‘Music Now! Musica Nostra!’ Conference in Mafra highlights the power of music for building a more united, inclusive, and sustainable Europe

On 30 April 2025, Centre Européen de Musique (CEM) and Europa Nostra hosted the ‘Music Now! Musica Nostra!’ Conference at the UNESCO-listed Mafra National Palace, Portugal, welcoming around 300 participants in-person and online. Organised in the frame of the EU-funded pilot project European Heritage Hub, the conference demonstrated the power of music to foster unity and peace, and support the social, green, and digital transition in Europe and beyond.

Some 30 music and heritage experts, representatives from European, national and local institutions as well as civil society emphasised the key role and multiple benefits of music for society – from education to democracy, from health, to innovation, and sustainability –, and advocated for adequate funding for music, heritage and culture in general, at all levels.

The ‘Music Now! Musica Nostra!’ Conference was held under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron. The conference was organised in partnership with the Municipality of Mafra, the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, Centro Nacional de Cultura, acting as coordinator of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Lisbon, Divino Sospiro and Terrafoundation. It concluded with a special concert by Divino Sospiro, a Baroque Chamber Orchestra based in Portugal, and Shani Diluka, a Monegasque-born pianist of Sri Lankan descent.

 

Conference themes and key takeaways

 Across four thematic panels, the conference explored music as the DNA of European cultural identity, and a bridge between tangible and intangible heritage; it also debated the challenges of digital transition and AI; and emphasised the need for an ambitious European initiative and adequate funding for music – as a vital part of Europe’s intangible heritage.

Throughout the conference, music and heritage experts, representatives from European, national and local institutions as well as civil society highlighted the key role and significance of music. The main takeaways of the discussions include:

• Music is a genuine reflection of both the tangible and intangible heritage of Europe, it fills historical places with a soul;
• Music is a force for democracy and peace, it heals what violence destroys;
• Music is a universal language, and as such is at the core of European unity;
• Music provides alternative tools for health strategies and therapies;
• Music is fundamental to education, from early childhood to lifelong learning, and helps fostering a sense of European citizenship;
• Music supports environmental awareness and stimulates sustainable practices; and
• Music inspires creativity and innovation, both artistic and technological.

 

Key Messages

 

The President Founder of Centre Européen de Musique (CEM), Jorge Chaminé, stated: “Music is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Music offers itself freely, generously, across all borders. Today we celebrate the profound recognition of the human spirit, putting music at the core of European unity.”

The Hub Project Leader and Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, highlighted that, in such turbulent times, the upcoming Culture Compass, a strategic framework for EU cultural policy currently being co-created together with stakeholders, is a unique opportunity to acknowledge the holistic role of music to bring Europeans together and place it centrally in related EU policies. “Let us lift up the game and launch a true alliance for music as a fundamental part and pillar of Europe’s culture and identity”, she said.

MEP Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP, Portugal) advocated for increased funding for culture in the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which currently represents only 0.2% of the total EU budget with the Creative Europe programme. Hélder Sousa Silva, former Mayor of Mafra, highlighted the example of the town of Mafra, which dedicated about 10% of its budget to investments in culture and education, leading to concrete improvements for the town’s quality of life. “EU Member States and municipalities across Europe should allocate more funds to culture, education and youth, and be held accountable”, he argued.

Hugo Moreira Luís, Mayor of Mafra, welcomed the organisation of the ‘Music Now! Musica Nostra!’ Conference in the town.  “Mafra is music, and today Mafra is also Europe and unity”, stated the Mayor. The historical relationship between the town of Mafra and music dates back to the construction of the Royal Building of Mafra. The Basilica of Mafra features the world’s largest set of 18th-century carillons (which had been included on the list of 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2014 and which were fully restored in 2020) as well as the only set of six historical organs designed for simultaneous use (whose restoration was awarded a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award in 2012).

Looking ahead

The European Heritage Hub, a pilot project co-funded by the European Union, aims to foster a more integrated and participatory approach to heritage – both tangible and intangible – across the continent. With the support of partners, including Europa Nostra and CEM, and institutions like the European Commission, the Hub provides a framework for cooperation between governments, cities, cultural organisations, and citizens. The outcomes of the ‘Music Now! Musica Nostra!’ Conference will be integrated into policy papers and recommendations to be published in 2025.

More information about the Conference

Video recording
Photo selection  | All the photos
Programme