🇨🇾 Conference in Cyprus 🏛️ European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 🌍 Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum, Nicosia 🇨🇾
The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 is taking place in Nicosia, Cyprus — one of Europe’s most historically layered capital cities — under the motto “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum”. Organised by Europa Nostra in cooperation with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, and held under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, this landmark five-day gathering brings together heritage leaders, policymakers, experts, and advocates from across the continent to celebrate heritage excellence and explore the geopolitical, societal, and environmental relevance of cultural heritage for Europe and the wider Mediterranean. Registration is now open.
🌍 Did You Know? Nicosia is the last divided capital city in the world — split since 1974 into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north by the UN Buffer Zone known as the Green Line. The 2026 Summit programme uniquely crosses this divide, with events held on both sides of Ledra Street — making this gathering a living example of how shared cultural heritage can serve as a bridge between divided communities.
Programme Highlights
🎤 In Varietate Concordia Talk (26 May): The opening evening event explores the theme “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum” — organised in the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub, with the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Venue: Leventis Museum, Nicosia.
🏆 European Heritage Excellence Day (27 May): Presentations by the winners of the 2026 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards — a celebration of outstanding heritage conservation and innovation from across the continent. Supported by the Creative Europe Programme. Venue: THOC Theatre, Nicosia.
🥂 Welcome Reception (27 May): Evening reception hosted by the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr Charalambos Prountzos, at the historic Old Town Hall on D’Avila Bastion, Eleftherias Square.
🏅 European Heritage Awards Ceremony (28 May): The flagship ceremony co-hosted by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger of Europa Nostra — in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. Venue: Municipal Theatre of Nicosia.
🗣️ European Heritage Policy Agora (29 May): A high-level policy discussion on “Mare Nostrum: Championing Sustainability through Heritage” — organised in the framework of the EU-funded Europa Nostra Heritage Agora project, with the support of the Cultural Protection Fund of the British Council.
🌐 European Heritage Hub Forum (29 May): Forum session on “Mare Nostrum: Fostering Peace through Heritage” — organised within the EU-funded European Heritage Hub project. Both events held at the CYENS Centre of Excellence, a 2025 Europa Nostra Award winner.
🎶 Networking Evening (29 May): An evening of local food, music, and dancing under the open skies at the Park under Eleftherias Square — a celebration of Cypriot culture and Mediterranean conviviality.
🕊️ Cross-Community Day (30 May): A special programme organised by Turkish Cypriot members of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub — including an Arabahmet Heritage Tour, a networking lunch at Bedesten, a panel discussion on “Shared Heritage, Shared Future”, and a closing folk concert and dance performances by HasDer ensembles and youth groups.
🌍 Did You Know? The Europa Nostra Awards — presented at this Summit — are widely regarded as the most prestigious cultural heritage prizes in Europe. Since 2002, over 700 exemplary heritage projects across more than 50 countries have been recognised, spanning conservation, research, education, and dedicated service to heritage. Winners often describe the award as a transformational moment for their organisations, projects, and communities.
Heritage Tours & Museum Visits
🖼️ Leventis Gallery & Leventis Municipal Museum (27 May): Guided visits to two of Nicosia’s most significant cultural institutions — the Leventis Gallery and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia — for all registered participants.
⛪ Byzantine Museum, Hadjigeorgakis Cornesios Mansion & Chrysaliniotissa Church (28 May): A guided tour of three landmark heritage sites in the heart of Nicosia’s old city.
🏺 Archaeological Museum (28 May): Visit to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, one of the richest collections of Cypriot antiquities in the world.
🕌 Arabahmet Heritage Tour (30 May): A guided tour of the Arabahmet neighbourhood in northern Nicosia — led by Nelin Tunç — highlighting the heritage of one of the city’s most historically layered districts, accessible via the Ledra Street crossing.
Organisers & Partners
🏛️ Organised by: Europa Nostra and the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia.
👑 Under the Patronage of: The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
🇪🇺 Supported by: European Commission, Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus, Municipality of Nicosia, The A.G. Leventis Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Athanasios and Marina Martinos Foundation, ALIPH Foundation, and the Cultural Protection Fund of the British Council.
🤝 In the Framework of: Europa Nostra Heritage Agora project, European Heritage Hub, and European Heritage Awards — all co-funded by the European Union.
Key Information
Application Link
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💡 Final Note:
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