On 21 January 2026, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU celebrated its official launch with a gala event at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels. The event was attended by numerous officials and distinguished guests from the European Council and the European Commission.
The Gala, which formed part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, was opened by the Deputy Minister of European Affairs, Ms Marilena Raouna, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou.
In her welcoming address, Ms Raouna stressed Cyprus’ commitment to the Presidency, emphasising the country’s ability to act as a bridge between member states and institutions, and between Europe and its wider region.
On the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency, Ms Raouna underlined that not only is it intended to share Cyprus’ remarkably rich culture and history with the rest of Europe and beyond, but also to burnish the threads of our common European tapestry.
Attendees enjoyed a concert by the Cypriot composer and pianist Stavros Lantsias, entitled “Echoes – Music and Thoughts Beyond Borders”, accompanied by a five-member band and an artistic performance by creator Stella Lantsia.
The concert featured a contemporary musical narrative that combined elements of jazz, improvisation and the musical traditions of the Mediterranean. It showcased the creative dynamics of contemporary Cypriot artistic expression and its international dimension, highlighting the role of culture as a space for dialogue and collective European expression.
Stavros Lantsias’ artistic proposal symbolised modern-day Cyprus: a country with deep historical roots that plays an active role in shaping the European cultural and political landscape. The concert emphasised the importance of the Cyprus Presidency in promoting cultural diplomacy and spotlighting Cyprus’ creative contributions to the European dialogue.
The concert presented Cyprus’ contemporary cultural expression as an integral part of the European cultural landscape, reflecting both its European orientation and its Mediterranean character. In doing so, it not only highlighted our national cultural identity, but also focused on the Presidency’s broader objective to promote dialogue, exchanges and cooperation across the EU.
The event sought to emphasise Cyprus’ role as a bridge between Europe and its neighbouring regions.
