The ceremony for one of the most prestigious museum awards in Europe — the "European Museum of the Year — 2026" — took place in Bilbao, Spain. The main prize was awarded to the Danish open-air museum Den Gamle By, which the jury called an example of a modern approach to preserving historical heritage.
The name of the museum translates to "The Old Town," but its concept goes far beyond a traditional display of the past. The space represents a living historical city where visitors can experience life from different eras — from the 17th century to the early 21st century. The exhibitions allow one to literally walk through several centuries of history, observing how daily life, architecture, and the lifestyles of people have changed.
Experts particularly noted the museum's ability to connect historical events with current social issues. Here, not only is the past recounted, but questions of migration, ecology, sustainable development, and social integration are also raised. According to the jury, this approach makes the museum an important cultural and educational center of modernity.
The institution's ecological initiatives also received high praise. The museum preserves ancient plant varieties, conducts classes on ecological gardening, teaches traditional crafts, and restores historical buildings. Volunteers play a significant role in the complex's operations, actively participating in the cultural life of the region.
The "European Museum of the Year" award has been presented since 1977 under the auspices of the Council of Europe and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the museum sector. This year, among the laureates were also the youth museum Young V&A, the Slovenian Institute of Madness in Trate, as well as museums from Switzerland, Germany, and Finland, recognized for their inclusivity, work with local communities, and ecological sustainability.
The next, anniversary award ceremony will take place in spring 2027 in Bern.
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