The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 is taking place from 26 to 30 May in Nicosia, Cyprus, under the motto “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum”. The Nicosia Summit will highlight the key role of cultural heritage for building much-needed bridges and synergies between Europe and the Middle East and the wider area of the Mediterranean. Organised by Europa Nostra in cooperation with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, the Summit is under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and has the support of the European Union.
Programme
(26/02/2026)
Tuesday 26 May 2026
For all registered participants
18.00 – 20.00 | In Varietate Concordia Talk
Conversation with a leading artist, intellectual or policy-maker exploring how cultural heritage can contribute to fostering democratic values across Europe.
Organised in the framework of the European Heritage Hub project, supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and hosted by The A.G. Leventis Foundation
Venue: Leventis Museum at Hippocratous 15-17, Nicosia
Wednesday 27 May 2026
For all registered participants
09:30 – 12.00 | Visit to the Leventis Gallery and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
(Participants will be divided in two groups: group 1 starts the visit at the
Leventis Gallery, group 2 starts the visit at the Leventis Municipal Museum)
09.30 | Assemble at the Leventis Gallery (group 1) or the Leventis Municipal Museum (group 2)
09.45 | Visit to the Leventis Gallery (group 1)
Meeting Point: Leventis Gallery at Anastasios G. Leventis Street 5, Nicosia
09.45 | Visit of the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia (group 2)
Meeting Point: Leventis Museum at Hippocratous 15-17, Nicosia
For all registered participants
13.30 Registration
14.00 – 19.00 | European Heritage Excellence Day 2026
Presentations by the Winners of the 2026 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards
Venue: THOC Theatre
9 Grigori Afxentiou, Nicosia
For all registered participants
20.00 – 22.00 | Welcome Reception by the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr Charalambos Prountzos
Venue: Old Town Hall of Nicosia on D’Avila Bastion
Constantinou Palaiologou Ave, Eleftherias Square, Nicosia
Thursday 28 May 2026
For Europa Nostra Members and Associates only
09.00 Registration
09.30 – 12.00 | Europa Nostra General Assembly 2026
Venue: Municipality Council and Events Hall Building B4, Nicosia Municipality Town Hall
Eptanisou 11, Nicosia
For all registered participants
15.00 to 17.00 | Visit of the Byzantine Museum, Hadjigeorgakis Cornesios Mansion and the old Chrysaliniotissa Church (in the old City)
Meeting Point: In front of the Byzantine Museum at the Archbishop’s Palace
15.00 to 16.30 | Visit of the Archaeological Museum
Meeting Point: Mikis Theodorakis, Nicosia
For all registered participants and invited guests
19.15 Doors open
19.50 All seated
20.00 – 22.00 | European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2026
Co-hosted by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra
In the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Christodoulides
Followed by a reception offered by the Deputy Ministry of Culture
Venue: The Municipal Theatre of Nicosia
Mikis Theodorakis str. No 6
Friday 29 May 2026
For all registered participants
09.30 Registration
10.00 – 12.30 | European Heritage Policy Agora 2026 “MARE NOSTRUM: Championing Sustainability through Heritage”
12.30 – 14.00 Lunch Break
14.00 – 17.00 | European Heritage Hub Forum 2026 “MARE NOSTRUM: Fostering Peace through Heritage”
Developing Strategic Partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean through Cultural Heritage, organised in collaboration with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia
Venue for both events: Central Hall of CYENS Centre of Excellence (former Municipal Market-Agora) – Winner of a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2025
Mayor Lellos Demetriades Square 1, Nicosia
20.00 – 23.00 | Networking Evening
With local food, music and dancing
Venue: Park under Eleftherias Square
Saturday 30 May 2026
Programme organised and hosted by the Turkish Cypriot Members of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia
09.30 Meeting at Ledra Street Crossing
(Note: calculate some 10 minutes for passport/ID controls on both sides of the check point)
10.00 – 12.30 | Arabahmet Heritage Tour
Guided by Nelin Tunç, highlighting the heritage of the neighbourhood
13.00 – 14.00 | Networking Lunch at Bedesten
Hosted by Mr Mehmet Harmancı, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community of Nicosia and Supporter of the Nicosia Heritage Hub along with his Greek Cypriot colleague, Mr Charalambos Prountzos
14.00 – 15.30 | Panel Discussion “Shared Heritage, Shared Future”
Organised by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Architects
Venue for both events: Bedesten – Winner of the Europa Nostra Award 2009
16.00 – 17.00 | Closing event at Bedesten
Folk concert and dance performances led by HasDer ensembles and youth groups
Summit visual copyrights: Radoszek Arts / Europa Nostra
