Building Cultural Bridges, Shaping Shared Futures: The Power of the Europeana Network Association Community
On Monday the 25 May 2026, we have a timely and unique opportunity to strengthen Cyprus’ connection to one of Europe’s most dynamic and active communities in digital cultural heritage: the Europeana Network Association (ENA). Bringing together more than 6,000 multi- and interdisciplinary professionals – researchers, curators, technologists, educators, policymakers, and creatives – ENA is united by a shared mission: to expand, enrich, and democratise access to Europe’s digital cultural heritage.
Our gathering on the 25 May is not intended as a formal awareness event, but as a catalyst for a real networking, connection and activation. It will take place in the framework of the Digital Heritage Summit, organised by the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage / Research Centre MNEMOSYNE in cooperation with ENA and Europeana under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on 25 May 2026, at the Papadopoulos Building of the Cyprus University of Technology.
This event is dedicated to the full spectrum of professionals and knowledge-makers who shape, preserve, and transmit cultural heritage: librarians, museologists, archivists, archaeologists, historians, and educators/teachers/academicians across all levels – elementary, secondary, and tertiary – as well as researchers from all disciplines, with particular emphasis on the Humanities and Social Sciences. It is an open invitation and free of charge participation to all those who safeguard memory, generate knowledge, and educate future generations to come together and explore how Cyprus can engage more strategically and collectively with Europe’s digital heritage landscape.
Let us use this moment to elevate Cyprus’ presence, align our local strengths with European opportunities, and ensure that our voice – rooted in one of the world’s richest and most enduring cultural histories – is both present and influential in shaping the future of digital cultural heritage.
Essential information
⦿ What: Public Event: Building Cultural Bridges, Shaping Shared Futures: The Power of the Europeana Network Association Community
⦿ Where: Papadopoulos Building, Themidos str. 1, CY 3036-Limassol, Cyprus
⦿ When: 25 May, 2026 from 14:30-17:30
⦿ How: This is offered free of charge; but registration is necessary
For more information, please see the press release HERE
Agenda
14.00-14.30: Welcome Coffee
●14:30-14:45: Welcome note from the CY University of Technology, CY Presidency of the EU Council, local authorities, Europeana and European Commission
●14:45-15:00: Welcome note and Intro-Presentation from Mrs. Sofie Taes, Chairlady of the Europeana Network Association
●15:00-15:15: The ENA Communities, Task Forces, the ENA Ambassadors and the ENA Country Groups, Mrs. Sofie Taes
●15:15-15:30: The EU Data Space Initiative its Impact to the Network, and the wider scope of digital initiatives, Mr. Chris de Loof, Treasurer ENA
15:30-15:50: Coffee Break
●15:50-16:15: Mrs. Dr. Ines Vodopivec, vice-chairlady ENA and Secr. General Artificial Intelligence for Libraries, Museums, Archives and Museums (AI4LAM) on AI Alignment Assembly
●16: 15-16:35: Mrs. Maria Kagkelidou, Communicators Community – The Impact of ENA – pitching the community
●16:35-17:00: Mrs. Dorothea Papathanasiou-Zuhrt, Education Community – The IMPACT of ENA – pitching the community
●17:00-17:20: A Call to action for the establishment of the Cyprus ENA Ambassador, The 1st ENA – CYPRUS Group
17:15-17:30: Closing remarks
