Gideon Tapestries is one of the winners of the Europa Nostra Awards 2024
Twenty six outstanding winners from eighteen different countries received a prestigious European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, as was announced on 30 May 2024.
The winner in the Conservation & Adaptive Reuse Category is the Gideon Tapestries conservation project at the National Trust's Hardwick Hall. The Tapestries are a unique piece of cultural heritage representing the sixteenth century English taste and the Flemish tapestry production of the time. Moreover, it is the largest preserved tapestry set in the UK today. We at Icon are especially delighted that the two outstanding conservators who worked on this 24-year(!) long project are Icon members: Elaine Owers and Yoko Hanegreefs. We congratute them and also the National Trust, and we appreciate their commitment and skills at preserving this beautiful piece for the enjoyment and education of the current and future generations.
“Through meticulous research, the remarkable Gideon Tapestries have been safeguarded for future generations. The collaboration with Belgian textile experts underlines its European significance. The project's longevity emphasises a commitment to excellence, while the innovative solutions that were developed highlight a resolve in overcoming challenges” - the Award jury commented on the project.
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards started in 2002 and has been recognising outstanding achievements in heritage ever since. It was co-founded by the Creative Europe programme of the EU.
The winners will be celebrated at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest, Romania on 7 October 2024.
BEFORE - The 13th and final tapestry in situ before conservation
AFTER - the finished and final 13th Gideon tapestry hanging in situ in the Long Gallery
You can read more about the Gideon Tapestry conservation project here.
