European Union Prize for Literature and Europa Nostra launch series of short documentary videos “Bound by Heritage’’

2026 marks a watershed year for European cultural policy: for the first time in history, the three key European institutions – the Commission, the Parliament, and the Council – came together around a shared commitment to culture through the Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’’.

 Among the principles in the declaration is a clear and uncompromising statement of support towards the safeguarding and promotion of Europe’s rich natural and cultural heritage. It is in this fundamental call to action that the European Union Prize for Literature and Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage civil society network, have collaborated to bring to life a series of short documentary videos titled “Bound by Heritage’’ –  A literary dialogue with Europe’s endangered heritage.

The documentary series spans four European countries, in a voyage across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Montenegro, and Germany. The episodes will hinge on two pivotal elements: cultural heritage sites part of Europa Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered Programme, and authors either shortlisted or awarded by the European Union Prize for Literature.

 

The series features:
– Mihaela Šumić and the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
– Nicoletta Verna and the Synagogue of Siena, Italy
– Vladimir Vujović  and Cultural Landscape of Sveti Stefan in Paštrovići, Montenegro
– Deniz Utlu and the Sisters’ House Ensemble in Kleinwelka, Germany

The documentary series emphasises the importance of protecting cultural heritage by showing how these sites inspire contemporary storytelling and literature in Europe. Indeed, the videos explore how literature can help shed light on the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Many of the shortlisted authors have been nominated for historical novels that illuminate the material and immaterial heritage of their countries, bringing it into the present through storytelling – this collaboration thus offers a unique opportunity to intertwine the value of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage that is the backbone of Europe’s historic memory, vibrant democracy, and thriving cultural ecosystem.

The series will launch on 15 July and end on 5 August, and will be published on EUPL’s Youtube channel, Europa Nostra’s Vimeo channel, and across both organisations’ social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Bluesky).

The 7 Most Endangered Programme, run by Europa Nostra, identifies endangered heritage in Europe and mobilises public and private partners – on a local, national and European level – to find a viable future for those sites. The European Union Prize for Literature, organised by the European and International Booksellers Federation and the Federation of European Publishers, aims at recognising outstanding emerging fiction authors across Europe, promoting literary diversity and international circulation. Both initiatives are co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme, while the 7 Most Endangered Programme is supported also by the European Investment Bank Institute.