Heritage Sites worldwide commemorate with guided excursions and musical performances - Heritage Sites Worldwide Host Guided Tours and Music Performances for Commemoration
On Sunday, June 1, UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and other regions in Germany will celebrate the 20th World Heritage Day under the theme "Communicate, connect, inspire." This day offers a chance to delve into the rich history and culture that these sites embody.
In Saarland, visitors are invited to explore the Völklinger Hütte, Europe's only fully preserved ironworks from the 19th and 20th centuries. The day promises an array of activities, including art trails, children's tours, time travels through epochs, and a sound walk. Admission for tours is €5, while the entry to the exhibition in the blast furnace hall "The True Size of Africa" is discounted to €9 on Sunday.
Rhineland-Palatinate's Schum sites, which consist of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, will offer free tours. In Worms, guests can visit the Jewish Museum Raschi-Haus or learn about the history and significance of the Schum community with original sources from the 14th century. Speyer hosts musical performances and tours in the "Beith Shalom" synagogue, the cathedral, and the Schum community center, which cost between €0 and €15. Families with children can participate in a rally where keychains are awarded at the end.
The three cities that were centers of Jewish scholarship in the Middle Ages, Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, bear the Hebrew initials Shin, Waw, and Mem. Mainz also invites visitors to explore the Old Jewish Cemetery "Judensand," one of Europe's oldest and largest medieval Jewish cemeteries. Tours provide insights into the personalities buried there, the meaning of the gravestone symbols, and burial and mourning rituals. All male participants are required to wear a head covering during the tour.
Beyond Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, other cities such as Trier and Bingen, will also join the celebration. In Trier, guests can follow the footsteps of Roman history with an audio walk. In Bingen, located in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, special events like father-Rhine discovery tours, historical crane demonstrations, and visits to the museum and history park at the Mouse Tower are promised. Admission is free for all events.
World Heritage Day offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in history and culture. Expect a variety of events, including special guided tours, exhibitions, and interactive activities for children and young people. This year's theme, "Communicate, connect, inspire," seeks to foster a greater understanding of cultural and natural heritage, and to encourage global commitment to World Heritage goals.
- Despite the Commission's recent proposal for a directive on ionizing radiation, one might find it intriguing to connect with our cultural heritage on World Heritage Day, especially during the scheduled tours at the Völklinger Hütte in Saarland, which could potentially offer insights into a totally different kind of exposure – that of history and industrial developments.
- While the adoption of directives is a concern for the Commission in terms of worker safety from ionizing radiation, World Heritage Day offers an opportunity for self-development and inspiration, as one can delve into the rich Jewish history and culture of cities like Mainz, Saarland, and Rhineland-Palatinate, not to mention the entertaining lifestyle events and activities planned for the day, such as the Bingen's father-Rhine discovery tours and museum visits at the Mouse Tower.
