Digital meets Culture

21 May 2026, Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)

On May 21st, on the second day of the 2and3D Photography conference held at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, David Iglésias Franch (CRDI/Photoconsortium) and Axelle Vanmaele (meemoo) had the opportunity to deliver a presentation in the context of EUreka3D-XR project titled Challenges in 3D digitization: experience and resources among prestigious colleagues.

Their presentation, highlighted practical lessons and methodologies developed within the EUreka3D ecosystem. The talk presented concrete experiences in 3D digitisation, drawing from the digitisation of daguerreotypes from the Girona City Council audiovisual archive (CRDI), where the reflective and delicate nature of the objects required experimentation, technical adaptations and iterative testing to achieve high-quality 3D outputs.

Beyond the case study, the presentation showcased how EUreka3D contributes to supporting cultural heritage institutions in addressing technical and operational challenges related to 3D digitisation, access and reuse. By sharing resources, workflows and accumulated expertise, the project promotes more accessible and sustainable approaches to creating and managing 3D cultural heritage content.

The conference proved to be a successful opportunity for exchange and networking, generating significant interest among participants in the resources and expertise offered by EUreka3D. Attendees showed particular enthusiasm not only for the project’s approaches to 3D digitisation, but especially for its solutions supporting the management, preservation and accessibility of 3D content through a dedicated repository.

Download the PowerPoint of the presentation at this link<<<<

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EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

EUreka3D-XR Final Event held successfully in Cyprus

image courtesy: Cyprus University of Technology (Pambos Charalambous)

The EUreka3D-XR project is reaching its conclusion, and has wrapped up its public event in Cyprus with a rich programme that included demonstrations, roundtables, keynote talks, exhibition spaces and more.

The Digital Cultural Heritage in the Era of AI and Extended Reality event showcased the project’s key outcomes and achievements through public presentations delivered by project partners and invited experts in the field. Additionally, a posters exhibition and demonstration booths were available for exploration at the same venue.

The event was held in the context of the Digital Heritage Summit 2026 in Cyprus and was accompanied by additional events:

24 May: on-site milestone demonstration of the EUreka3D-XR’s pilot of Saint Neophytos and the Enkleistra’s Memory Twin and XR experience for participants.
25 May: Internal project meetings and discussions held with EUreka3D-XR partners and Advisory Board members; participation to the Europeana Network Association event in the afternoon.
26 May: EUreka3D-XR final conference and two roundtables in the afternoon.

You can find the recording of the Conference, more pictures and information on the project’s website – follow this link<<<<

Enjoy some pictures of the event (all photos courtesy of EUreka3D-XR consortium and CUT – Pambos Charalambous)

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The Digital Heritage Summit 2026 is continuing with more interesting activities this week, including the HackIt!4EU Hackathon (May 27-28).

EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

26 June 2026, in Brussels and online

Navigating AI, Authenticity and Ethical Challenges in Heritage Collections

Nice success for the EUreka3D-XR hybrid capacity building event in Brussels on 26 June 2026, with ca. 60 participants online and 20 onsite:

Navigating AI, Authenticity and Ethical Challenges in Heritage Collections

This interdisciplinary conference explored the intersection of AI, authenticity, and ethics in heritage collections. Experts from museums, tech sectors, and academia shared case studies highlighting responsible innovation with the use of advanced technologies.

26 June 2026, starting h. 10
Hosted at imec, Pleinlaan 9 1050 Brussels
Information and follow up: https://eureka3d.eu/navigating-ai-authenticity-and-ethical-challenges-in-heritage-collections/

Programme:

