National Heritage Week 2020 – Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage.

Rather than focusing on the organisation of in-person public events, local heritage groups and organisers, families and communities are being invited to develop projects around this year's theme of Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage. Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland's largest cultural events.

The new approach is designed to promote the sharing of experience and knowledge. Expressions of interest and project ideas should be submitted to HeritageWeek.ie, and be carried out throughout June and July. Projects should be completed in time for Heritage Week when they will be showcased. Accepted formats for showcasing may vary from online talks or exhibitions, to a video, podcast, slideshow presentation or blog, to media coverage, a dedicated website or moderated social media account, or by means of small, restricted social gatherings, which comply with official public health advice. All projects submitted will be considered for a Heritage Week Award.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, TD, said: “My Department and I are delighted to support this year's alternative version of National Heritage Week, which is always highly anticipated for its showcase of Ireland's diverse heritage. This year, I hope that the community groups and heritage organisations – who are the backbone of National Heritage Week – get involved, as well as those who are new to Ireland's varied heritage. The project dimension of this year's National Heritage Week provides an opportunity to connect and reconnect with community and family – by phone, letters, emails or in other social-distanced ways, and particularly across generations – while working towards a worthwhile end. We are particularly keen to see projects being developed that have strong inter-generational participation: perhaps, where an older person teaches a child skills from their childhood. Younger people, particularly teens and young adults, could play a big role in showcasing projects in digital formats.”