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In his role as ambassador for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 David Chipperfield gave the opening speech at the Denkmal and MUTEC trade fairs in Leipzig 7 November.

David argued for a more holistic understanding of protection and conservation, focusing less on the merits of individual buildings and more on the complex character of our cities, towns and villages. Calling for an approach that neither fetishises historic fabric, distancing it from the present, nor abandons all existing values completely under the forces of investment. By treating the past as an active part of the present, the value of the ordinary can be better appreciated and new architecture can make a more positive contribution to the wider built environment.

Denkmal is dedicated to topics surrounding the conservation, restoration and renovation of historic monuments while MUTEC is an international trade fair for museum and exhibition technology.