10.00h Introduction to the event: the EUreka3D-XR project and what’s next for AI/3D/XR, by Antonella Fresa (EUreka3D-XR project coordinator)
10.10h The Power of Change: knowledge exchange and collaboration for innovative solutions in AI‑driven 3D & Image Analysis, by Ines Vodopivec (AI4LAM, National Library of Norway, Stanford)
10.20h Authenticy and AI in cultural collections, Keynote talk by Frederik Temmermans (imec/VUB)
10.45h Managing the intellectual property of digital collections in the AI era, by Philippe Rixhon (Valunode OÜ)
11.00h Case studies and experiences (15 minutes each)
- AI for metadata enrichment of heritage collections at scale, by Axelle Vanmaele (meemoo, Flemish institute for archives)
- Gaussian splatting, by Saeed Mahmoudpour (imec)
- AI in the service of CH, by Ismo Malinen (Museovirasto, Finnish Heritage Agency)
- AI-powered Knowledge Discovery in Digital Collections, by Nicolas Nadisic (KIK-IRPA and Ghent University)
- Crystal clear? Challenges of accuracy and transparency in AI-assisted metadata workflows, by Eva Andersen, Annamaria Van Ingelgem (Ghent University Library – Boekentoren)
12.20h Q&A and Conclusions of the hybrid conference
12.30h Onsite – Demonstrating technological innovation in image display at imec
13.00h Conclusions

EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

June 4, 10-11AM

Metaheritage Webinar #5: Exploring EIT Culture & Creativity Support for European SMEs

The MetaHeritage Webinar Series continues with its fifth session, focusing on the opportunities offered by EIT Culture & Creativity for European SMEs and organisations working across cultural heritage, tourism, and the creative industries. MetaHeritage aims to strengthen collaboration between cultural heritage, technology, tourism, and business ecosystems by supporting knowledge exchange and interregional cooperation across Europe.

The webinar will introduce participants to the programmes, funding instruments, and support structures developed by EIT Culture & Creativity to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and business creation within Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.

As part of the broader MetaHeritage Webinar Series: Unlocking EU Networks for Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Digital Innovation, the session continues the project’s effort to connect stakeholders with European ecosystems, funding opportunities, and innovation networks relevant to heritage-driven digital transformation.

Participants will gain insights into:

Business creation and acceleration opportunities for SMEs
European innovation ecosystems for culture and creativity
Support programmes for scaling ideas and international collaboration
Funding pathways linked to heritage innovation and digital transformation
How cultural heritage organisations and SMEs can engage with European support structures

The webinar is open to SMEs, clusters, cultural institutions, researchers, startups, public authorities, and all organisations interested in innovation in cultural heritage and tourism.

More information and registration at this link.

12 May 2026, Brussels - invitation only event

Twin it! Part II: high-level political Closing Event marking a Milestone for Europe’s 3D Cultural Heritage Strategy

The Twin it! Part II – 3D for Europe’s culture campaign, invited the Ministries of Culture of the 27 EU Member States to submit at least one 3D digitised heritage asset to the common European data space for cultural heritage, stewarded by the Europeana Foundation.

Twin it! Part II aims to further support EU Member States in their 3D digitisation and preservation efforts — now with a sharper focus on how the digitised assets will be used: as a supporter of the Campaign, EUreka3D-XR enabled publication of 3D models from various Member States plus UK through the EUreka3D Data Hub. View them at this link.

On 12 May 2026, the Twin it! Part II campaign will reach a key political milestone with a high-level ministerial closing event, organised by the Europeana Foundation and the European Commission and under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event is by invitation only and will bring together Ministers of Culture from EU Member States to reflect on their national contributions to the campaign and present their vision for the future reuse of 3D-digitised cultural heritage assets across Europe.

The event will highlight how Twin it! Part II campaign is promoting:

The integration of 3D heritage into national strategies
The support of innovation ecosystems
The strengthening collaboration with cultural institutions and tech providers

EUreka3D-XR Project is also taking part in the event with a dedicated booth and materials for participants.

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EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

SECreTOUR Networking activities

Cross-Fertilisation process on the topic of Regenerative Tourism Concept

Regenera4MED is a project co-funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme of the European Commission to help Mediterranean regions shifting from sustainable to regenerative tourism, including restoring ecosystems, culture and community well-being.

