What role can cultural heritage play in European Union policy? How does the situation in conflict-affected countries, such as Ukraine or Syria, influence the perception and protection of European cultural heritage? What are the main challenges related to social divisions in Cyprus, and how can they be addressed to achieve agreement and cooperation?
In the second interview of the “Heritage Voices” series, Dr Katarzyna Jagodzińska and John Beauchamp speak with Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth from 2010 to 2014, one of the key figures in shaping and managing European heritage policy. Androulla Vassiliou shares her thoughts on the place of heritage in the European agenda, the fight for its greater recognition, and the role of Europa Nostra in better understanding and building connections in contemporary civil society.
She also sheds light on the relationships between Europe and countries in the Middle East and the southern Mediterranean coast in terms of heritage, which she supports as the head of the regional Europa Nostra centre – Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia.
