In Varietate Concordia: exploring Europe’s challenges
In Varietate Concordia is a new initiative co-organised by Europa Nostra and the Centro Nacional de Cultura (CNC), with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub. The goal of the initiative is “to inspire reflection, provoke meaningful debates on the core challenges facing Europe, and ultimately drive action in defence of European values,” through the release of live talks, podcast interviews and written columns.
The first podcast episode was released earlier this month, featuring a conversation between Portuguese pianist and Helena Vaz da Silva Award laureate Maria João Pires, in conversation with Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra. In the episode, Maria advocates for a new “Renaissance of Europe” built on the articulation of different forms of knowledge, cultural diversity, and common values.
The first talk has also just been released, featuring a panel of four artists and prominent advocates of Iberian culture: conductor, composer and musician Jordi Savall, baritone and founder/president of the Centre Européen de Musique Jorge Chaminé, pianist Maria João Pires, and fado singer and curator of the Ponta Delgada 2026 – Portuguese Capital of Culture project, Kátia Guerreiro, moderated by Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović. The speakers reflect on how musical heritage can inspire unity and peace in Europe at a time when democratic values face growing challenges.