: Projects
AHEAD Multiplier Event in Athens
As we enter the concluding weeks of this inspiring project, the multiplier event will be an opportunity to share results, reflect on lessons learned, and celebrate achievements with the community. Over the past two years, HERITΛGE has worked with AHEAD’s Greek hub, the Archaeological Museum of Messara in Crete, on a wide range of activities — including labs, talks, and the development of prototype experiential museum experiences. An artist with ties to the location, Elektra Angelopoulou, was selected to co-create an experience with the local community and offer innovative insights.Through these collaborations, AHEAD explored innovative ways to engage local audiences and make heritage more inclusive, accessible, and participatory, with the dual aim of reaching new audiences and equipping cultural heritage managers with the skills to sustain them.
The evening will open with a presentation of the AHEAD project, its outcomes, and the use of design thinking for the development of cultural heritage audiences. Elektra Angelopoulou, will highlight the artistic dimension of the project, sharing insights into her co-creation work with local communities.
Participants will be invited to take part in an informal networking session over drinks and snacks — a chance to exchange ideas and forge new connections.
The AHEAD Multiplier Event will bring together cultural professionals, institutions, creative SMEs, NGOs, policymakers, and community members to discuss how heritage can become more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
We are delighted to celebrate the culmination of this important journey and to share AHEAD’s results with you, our partners, stakeholders, and the public.
Romantso Event Hall, Anaxagora 3, Athens
18 September 2025 | 18:00–19:30
Celebrating Cultural Heritage in Lahore
In August 2025, Lahore hosted two events that celebrated Pakistan’s rich heritage and explored innovative approaches to its preservation with the participation of our Preservation of Buddhist Rock Reliefs in the Swat Valley project.
At the British Council Library in Lahore, school students from across the city took part in an interactive session designed to introduce them to the Gandhara civilisation and its artistic legacy. Organised under the project “Preservation of the Buddhist Rock Reliefs in the Swat Valley: Digital Documentation, First-Aid Conservation, and Climate Change Adaptation,” the initiative forms part of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) and was implemented in collaboration with national and international partners, including the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan, The Heritage Management Organization, and Essanoor Associates.
During the session, students engaged in creative workshops that encouraged exploration of heritage, history, and environmental awareness. They painted tote bags inspired by Gandharan motifs and crafted clay replicas of artefacts. The programme successfully combined artistic expression with educational enrichment, fostering both appreciation and curiosity for cultural preservation.
On the same day, the Lahore Museum hosted an International Panel Discussion entitled “The Future Museum: Technology, Heritage Conservation, and Inclusive Innovation.” The event was supported by ICOM, UNESCO, Essanoor Associates, the Heritage Management Organization, and the Tourism, Archaeology and Museum Department, and featured experts including Dr. Cristina Mengazzi (UNESCO), Alberto Garlandini (ICOM Foundation), Ar. Kashif Essa, and Malik Magsood, with moderation by Zainab Sabri, the Museum Education Officer. The panel examined the evolving role of museums, highlighting how technological advancements, innovative curation strategies, and inclusive practices can make cultural institutions more accessible and sustainable. Discussions also addressed local challenges and opportunities, bridging international perspectives with Pakistan’s heritage context. Th recording is available on Lahore Museum’s Facebook page.
Both were fantastic initiatives which illustrated Lahore’s multi-faceted approach to cultural engagement, demonstrating how hands-on educational programmes for young learners can complement professional dialogues on innovation and preservation.
Παρουσίαση του έργου AHEAD στην Αθήνα
Καθώς το έργο πλησιάζει στην ολοκλήρωσή του, η εκδήλωση θα αποτελέσει μια ευκαιρία να παρουσιαστούν τα αποτελέσματα, να αναλογιστούμε όσα αποκομίσαμε και να γιορτάσουμε τα επιτεύγματα του AHEAD μαζί με την κοινότητα της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς της χώρας μας.
Τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια, ο οργανισμός HERITΛGE συνεργάστηκε με τον ελληνικό κόμβο του AHEAD, το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μεσαράς στην Κρήτη, για την υλοποίηση μιας σειράς δράσεων του έργου — εργαστήρια, ομιλίες και ανάπτυξη πρωτοτύπων βιωματικών εμπειριών για μουσεία. Μια καλλιτέχνις με δεσμούς με την περιοχή, η Ηλέκτρα Αγγελοπούλου, επιλέχθηκε να συν-δημιουργήσει μια εμπειρία με την τοπική κοινότητα και να προσφέρει καινοτόμες προσεγγίσεις. Μέσα από αυτές τις συνεργασίες, το AHEAD διερεύνησε νέους τρόπους ενεργοποίησης του κοινού, με διπλό στόχο: την ανάπτυξη νέων κοινοτήτων και την ενδυνάμωση των διαχειριστών πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς με τις απαραίτητες δεξιότητες για τη διατήρησή τους.
Η βραδιά θα ξεκινήσει με μια παρουσίαση του έργου AHEAD, των αποτελεσμάτων του και της μεθοδολογίας design thinking για την ανάπτυξη κοινού στον χώρο της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς. Η Ηλέκτρα Αγγελοπούλου θα μοιραστεί εμπειρίες από τη συν-δημιουργία με την τοπική κοινότητα, αναδεικνύοντας την καλλιτεχνική διάσταση του έργου.
Η εκδήλωση θα κλείσει με μια χαλαρή συνεδρία δικτύωσης, όπου θα προσφερθούν σνακ και ποτά, δίνοντας στους παριστάμενους την ευκαιρία για ανταλλαγή ιδεών και απόψεων.
Θα χαρούμε να σας καλωσορίσουμε, να μοιραστούμε τις δράσεις του AHEAD και να γιορτάσουμε την ολοκλήρωση αυτού του σημαντικού ταξιδιού μαζί με εσάς — τους εταίρους, τους συνεργάτες και το κοινό μας.
Romantso, Αναξαγόρα 3, Αθήνα
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 2025 | 18:00–19:30
Reflections on a year of Architectural Heritage Preservation in Times of War: The Ukrainian Model
In times of war, when destruction seems to rewrite the physical and cultural landscape of a nation, a different kind of architecture emerges – one built from knowledge, skill, and an unyielding commitment to protect memory. The project “Architectural Heritage Preservation in Times of War: The Ukrainian Model” stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when education, resilience, and international collaboration converge with urgency.
Launched in September 2024 by HERITΛGE in collaboration with the Kharkiv School of Architecture (operating from Lviv) and 3D documentation experts of Skeiron, this project set out to train a new generation of heritage architects and educators equipped with the technical and ethical tools needed to preserve Ukraine’s imperiled architectural heritage.
Building knowledge amid collapse
As buildings fall and monuments come under attack, the project focused on something less visible but deeply enduring: education. Over the course of the academic year, it reached 30 students and 10 educators from across Ukraine – Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv and Vinnytsia regions – through an intensive curriculum that merged theory with fieldwork. Topics ranged from cutting-edge techniques like photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning to international conservation standards and legal frameworks.
Field internships in Western Ukraine led by Skeiron gave students hands-on experience in documenting heritage sites. They produced high-resolution digital scans and architectural records that now serve both as tools for future conservation efforts and as acts of cultural preservation in their own right.
In parallel, the programme’s educator training combined online learning with in-person workshops coordinated and hosted by the Kharkiv School of Architecture and practical exercises. This dual approach enabled participating teachers to develop their own heritage-focused curricula – tailored to their institutions – and expand the reach of conservation education across the country.
The urgency of this work is echoed in the April 2025 report “The Ukrainian Cultural Sector in Wartimes: Emergencies – Needs – Measures”, which highlights a critical shortage of qualified professionals in conservation, restoration, and heritage protection. The report calls for systemic investment in education, especially in frontline regions where remote-only instruction has left gaps in competencies. Against this backdrop, the project addressed not just a wartime emergency, but a long-standing structural need for enhanced education in architectural heritage conservation.
The project’s broader legacy
Though limited to one academic year, the project’s impact far outstrips its timeline. It catalysed the development of a reproducible curriculum, created a set of digital documentation of 15 heritage sites, and introduced conservation methodologies to institutions that previously had limited access to such tools. Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrated how cultural preservation can be reframed as a form of resistance and recovery.
