European Heritage Hub Forum 2026 “Mare Nostrum: Fostering Peace through Heritage”
The European Heritage Hub Forum 2026 “Mare Nostrum: Fostering Peace through Heritage” will be held on the afternoon of 29 May at CYENS Centre of Excellence, former Municipal Market of Nicosia. The Forum will focus on cultural heritage as a powerful vector of peace across the Mediterranean, with special emphasis on the Middle East. In a region marked by conflict, division and political tensions, heritage can serve as a bridge between communities that share intertwined histories. From bi-communal initiatives to cross-border partnerships, cultural cooperation creates meaningful spaces for dialogue, mutual recognition and trust-building. By transforming shared memory into shared responsibility, heritage initiatives contribute to reconciliation and long-term stability.
Central Hall of CYENS Centre of Excellence, former Municipal Market of Nicosia, winner of a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2025. Photo: Courtesy of CYENS
The Forum will highlight projects of Europe-Middle East cooperation, demonstrating how sustained collaboration between European civil society organisations and local partners from the Middle East can strengthen community resilience and foster peaceful engagement. The Forum will thus reaffirm the Mediterranean as a shared cultural space — where heritage is not only a legacy of the past, but a living instrument for dialogue, partnership and peace.
The Forum is organised within the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub project and has the support of the Cultural Protection Fund of the British Council.
The Forum 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 in cooperation with 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.
