Europa Nostra, strong advocate of Europe’s heritage, culture and values, wins the prestigious Empress Theophano Prize 2025

Full press release issued by the Theophano Foundation
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Awarded each year to honour an exceptional contribution to bridging human divides through the promotion of Europe’s common values, the Empress Theophano Prize 2025 will be presented to Europa Nostra, for championing the cohesive power of cultural heritage for the present and future of Europe, at a ceremony to be held on 6 November in the 2000-year-old Rotunda of Thessaloniki, Greece.

 

The Empress Theophano Prize, a nonpecuniary award conferred each year after deliberation between the Advisory and Governing Councils of the Theophano Foundation, is designed to highlight persons or organisations in Europe and beyond who best embody European and universal values. For more than 60 years, Europa Nostra, the European Voice of Civil Society committed to Cultural Heritage, has been dedicated to demonstrating the power of our common heritage and culture in promoting and sustaining European values and in bringing Europe’s citizens closer together. In today’s challenging times, Europa Nostra’s work is needed more than ever.

Stavros Andreadis, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Theophano Foundation, said: “This year’s prize focuses on the key role of cultural heritage across Europe. We live in a time of turbulence, a time we urgently need to deepen the conversation regarding our common heritage. The prize awarded to Europa Nostra transcends the individual, the local, the national, and makes us aware that we are part of a greater whole, of a European heritage, in latin ‘Europa Nostra’ (Our Europe).”

Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council and Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Theophano Foundation, said: “This year’s prize aims to underline that in times of the return to national identity, it is fundamental to realize that Europeans have a common European cultural heritage, part of our European identity in the past, present and future. And when gazing at the future of Europe, this year’s awarding of Europa Nostra highlights the important role of heritage for the economy, society, culture, environment, and well-being of our common continent, our shared home.”

Cecilia Bartoli, President of Europa Nostra, commented: “We are delighted and proud to receive this year’s Empress Theophano Prize. This is a huge honour and also an immense responsibility; it will strengthen our resolve to pursue Europa Nostra’s mission and further expand our work, which are so vital for promoting a sense of togetherness and a sense of belonging among Europe’s citizens and their communities. Together we must step up our efforts to safeguard and enhance the unity in diversity of this rich heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.”

 

“Today, when Europe faces serious threats to its core values, we at Europa Nostra remain unwavering in our commitment to defending and promoting these values. Our role is to highlight the European meaning of our shared cultural heritage and its significance for fostering peace, democracy, security, sustainability and quality of life in Europe’s cities and countryside. We are grateful to the Theophano Foundation for recognising the quality and relevance of Europa Nostra’s work for building a better future for Our Europe”, added Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra.

The Empress Theophano Prize was launched in 2020. The inaugural the Prize, focused on Education, was awarded to the Erasmus Programme of the European Union, and received personally by the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen. In 2021 the focus was on Science: Dr. Uğur Şahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, the scientist couple who developed the first vaccine against the coronavirus, were the recipients of the award for their dedication to the Common Good. In 2022, the Prize highlighted the key role of Art as a common ground for mutual understanding and awarded the world-renowned conductor, Mr. Daniel Barenboim and his initiative of West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, a highly symbolic project for building bridges between peoples. In 2023 it was awarded to the United Nations and its Secretary-General, António Guterres, focusing on the Humanitarian role of multilateral leadership. Last year’s Prize was awarded to Special Olympics in the name of its Chairman, Dr. Timothy Shriver, for their aim to highlight intellectual disability rights and to build a more inclusive society, a world where everyone is accepted, celebrated and welcomed, regardless of abilities.

The city of Thessaloniki, the location of the Theophano Foundation, was the Byzantine Empire’s second city and, while it has suffered tragedy in its long history, it has since antiquity been a meeting place for people of all backgrounds and creeds and a wellspring of inspiration for Western Europe.

More information

Full press release issued by the Theophano Foundation
Photos