The course “Sacred Culture and Art: A Living and Legitimate Heritage” is unique. What sets it apart from other courses about general cultural heritage is its specific focus on the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church, which is extremely important in today’s cultural context, as it constitutes nearly 70% of Europe’s cultural heritage.

Led by Dr. Concepción Peig and coordinated by Lluís Casaña, the course is designed as an introduction to the area of teaching and research of sacred cultural heritage. It is the first of a series of courses, with those to follow based on specific case studies. The aim of this first edition is to analyse the basic aspects of the identity of the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church so that it may be better preserved, managed and transmitted.

As this type of heritage is an expression of faith and is therefore closely connected to society and its culture, the course also entails a reflection on how this cultural reality is understood and experienced today. It also aims to present an analysis of how to employ and adapt current guidelines and trends in the preservation and management of the cultural heritage of the Catholic Church, both in order to remain a presence in the current cultural context and to promote new cultural contributions.

The course is made up of two tracks. Sessions will be held in the afternoons over a two-week period from Monday, 2 July 2012, to Thursday, 12 July 2012. Besides UIC professors, it is also taught by experts in art and cultural management such as Dr. Ximo Company, the Head of the Department of Art History at the Universitat de Lleida, and architects such as Dr. Jordi Faulí, the Assistant Director of the construction work on the Sagrada Família.

El pasado lunes 2 de julio tuvo lugar la inauguración del curso, que contó con Monseñor Francesc Pardo i Artigas, Obispo de Girona, acompañado de la decana de la Facultad de Humanidades, Dra. Teresa Vallés, y de la directora del curso, la Dra. Concepció Peig.