The European Commission and Europa Nostra announce 29 winners from 15 countries for the 2010 Edition of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards.

In the unique setting of the 6th century Byzantine church, Aya Irini (Hagia Eirene) in Istanbul, Turkey, the European Union and Europa Nostra announced the 6 Grand Prix Laureates of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards during the European Heritage Awards Ceremony last night, 10 June 2010.Six Grand Prix Laureates were chosen from the previously announced 29 Award winners of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards. All Laureates have demonstrated outstanding cultural heritage achievements across Europe and have shown remarkable efforts in the various categories. The 6 Grand Prix Laureates have been chosen from among the 139 entries to the Awards, coming from 26 European countries.The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards were jointly launched in 2002 by the European Commission and Europa Nostra to celebrate extraordinary initiatives within the field of Europe's cultural heritage with the aim to promote high standards and high-quality skills in conservation practice. The 2010 winners were no exception to this, demonstrating exceptional conservation results, research and education efforts, as well as exemplary dedicated service in the field of cultural heritage. The European Heritage Awards Ceremony is the highlight of the Europa Nostra Annual Congress, taking place in Istanbul from 8-12 June, in the cadre of Istanbul, 2010 European Capital of Culture.The Awards were presented by the EU Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou; the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertuğrul Günay; Member of the European Parliament, Doris Pack; and Şekib Avdagić, President of the Istanbul 2010 Agency (main sponsors of the Europa Nostra Annual Congress). From Europa Nostra, Executive President Denis de Kergorlay, and the appropriate Jury Chairman, also presented the Laureates with their certificates.

The following Grand Prix winners received a monetary award of €10,000 and all award winners receive either a commemorative plaque (for conservation projects) or a trophy (for winners in other categories).

Category 1 – Conservation

Le Collège des Bernardins, Paris (FRANCE)

“The restoration of the Collège des Bernardins was recognised as an emblematic achievement of European heritage conservation. This laudable conservation achievement has revealed an exceptional building of medieval civic architecture, and after more than two centuries of neglect, has allowed the College to offer once more its gifts of intellectual and spiritual enrichment to contemporary society.”

The Neues Museum, Berlin (GERMANY)

“The Jury was most impressed with the rebirth of the Neues Museum, situated in the centre of Berlin's Museum Island, which secured and restored the historic structures of the ruin, and connected them to the surrounding museums. The project was conducted with great elegance and efficiency, resulting in an outstanding and exciting example of a sensitive incorporation of groundbreaking contemporary architecture into the minimal-reconstruction of the original structure.”

The Roman Theatre, Cartagena (SPAIN)

“The Jury applauds the restoration of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena (Cartago Nova) and its well-executed integration into the existing urban fabric, as well as its proper conservation and exhibition and use for educational and cultural purposes. The new and well designed museum which incorporates elements such as the crypt of the Santa Maria Coviesa church and the Pascual de Riquelme Palace, has been invaluable in securing the timely regeneration of this area in Cartegena.

Category 2 – Research

The Letters Project, Amsterdam (THE NETHERLANDS)

“The Jury greatly admires this fascinating project carried out on the letters of Vincent Van Gogh, and the incredible opportunity this project has given to an entire community of researchers and enthusiasts.

Thanks to the digitalisation and free internet access of the research, it is now possible to read the entire archive of letters of the painter in their original version and in translation. It is truly exciting to see the reproduction of the original letters and their iconographic references. The project is an example to the world of how effective it is to diffuse and spread significant items of cultural heritage, contributing to the safeguard of the original autograph material.”

Category 3 – Dedicated Service

Nils Vest, Copenhagen (DENMARK)

“The jury appreciates Mr Vest's objective of demonstrating how architectural heritage and culture move from one European country to another. His use of film to raise public awareness for cultural heritage, and his life-long dedication were especially praised, as was his perseverance through adverse circumstances. He has succeeded in speaking for architecture in a matter-of-fact and affectionate voice and has made an impact on a vast audience.”

Category 4 – Education, Training and Awareness-Raising

The Baerwaldbad - Conservation of a Public Bath House through Vocational Training, Berlin (GERMANY)

“The prize awarded to this project recognises the exceptional achievement of a rich social project which synchronised a socially vulnerable population with an architectural project of great worth. By revealing forgotten cultural influences and by training young people in the techniques of restoration, this project allowed a strong sense of reclaiming cultural elements forgotten by previous generations, and thus shows a way to safeguard historical inheritance in harmony with the social evolution which must be engaged in by modern European cities. It also afforded the participants an enriching opportunity to integrate both socially and professionally.”