In Varietate Concordia Talk #2 - Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum

The second In Varietate Concordia Talk, “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum”, took place on 26 May 2026 at the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, Cyprus as part of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026. The Talk featured opening Tzeni Lymperopoulou, Museum Director, Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. A dialogue followed between Prof. Bettany Hughes, historian, author, and broadcaster and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, archaeologist and Executive President of Europa Nostra, moderated by Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra and Project Leader of the European Heritage Hub. At a time when the Mediterranean is marked by both deep interconnections and complex geopolitical tensions, the speakers will reflect on how cultural heritage can serve as a bridge across divides and as a source of resilience, dialogue, and solidarity. From ancient exchanges of knowledge to contemporary narratives of coexistence, the conversation will highlight how the region’s history and plural identities can inspire a renewed commitment to Europe’s core values of human dignity, freedom, and mutual respect. This event is part of the In Varietate Concordia initiative, launched by the EU-funded European Heritage Hub and coordinated by Europa Nostra and the Centro Nacional de Cultura, with the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Inspired by the European Union's motto ‘United in Diversity’, the initiative promotes live conversations, the production of a series of podcasts and the publication of opinion articles with the aim of stimulating critical thinking, fostering public debate and encouraging action in defence of Europe's fundamental values such as democracy, justice, equality, solidarity and sustainability. In Varietate Concordia continues the interdisciplinary legacy of the Helena Vaz da Silva European Prize for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage, bringing together leading figures in European culture, emerging voices and representatives of civil society. The second In Varietate Concordia Talk was held in the framework of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026, 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.