The Regenera4MED project launched an interesting cross-fertilisation initiative with the aim to connect projects and initiatives interested on the topic of Regenerative Tourism Concept.

SECreTOUR participates in the cross-fertilisation initiative.

In this framework, a survey was launched to review and contribute with feedback to the creation of the Regenerative Tourism Manifesto, which seeks to:

Establish common principles and a shared vision
Build alignment across projects and stakeholders
Support the scaling and transferability of regenerative tourism approaches

Dealine for responding to the survey: Friday 15 May 2026

More information about Regenera4MED are available on the project’s brochure.

Follow SECreTour online also on the SECreTour project’s website.

7–8 May 2026, Hybrid (Ferrara and online)

Heritage at Risk Summer School 2026 – 3D Documentation of Cultural Heritage at Risk: Methods, Tools and Practice.

The Heritage at Risk Summer School 2026, organised in collaboration with the 3D-4CH Project and in the framework of 3DBigDataSpace, brough together experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore this question through advanced 3D documentation methods.

Participants gained insights into:

European and international frameworks for heritage protection
Case studies from earthquake zones and war-affected regions
3D reconstruction and modelling approaches
Practical workflows in photogrammetry, laser scanning, and mobile mapping
Data processing techniques for heritage documentation

The Summer School relied on a heavily relevant practical component. Participants attending in Ferrara worked directly with:

Static laser scanners
Photogrammetry tools
Mobile mapping systems (NavVis)

The Summer School was aimed at cultural heritage professionals, researchers and students, architects and urban planners, digital heritage and 3D specialists.

You can learn more about the Summer School and view the programme at this link<<<<.

A new blogpost on the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage

Use the EUreka3D-XR Toolbox to transform 2D and 3D digital collections into XR storytelling

A new blogpost was produced and published on the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage to disseminate and promote the five open-source digital tools developed by EUreka3D-XR.

In the blogpost, the AR Tour Builder, the AR Tour Experience, the AI 3D Builder, the 3D XR Studio and the Avatar Builder will be explored, focusing on how they enable the reuse of 3D and digital cultural content and transform these resources into engaging visitor experiences.

Read the blogpost at this link<<<<

EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

Open source booklet available on Zenodo

EUreka3D-XR: 3D and XR in the European Digital Cultural Heritage

EUreka3D-XR has finalised its booklet “EUreka3D-XR: 3D and XR in the European Digital Cultural Heritage“: the publication describes the EUreka3D competence centre, including the EUreka3D Data Hub, their training and capacity building work, its impact, sustainability and future plans, and finally the 5 innovative open-source tools implemented to create three extended reality experience scenarios based on the reuse of existing digital cultural collection.

The scenarios:

The first scenario utilises the findings and collections of the Girona Municipal Archive, Catalonia, Spain, to reconstruct the missing portions of the city’s historical walls, employing AI technologies. The second scenario maps points of interest for the archaeological centre of Bibracte, France, offering an enriched AR experience for visitors: this experience places 3D representations of museum artefacts and virtual reconstructions of lost buildings back into the landscape context. The third scenario mixes the 3D digitisation of the historic hermitage (Enkleistra) of St Neophytos in Paphos, Cyprus, and its Byzantine frescoes together with historical documents, to deliver a range of VR experiences that make it possible for the visitor to interact with a virtual avatar of the saint and listen to the story of his life in the Enkleistra.

The booklet is available on Zenodo: follow this link to download the PDF.

EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.

Explore the newly aggregated objects!

New EUreka3D-XR galleries published on Europeana

“Fouille archéologique”, provided by Bibracted EPCC. CC-BY-SA

Following the most recent (and still ongoing) aggregation of new objects digitized in the context of the EUreka3D-XR projects, four new galleries on Europeana were created by Bibracte.

Start your journey:

All galleries include both 2D and 3D objects, and will be enriched with additional objects and videos as soon as they will be available on Europeana.

EUreka3D-XR project is co-financed by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union.