A series of public webinars and lectures – featuring experts from Ukraine and abroad – helped bridge gaps in knowledge and connect students and instructors with global heritage preservation communities. The programme didn’t just train students; it helped cultivate a network of professionals who carry forward the mission of architectural conservation with firsthand experience and shared purpose.
A call to sustain what was started
Despite its success, the project ended in 2025 due to funding limitations. Its early closure is a sobering reminder of the fragility of cultural preservation efforts in conflict zones. Yet it also underscores a core truth: the preservation of architectural heritage is not a one-off intervention. It is a long-term commitment that demands sustained investment, institutional backing, and policy support.
The tools have been built. The knowledge has been shared. What remains is the will to continue – through new programs, policy reform, and the support of international allies.
Final thoughts
In Ukraine today, every carved facade, every war-scarred cornice tells a story – not only of destruction but of survival. The “Architectural Heritage Preservation in Times of War” project ensured that these stories are not lost. As Ukraine continues its path through war toward recovery, the architects trained through this programme will stand among its quiet heroes – those who understand that rebuilding is not just about walls, but about the memory those walls hold.
Now, more than ever, we must ask: what kind of future do we build if we let the past be erased?
Find out more about our projects here.
From Memory to Momentum: AHEAD Study Visit in Crete
From May 21st to 23rd, 2025, HERITΛGE and the Archaeological Museum of Mesara welcomed partners from across Europe for the second international AHEAD project Study Visit, a key milestone in the project’s mission to foster innovative, audience-centred cultural experiences. The three-day gathering hosted by the Museum (the project’s Greek Hub), proved a dynamic space for reflection, testing, and exchange of ideas across borders and communities.
The AHEAD team along with local heritage professionals and Elektra Angelopoulou – the artist selected to co-create work for the Greek hub- worked to validate and give feedback on the prototypes developed through the AHEAD methodology — a process designed to help cultural institutions understand their audiences, co-create with them, and embed those practices into their operations.
Two Prototypes, Two Publics
The Greek Hub focused on two distinct but equally vital local audiences: children and adults, engaging each group in a meaningful journey through AHEAD’s empathise–define–ideate–prototype–test framework.
HERITΛGE’s Xanthippi Kontogianni
Prototype I: Children’s Voices in the Museum
HERITΛGE and the Museum partnered with two local primary schools to involve young learners in the creative process. With the participation of artist/performer Elektra Angelopoulou, and through structured activities aligned with the AHEAD methodology, the children explored the museum’s collection and selected their favourite objects.From these choices, the children developed their own narratives — imaginative stories, reflections, and personal interpretations inspired by the artefacts.
In centering children’s voices, the museum embraces storytelling not just as education, but as connection — bridging past and present through creativity, wonder, and the eyes of a new generation.
Prototype II: Community, Connection, and Co-governance
In parallel, HERITΛGE invited local adults to participate in a series of reflective workshops, beginning with the sharing of memories, lived experiences, and deep-rooted connections to the Messara landscape — a place where archaeology, history, and daily life are inextricably linked.
These sessions revealed a strong sense of local pride, but also a disconnect: many felt the museum, though geographically close, was distant in spirit — shaped by state institutions without enough input from those who live nearby. In response, the prototype developed with this audience is the creation of a “Friends of the Museum of Mesara” Association.
This initiative aims to:
– Strengthen community engagement with the museum
– Amplify local voices in decision-making processes
– Support the museum’s role in driving tourism and sustainable local growth
– Provide a formal channel for co-creating future experiences and exhibitions
From Testing to Transformation
Both prototypes were presented to AHEAD consortium members during the Study Visit. Feedback sessions, held at the Archaeological Museum and visits to the area and its archaeological sites Gortyna and Phaistos, allowed partners to gain and exchange insights, and consider how these approaches might be adapted across other contexts.
The feedback underscored the importance of:
- Deep listening and long-term community involvement
- Rethinking traditional exchanges between museums and local communities
- Fostering sustainable links between heritage, education, and local development
- Working with the AHEAD methodology and returning to it as often as necessary throughout the lifetime of a project.
