Europe & Culture: Back to the Future
On 10 June 2026, the seminar Europe & Culture: Back to the Future took place at Villa Salviati in Florence, home of the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU). Bringing together academics, public intellectuals, policymakers, and cultural practitioners, the seminar explored how culture has shaped European imaginaries and forms of belonging, while also offering critical perspectives on the notions of both ‘culture’ and ‘Europe’. The seminar formed the intellectual centrepiece of the official opening of the archives of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) at the HAEU, following the successful transfer of ECF’s historical records to Florence. Other elements were an exhibition, a dinner hosted by the foundation’s President, HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, and the launch of the ECF-HAEU Fellowship.
The public seminar echoed historical efforts of ECF to bring Europeans together and envision common futures. For Europe cannot be build on treaties alone, this requires something deeper: a sense that our destinies are connected. For over seventy years, the Foundation has championed cultural initiatives that bring people together, inspire hope, foster democracy and imagine a shared future for Europe.
The seminar itself was structured in two parts. The first part offered historical perspectives on the relationship between culture and European integration. The speakers explored how cultural visions of Europe became embedded in post-war institutions, networks, and policies, while also reflecting on the possibilities, limitations, and contradictions of culture as a vehicle for European belonging.
The second part turned towards the future. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, technological transformation, democratic fragility, and shifting social realities, contributors considered how Europe might respond proactively to contemporary challenges and reimagine itself altogether.
Together, the contributions reveal the enduring relevance of culture within the European project. They also ask what public institutions, foundations, and civil society can do to strengthen Europe through culture.
This publication contains transcripts of the contributions delivered during the seminar, accompanied by photographs documenting the event as well as reflections offered by the dinner guests.
photo by Marco Borrelli