Building Bridges between Music and Heritage: MERITA Networking Meeting
News | March 17, 2025
On the 28th of February, around 80 project leaders, musicians, and cultural heritage professionals gathered at an inspiring Networking Meeting with the aim of establishing networking between the MERITA platform. Participants, from members of Europa Nostra, owners of historic houses, and concert organizers to musicians, shared one thing in common – a love for protecting Europe’s cultural heritage through music.
MERITA: Strengthening the link between music and cultural heritage
MERITA is a pioneering initiative financed by the European Union with the purpose of enhancing the visibility and tour activity of future European string quartets as well as cultivating cultural heritage sites across the continent. By providing opportunities for redesigning musical performances, MERITA encourages an artistic dialogue between innovation and tradition. The platform is a dynamic hub that unites musicians, mentors, historical house owners, and concert organizers online and offline.
Concerts and Collaborations
MERITA has promoted concerts across Europe with success, bringing music to historical locations and instilling a sense of increased respect for cultural heritage. Recent concerts have included performances in Potsdam, Nicosia, Copenhagen, and the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), all of which are situated in award-winning heritage locations. These concerts demonstrate the potential of classical music in infusing life into historical buildings and engaging local audiences.
European Heritage Hub Forum in Budva
During the meeting, the members were offered an invitation to the European Heritage Hub Forum in Budva on April 3-4, 2025. The forum, themed “EU Enlargement: Cultural Heritage as a Key Resource for Cities & Civil Society”, will be physically and online, providing a platform for discourse on the role of cultural heritage in European development and expansion. You can find the registration link here. The registration is possible till the 21st of March for both on-site and online activities.
Honoring Heritage Through Music
The meeting highlighted the successful integration of concerts into European heritage sites. Past award-winning locations that have hosted performances include:
- The Winzerberg – Royal Vineyard at Potsdam-Sanssouci (2018 Award Winner)
- Friluftsskolen Open-Air School (2023 Award Winner)
- Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) (2023 Grand Prix Winner)
These collaborations introduce MERITA’s commitment to bridging cultural preservation with artistic expression.
Looking Ahead: Concerts and Events
A particularly exciting highlight was the upcoming performances of the Kandinsky Quartet, whose musician Antonio Gervilla shared insights during the meeting. Attendees were encouraged to mark their calendars for the following concerts on the 8th of May in Padova, Italy and on the 10th of July in Paris, France.
A full list of concerts across Europe is available on the MERITA platform, providing music lovers with numerous opportunities to experience the unique MERITA atmosphere firsthand.
As the network continues to grow, it promises to offer even greater opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and the celebrations of Europe’s rich musical and cultural heritage.