Organised by the Cooperation Service of the French Embassy in Romania and the French Institute in Cluj, the European Encounters provide a platform for dialogue and exchange around current European challenges and examples of good practice. The 2012 edition, held in the context of Cluj’s preparation for its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2020, focused on ‘Heritage and Territorial Development’.

The event brought together more than 40 Romanian and French guests to present applied solutions and proposals for urban revitalisation connected to architectural heritage. Rhabillage Association was invited to present the development process behind CASE CARE PLÂNG / CASE CARE [NU MAI] PLÂNG, reflecting on the public response generated by the projects, and to develop an interactive art intervention exploring social engagement with heritage.

The intervention invited participants to respond to a hypothetical encounter with a crumpled piece of paper found on the street. On opening it, they discovered a photograph of a picturesque old house, prompting them to choose whether to ignore, discard or engage with it. The exercise transformed this simple act of curiosity into a reflection on collective attitudes towards heritage: what is left unattended may disappear, while what is recognised and valued can acquire new meaning and become part of a shared cultural narrative.