Embracing the ancient centre of Athens, the Imperial Palace in Vienna and Gdansk’s historic naval shipyard, the former Marcinelle coal-mine joins the sites bearing the “European Heritage label” awarded by the European Commission.
Just one site in Belgium, the Mundaneum at Mons, had previously received this award.
The sites with the “European Heritage” label form milestones in the creation of modern Europe. Ever since the dawn of European civilisation as we know it, these sites have celebrated and symbolised European values, history, integration and ideals. Since 2013, these sites have been selected for their symbolic value, for the role they played in Europe’s history and the activities they offer, which bring the European Union and Europeans closer together.
Included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List along with three other coal-mines as Wallonia’s major mining sites, in 2012 Le Bois du Cazier illustrates the condition of manual workers and the state of immigration. It’s thanks to this awareness-raising work, focused around the tragedy that claimed 262 victims, most of whom were Italian, we can no longer be unaware of the potency and symbolism of this heritage of memories.
For the independent committee that looked at 25 pre-selected sites, le Bois du Cazier evokes the spirit of European solidarity that arose following the 1956 tragedy, which prompted the creation by the European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) of a body charged with health and safety.
Eight other European sites also received the honour of this award:
- Leipzig’s musical heritage sites (Germany)
- The synagogue of Dohány Street (Hungary)
- Cadine Fort (Italy)
- Javorca church (Slovenia)
- The site of the former concentration camp at Natzweiler and outlying camps (France and Germany)
- Sighet memorial (Romania)
- Schengen village (Luxembourg)
- the Maastricht Treaty (Netherlands)
This brings to 38 the number of sites to have received the label over the past four years.