping citizens connect with their identity and see their shared history reflected in the places the EHL recognises.”
The ceremony was attended by the leaders of the Provadia-Solnitsata project, who received the symbolic plaque of the Label from Commissioner Micallef. In his remarks, Academician Vasil Nikolov highlighted the importance of Provadia-Solnitsata for early European history and expressed gratitude to the expert panel, the EHL Bureau, and the European Commission for the high distinction awarded to the site.
Since its establishment, the European Heritage Label has grown to include 80 sites across 23 European countries, forming a living museum of Europe that reflects both the diversity of its history and the unity of its values. Beyond their historical importance, these sites are dynamic spaces offering exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, performances, and educational programmes aimed at fostering dialogue and critical thinking, especially among younger audiences. In this way, they demonstrate that Europe’s shared heritage is not static, but a continuous process of exchange, interpretation, and renewal.
The European Heritage Label is an initiative of the European Commission, supported through the Creative Europe programme and implemented in cooperation with participating Member States. Since 2011, the European Commission has consistently supported the development of the European Heritage Label as a flagship initiative, strengthening the visibility of Europe’s shared heritage.
Photo: Erik Herschafft