The prototypes — still in development — will be officially launched in September 2025, during a dedicated event that will also feature a site-specific performance by Elektra Angelopoulou, created in collaboration with the Mesara community.
Looking Ahead
This second Study Visit demonstrated the power of co-creation, memory, and local agency in shaping meaningful cultural heritage experiences. By validating the Greek Hub’s work and drawing lessons from the field, partners left Messara not only inspired, but equipped with ideas they could bring back to their own communities.
Next up for AHEAD: Study Visit 3 in Altamira, Spain — where a new chapter of audience-centred innovation is already unfolding.
AHEAD is co-funded by the European Union. To learn more about the AHEAD methodology or how to join the AHEAD network visit the project website and explore the learning resources, manifesto, and upcoming events.
Milestone project to preserve Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan completed
HERITΛGE is proud to announce the completion of the ‘Preservation of Buddhist Rock Reliefs in the Swat Valley: Documentation, First Aid Conservation, and Climate Change Adaptation‘ project, realised in collaboration with EssaNoor Associates, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums KP, and the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, and made possible thanks to the support of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund.
Swat Valley in northern Pakistan is home to some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Gandhara civilization. Among these are Buddhist rock reliefs and inscriptions, likely carved in the 7th or 8th century BC, which are now under threat from natural erosion, human activity, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
In response to these emerging challenges, the project adopted a multi-phase strategy encompassing digital documentation, emergency conservation, local capacity development, sustainable tourism, and climate resilience initiatives.
Through extensive field surveys, the project digitally recorded 78 Buddhist rock reliefs using high-resolution photography, 3D scanning, and interactive geographic mapping. Emergency stabilization measures were also carried out at several vulnerable sites, providing necessary ‘first aid’ to prevent further deterioration. A major milestone was the launch of the project website, which offers free access to 3D models, maps, and comprehensive documentation of these heritage sites. The platform supports research, education, and site management while promoting global engagement with Swat’s rich cultural heritage.
The local communities and institutions were engaged throughout the project to raise awareness and empower them to become custodians of these invaluable heritage sites through grassroots discussions and workshops. Thirteen heritage professionals and seven local community members were trained in digital preservation skills to ensure that the knowledge and tools for conserving the heritage are sustained locally, empowering the community to manage and protect their own cultural resources. The project also recorded six oral testimonies, preserving the intangible heritage of the local community. These stories reflect the lasting impact of Buddhist influence in the Swat Valley, highlighting traditional crafts like Gandharan wooden art, stone masonry, and shawl embroidery, which have been inspired by centuries of Buddhist heritage.
In addition to heritage conservation, the project identified sustainable tools for both preservation and economic development. The development of hiking trails and eco-tourism facilities was proposed to promote local tourism and provide sustainable income for rural communities. Alternative livelihoods through eco-tourism, local crafts, and medicinal plant cultivation are also encouraged by the initiative that aims to ensure economic stability in the region.
Closing Ceremony
The Swat Museum hosted a project closing event on 15 April 2025, attended by approximately 200 people, including students, heritage practitioners, local community representatives, and international experts. The ceremony included a presentation by project team, detailing the objectives and accomplishments, as well as the official launch of the website. A panel discussion, chaired by HERITΛGE’s Dr. Maja Kominko, gathered professionals from both the academic and grassroots communities. The panel addressed the cultural significance of Buddhist heritage in Swat, the significance of community participation in conservation, and the adaptation to the impacts of climate change on heritage.
The guests were guided through a thoughtfully curated exhibit showcasing the project’s key outputs, including photographic documentation, interactive maps, and 3D-models. Team members were present to explain the conservation methods employed throughout the project and to demonstrate the digital equipment used in the preservation process. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of shields and certificates to honor significant contributions. Project stakeholders and members of the public reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Swat’s cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.
The ‘Preservation of Buddhist Rock Reliefs in the Swat Valley’ project underscores the increasing significance of integrating digital technologies, emergency conservation, community engagement, sustainable tourism, and climate resilience into contemporary heritage conservation practices. It also serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at safeguarding vulnerable cultural heritage sites.
For additional information and access to digital documentation, visit www.heritageofswatvalley.com.