Voices of the Earth: Celebrating Earth Day through Intergenerational Wisdom

Each year, Earth Day reminds us of the urgent need to protect the fragile ecosystems that sustain us. In 2025, we mark this global occasion not only by raising awareness, but by taking action through the HER[AI]TAGE project – a transnational Erasmus+ project dedicated to preserving intangible cultural and environmental knowledge held by senior citizens.

At the core of the HER[AI]TAGE project is the understanding that environmental protection is not solely a modern concern. It is also embedded in the everyday lives and traditions of older generations. Across Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia, we are collecting and documenting personal stories from elderly community members who share their memories of rivers, landscapes, and traditional ecological practices – from the Drava to the Mura and the Danube.

These oral histories are being digitally archived and enhanced using artificial intelligence to create engaging illustrations and audio narrations. In this way, the HER[AI]TAGE project brings the past into dialogue with the present, ensuring that younger generations can learn from and build upon the environmental awareness of their elders.

By connecting generations, the project does more than preserve cultural memory. It supports civic engagement, strengthens intergenerational dialogue, and promotes environmentally responsible learning. It also highlights sustainable practices that have stood the test of time – many of which offer simple but powerful contributions to climate resilience today.

On Earth Day, and every day, we are reminded that protecting the planet is a collective responsibility. Through the HER[AI]TAGE project, we celebrate the voices of those who remember, and empower those who will shape the future. 

Together, we honour the Earth – our one and only home.