Heritage BC is excited to launch Heritage Week 2023, an annual event that celebrates heritage across the province, taking place February 20-26.

This year’s theme encourages everyone to explore their local community’s heritage in all the ways that excite them! This could look like joining a walking tour, taking part in a workshop, or even cooking a family recipe at home.

Kirstin Clausen, Executive Director of Heritage BC explains that “celebrating Heritage Week is easy. During Heritage Week we encourage people to have fun, and partake in the many programs and events that are being offered by communities across BC. These programs showcase stories, activities, and engagement and give us an opportunity to learn how we are connected with each other. Heritage Week brings attention to how heritage is always with us and in all ways strengthens our capacity to bring about greater reconciliation, diversity and equity in our communities.”

Organizations province-wide are encouraged to create and host themed events and activities that highlight our diverse heritage across B.C.

Hosts submit their events to the Heritage Week 2023 events calendar which anyone can use to find activities in their area. There are currently 45 events across 34 organizations and counting, in communities from Fernie to Terrace to Qualicum.

As part of Heritage Week awareness, Heritage BC also distributes 2,000 posters to museums, libraries, and organizations. We also encourage municipalities to join the Province of BC in making a heritage proclamation.

“There are serious reasons to celebrate Heritage Week too.” said Britney Dack, Chair of the Board of Directors at Heritage BC. “It is an opportunity to recognize the enrichment brought by our Province’s diversity, as well as acknowledge that indigenous culture has always existed and is woven into our memory of culture, place, and practice. Heritage Week allows for the coming together of people from all walks of life, and from every community, to showcase both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage they value.”

Heritage BC is a member based, non-profit organization that supports and advocates for B.C.’s broad heritage sector through education, training and skills development, and capacity building in heritage planning and conservation.

In addition to raising awareness through Heritage Week, we fund heritage projects through our Heritage Legacy Fund and in partnership with the Province, and lead progressive heritage initiatives such as our Setting the Bar guide for reconciliation in heritage, which was recognized with the Governor’s 2022 Award from the National Trust for Canada.

Heritage BC

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