European Heritage Days: UNESCO celebrates 50 years of World Heritage

On the occasion of European Heritage Days, UNESCO will open its doors to the public on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm.

This year’s edition will be marked by the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention and will feature a unique exhibition by contemporary painter Sacha Jafri.

In addition to opening its emblematic Headquarters, Japanese garden by Isamu Noguchi and art collection featuring some of the greatest masters of the 20th century (Picasso, Giacometti, Calder, Moore, Tadao Ando, Tapies, Miro...), UNESCO will offer visitors numerous activities, workshops and conferences which place World Heritage in the spotlight.

UNESCO European Heritage Days’ events

UNESCO Exhibitions showcasing 50 years of World Heritage:

• UNESCO is hosting an exhibition by the artist Sacha Jafri. A few months after the inauguration of his travelling exhibition The Art Maze, at the top of the Burj Al Arab (UAE), this international figure of contemporary art proposes a unique installation around World Heritage sites, in UNESCO’s main hall, inspiring his audience to reflect and create dialogue.
• More than one hundred outstanding photographs will be displayed around the UNESCO gates, offering a unique panorama of the diversity of the World Heritage sites. A selection of works by the photographer Yan Bighetti de Flogny, retracing his journey of exploration "Al Safar, In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta" in collaboration with UNESCO and National Geographic, will be exhibited.

Special cinema screenings:

• The documentary series The Wonders of UNESCO (Adrenaline production) will be screened continuously in UNESCO’s cinema for a total immersion into major World Heritage sites through breathtaking images.

Interactive events:

• UNESCO experts will exchange with the public on current World Heritage issues, including endangered natural heritage, sustainable tourism, safeguarding heritage in war zones or after disasters.
• Thanks to an augmented reality application designed for the occasion, visitors will be given unprecedented access to works that are not on public display, in addition to the masterpieces of the art collection.
• For the youngest visitors, a treasure hunt and a Kapla construction workshop on the theme of World Heritage.

The 50th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage will be officially celebrated on 16 November 2022.