Europa Nostra co-organises MERITA concerts in heritage sites in Potsdam, Nicosia and Copenhagen

In June 2024, Europa Nostra co-organised three enchanting concerts in iconic heritage sites, namely the Winzeberg Royal Vineyard in Potsdam (Germany), the Friluftsskolen Open-Air School in Copenhagen (Denmark) – both winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards – and the ARTE Music Academy in Nicosia (Cyprus). The concerts were held in the framework of MERITA, an online and offline platform that increases the visibility and circulation of young European string quartets, which is co-funded by the European Union. As one of the 16 members of the consortium coordinated by Le Dimore del Quartetto, Europa Nostra is organising a total of nine concerts until August 2025.

Concert by Karski Quartet at the Winzeberg Royal Vineyard in Potsdam

On the afternoon of 13 June, the Winzeberg Royal Vineyard in Potsdam staged a wonderful concert by the Karski Quartet from Belgium. Drawing inspiration from the vineyard, their captivating repertoire blended classical tunes with folk melodies and modern compositions, showcasing the intrinsic connection between music and nature.

The high-quality performance by the Karski Quartet, which included pieces composed by Antonio Vivaldi and Szymon Laks, perfectly harmonised with the surroundings and dragged the public into a complete immersion in the natural atmosphere.

Blessed by a warm early-summer afternoon, the concert assembled a diverse audience of 200 participants, including authorities and heritage professionals, as well as visitors who stopped by to enjoy the music from the evocative balconies.

The Executive President of Europa Nostra, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, the President of Europa Nostra Germany, Dr. Uwe Koch, and a delegation from Europa Nostra Denmark, participated in the event.

After the musical performance, the participants enjoyed the traditional Bacchusstunde, a moment of wine and local food tasting which has been organised by the Winzerberg Association since 2016. The association has been dedicated to the renovation of the terraces and maintaining the vineyard’s vitality for the local community since 2005. The Winzerberg Royal Vineyard won an European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award in 2018 in the category Conservation.

The concert in Potsdam was organised by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with Europa Nostra Germany and its President.

 

Concert by Kandinsky Quartet at the ARTE Music Academy in Nicosia

On the occasion of the International Music Day, the second concert was held on the evening of 21 June at the ARTE Music Academy in Nicosia. The Kandinsky Quartet from Austria offered a reflection on conflict and peace through the eyes of poets. The repertoire included musical pieces by Dmitri Šostakovič and recitations of literary excerpts from poets who have lived through the atrocities of conflicts. By interweaving music, narration and poetry, the young ensemble from Vienna aimed to encourage a deeper reflection on the importance of peace.

The concert in Nicosia was organised by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with Androulla Vassiliou, Vice-President of Europa Nostra, and Agni Petridou, Manager of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia. In her address, Androulla Vassiliou highlighted the importance of such concerts in fostering synergies and building new bridges for peace and reconciliation. “War is never as fertile for the future as only peace can be. Europa Nostra is committed to promoting the protection of cultural heritage and peacebuilding through civil society and culture,” she emphasised.

The concert took place at the neoclassical building hosting the ARTE Music Academy, an Associated Partner of the Nicosia Hub. It gathered a diverse audience, including representatives from local embassies in Cyprus, musicians and students, who also had attended the masterclass organised on the eve of the concert.

On 20 June, the Kandinsky Quartet, in the frame of MERITA and in collaboration with the University of Cyprus, a partner of the Nicosia Hub, gave a masterclass to young musicians in the Musical Talent Development Programme of the University of Cyprus, together with three quartets from the Programme. The young participants were excited about the experience, drawing inspiration and learning new techniques for their instruments. The Kandinsky Quartet was welcomed by the Director of the Programme, Maestro Petros Stylianou.

 

Concert by Antarja Quartet at Friluftsskolen Open-Air School in Copenhagen

The third concert was held on 25 June at the Friluftsskolen Open-Air School in Copenhagen. The Antarja String Quartet from Poland performed ‘Painted by Music,’ a special concert where music and art brought together the pupils with disabilities of the school and other specially invited guests.

The concert consisted of two performances which gathered 40 students in total. The children, aged from 8 to 16-years-old, had the unique opportunity to be the protagonists of a participatory performance, which included a painting session. Inspired by the notes and the emotions triggered by a carefully selected repertoire, the youngsters were asked to give free expression to their feelings and transmit them into colours and shapes.

“It was a beautiful, moving and memorable concert. It exceeded my expectations by far. The musicians – Barbara, Maria, Magdalena and Martina – showed empathy, a nerve and close feeling with the audience (the children). Our students got an experience that many of them will never forget. A door to a new language was opened for them”, commented Ida Andersen Krabbe, Director of the Friluftsskolen Open-Air School.

The concert in Copenhagen was organised by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with Europa Nostra Denmark and its President Ettie Castenskiold.

The Friluftsskolen Open-Air School received an European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2023 in the category Conservation and Adaptive Reuse. This masterpiece of functionalism, designed by the architect Kaj Gottlob and built in 1938, demonstrates the way in which architecture can contribute to health and well-being. Its restoration serves as a model for other schools in Europe.