About the Inspiring Practice Award
From 23 to 25 September 2026, the 15th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe took place in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. As part of the closing session, the EPA Governing Board recognised six outstanding initiatives as Inspiring Practices of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.
The European Cemeteries Route, managed by the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), was awarded in the field of “Cultural and Educational Exchanges for Young Europeans” for its practice “Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage.” The certificate was presented by Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the EPA and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, to Astghik Marabyan, representing Armenia, the most recent country to join the European Cemeteries Route.
Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage
Educational activities have been part of the European Cemeteries Route’s work for many years. Among them is the ongoing Schools on Cemeteries project, which uses cemeteries as learning environments and encourages students to discover their historical, artistic and cultural heritage.
In 2026, this approach continued through activities organised during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC 2026) and the ASCE Annual Conference in Turin. Under the theme “Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage,” the activities presented European cemeteries as spaces for lifelong learning, youth engagement and cultural exchange.
This initiative highlights how cemeteries can extend beyond their traditional role as places of remembrance, offering opportunities for learning, dialogue and intergenerational exchange, while strengthening the connection between cemetery heritage and education across Europe.