Baltic Region Heritage Committee

About BRHC

The Baltic Region Heritage Committee (BRHC) is composed by nominated representatives of state authorities in charge of national heritage management in nine countries. The activities focus both on intrinsic value of cultural heritage and its sustainable management. The BRHC promotes the potential of cultural heritage as a strategic resource for developing the Baltic Sea Region.

The Committee is a member of the EUSBSR PA Culture and Creative Sectors Steering Group. It collaborates with other regional stakeholders, too, and follows work of relevant regional, European and international organizations and projects.

The continuity and results of the BRHC work is reflected in the Baltic Sea Region Cultural Heritage Forums, organised by the decision of the BRHC and involving all acting working groups. Since 2003 the Baltic Region Heritage Forums are organised with the aim to create a meeting place for stakeholders, to address crucial issues of regional interest and share with the latest developments. The last Baltic Sea Region Cultural Heritage Forum – “Heritage & Crisis” – took place in Gdańsk, Poland in September 2023.

Background

The BRHC was nominated in the framework of the Ministerial Meetings arranged by the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

The mandate to create an action plan for the common heritage in the Baltic Sea States was included in the Lübeck Declaration adopted by the 3rd Conference of the the Council of the Baltic Sea States – CBSS – Ministers of Culture (Lübeck, 22 Sept. 1997). In accordance with this decision, a group of senior heritage experts was established in April 1998.

Working groups

The Committees´ work is organized in three working groups under the supervision of the BRHC:

• Underwater Cultural Heritage – Its aim is to study the implications and possible content of a regional agreement to protect underwater cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea. This includes the prohibition of CBSS nationals and ships flying member-state flags from interfering with historic wrecks and archaeological structures.
• Coastal Culture and Maritime Heritage – The aim is to deepen the cooperation between authorities concerning the coastal culture and its development and to draw the attention to the strategies for sustainable use of coastal areas. Special attention should be given to documentation and presentation of coastal culture in terms of research and exhibitions.
• 20th Century Built Heritage – The aim is to develop a deeper knowledge regarding postwar built heritage, its architecture and how municipal planning in the region can contribute to a better understanding of the various values embedded in this era and facilitates, in extension, necessary mediation to decision makers.
• Cultural Heritage and Climate Change  – This group focuses on exchanging knowledge regarding the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage in the Baltic region. The goal is to identify the key issues that heritage management organizations should prioritize. The working group examines topics such as adaptation strategies for heritage buildings, risks to archaeological sites, and compliance with new policies like the EU’s energy efficiency directives. Their discussions build on groundwork established during the 2021 Oslo forum, with an emphasis on regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to protect cultural heritage from climate-related threats.
• Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Goods  – This working group addresses the challenge of illicit trafficking of cultural heritage in the Baltic Sea region. The group seeks to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms that prevent the illegal trade of cultural artifacts. It emphasizes regional cooperation in order to raise awareness, improve monitoring, and ensure that cultural heritage is preserved and respected, preventing looting and unauthorized sales of historic items. The group also works closely with international bodies to align with global efforts in combating the trafficking of cultural goods.
• Coultural Routes – It focuses on promoting and enhancing the use of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme in the Baltic Sea region. This programme fosters cooperation between the cultural heritage and tourism sectors and serves as a tool to develop sustainable cultural tourism. The objectives of this working group include expanding existing certified routes and helping new initiatives connect within the Baltic Sea region.

The BRHC and its expert working groups have initiated and carried out several seminars, conferences and projects for highlighting and enhancing sustainable management of heritage.

Members

The members represent the national bodies in charge of cultural heritage. The involved countries under the umbrella of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein), Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Russia is suspended from further participation in the BRHC activities in response to the unprovoked and illegal war now being waged by Russia against Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and the country’s authorities.

Contact

Kazimierz Musiał, Senior Advisor for Regional Identity & Communications
Email: [email protected]