May 26, 2026
Cyprus | Nicosia

Entitled ‘Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum’, the second In Varietate Concordia Talk will provide a timely platform to reflect on the shared heritage that has shaped the Mediterranean across millennia and that represents today a powerful resource for promoting stronger collaboration with the aim to foster mutual respect and understanding.

The event will feature welcome remarks from Tzeni Lymperopoulou, Museum Director, Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra will moderate a conversation between Bettany Hughes, the renowned historian and award-winning TV producer and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, renowned archaeologist and Executive President of Europa Nostra.

At a time when the Mediterranean is marked by both deep interconnections and complex geopolitical tensions, the discussion will explore how cultural heritage can serve as a bridge across divides and as a source of resilience, dialogue and solidarity. From ancient exchanges of knowledge and artistic expression to contemporary narratives of identity and coexistence, the conversation will highlight the enduring relevance of the region’s layered histories.

In a period of global uncertainty and democratic fragility, the Talk will also consider how the Mediterranean’s plural identities can inspire a renewed commitment to Europe’s core values: human dignity, freedom, equality, justice and mutual respect.

This second In Varietate Concordia Talk is organised by Centro Nacional de Cultura and Europa Nostra, in collaboration with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, in the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub and has the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

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The In Varietate Concordia Talk is held in the frame of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026, taking place from 26 to 30 May in the capital city of Cyprus. The Summit, organised by Europa Nostra and the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, is held under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, and has the support of the European Union. Under the motto “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum”, the Nicosia Summit will highlight the (geo)political, societal, economic and environmental relevance of cultural heritage for Europe and the wider Mediterranean.

For the Summit Programme, please check www.europanostra.org/european-heritage-summit.