Landmark heritage event open all hours

19 October 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Landmark heritage event open all hours

The concept of being open all hours is taking a new twist during Christchurch’s Beca Heritage Week thanks, in part, to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).

Windows Into Our Past features a selection of 14 protected inner city buildings, all registered by NZHPT, that will be used as stunning backdrops showcasing images from the collections of Canterbury Museum and National Archives related to this year’s theme Doves and Defences: Discover Christchurch in Peace and Conflict.

A short DVD programme will show still and moving images of Christchurch in times of peace and conflict and will be played on large plasma screens positioned in and around these significant heritage buildings.

The event – a collaboration between NZHPT, Christchurch City Council and Canterbury Museum - runs from 16 to 26 October, with continuous screenings 24 hours each day.

NZHPT Southern Region Area Coordinator Zoe Roland said the aim of Windows Into Our Past was to raise community awareness of our built heritage and the social, economic and aesthetic role historical landmarks can continue to have for future generations.

“It’s great to look at these heritage buildings as art in their own right. This event will offer a new perspective on our heritage – it will certainly grab peoples’ attention. NZHPT works to preserve, protect and promote our country’s built heritage. Heritage Week is an important public event in helping us inform the community of heritage issues around the city.”

NZHPT was particularly grateful for the support of Shipleys Audiovisual, Christchurch City Art Gallery and Hanafins Kodak Express.

“Contributing to the well-being of our heritage is a community effort, so the support of local businesses deserves to be highlighted,” Ms Roland said.

Windows Into Our Past will screen at the following inner city heritage landmarks:

• Heritage Hotel (Cathedral Square)
• Canterbury Museum (Rolleston Ave)
• Shands Emporium (Hereford St)
• Our City O-Tautahi (corner Worcester St and Oxford Tce)
• Excelsior Building (corner High St and Manchester St)
• Warners Hotel (Cathedral Square)
• Old Post Office, Alice in Videoland (corner High St and Tuam St)
• CCC Civic Offices (Tuam St)
• Guthrey Centre, Paris Texas (Cashel Mall)
• Smith’s Bookshop (New Regent St)
• Old Post Office – i-site building (Cathedral Square)
• Christchurch Cathedral (Cathedral Square)
• Dux de Lux (corner Hereford St and Montreal St)
• The Arts Centre of Christchurch (various sites).

As part of Windows into Our Past there is an opportunity to win one of five Hanafins Shoebox slide and print scanning vouchers, each worth $150.
Check out the official Beca Heritage Week website at www.heritageweek.co.nz to see the competition questions, view one of the on-site DVDs for the final clue, and be in to win a voucher. More instructions are on the website.

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