European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026: Nicosia May 26–30

The European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 takes place in Nicosia, Cyprus from Tuesday, May 26 to Saturday, May 30, 2026. Organised by Europa Nostra in cooperation with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, the Summit is held under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and with the support of the European Union. The overarching theme is «Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum» — exploring the geopolitical, societal, and environmental relevance of cultural heritage for Europe and the wider Mediterranean.

The five-day programme brings together heritage professionals, policymakers, award winners, and community members across a rich schedule of talks, ceremonies, guided tours, panel discussions, and networking events.

Tuesday, May 26 opens with the talk «Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum» (18:00–20:00) at the Leventis Museum, Hippocratous 15-17, organised within the EU-funded European Heritage Hub.

Wednesday, May 27 includes guided visits to the A.G. Leventis Gallery and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia (09:30–12:00), followed by the European Heritage Excellence Day 2026 (14:00–19:00) at the THOC Theatre — featuring presentations by the winners of the 2026 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. The evening closes with a Welcome Reception hosted by the Mayor of Nicosia at the Old Town Hall on D'Avila Bastion (20:00–22:00).

Thursday, May 28 begins with the Europa Nostra General Assembly 2026 (09:30–12:00, for members and associates only) at Nicosia Municipality. Afternoon guided visits take place at the Byzantine Museum, Hadjigeorgakis Cornesios Mansion, the Chrysaliniotissa Church, and the Archaeological Museum (15:00–17:00). The centrepiece of the Summit is the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2026 (20:00–22:00) at the Municipal Theatre of Nicosia, co-hosted with the European Commissioner for Culture and Sport and the Executive President of Europa Nostra, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Friday, May 29 features the European Heritage Policy Agora 2026: «Mare Nostrum: Championing Sustainability through Heritage» (10:00–12:30) and the European Heritage Hub Forum 2026: «Mare Nostrum: Fostering Peace through Heritage» (14:00–17:00), both at the CYENS Centre of Excellence — itself a European Heritage Award winner — at Mayor Lellos Demetriades Square 1. The evening concludes with a networking event featuring local food, music, and dancing in the park beneath Eleftherias Square (20:00–23:00).

Saturday, May 30 is organised by the Turkish Cypriot members of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub. The day begins at the Ledra Street Crossing (09:30), followed by a guided Arabahmet Heritage Tour (10:00–12:30), a networking lunch at the Bedesten (13:00–14:00), a panel discussion «Shared Heritage, Shared Future» (14:00–15:30), and a closing folk concert and dance performances by HasDer ensembles at the Bedesten (16:00–17:00).

Main European partner: European Commission. Key supporters: A.G. Leventis Foundation (Cyprus) and the Cultural Protection Fund of the British Council (UK).

For more information and registration details, please contact the organiser directly.