A soul for Europe

Belonging to Europe - Identity as practice

Towards the Berlin Conference 2026: Europe at the Heart of our Practices

How do you transform an abstract idea of Europe into a real sense of belonging? As the Berlin 2026 Conference, the initiative A Soul for Europe invites you to a pivotal meeting at the Jean Monnet House.

This event is more than just a meeting: it's a think tank whose conclusions will directly shape the debates at the major annual conference (BC2026) on 5 and 6 November.

💡 Theme: «Belonging Europe - Identity as Practice»

In the face of growing alienation from institutional structures, we assert that democratic stability is based on a experience of belonging.

European identity must no longer be a narrative imposed from on high, but a way of life. daily practice rooted in our towns and cities. It is at municipal level that citizenship becomes tangible and social ties are renegotiated.

🚀 Why is this event crucial?

Against a backdrop of social fragmentation, this meeting aims to :

• Reducing the distance to the EU: Dialogue directly with MEPs to create a bridge between the institutions and civil society.
• Enhancing the value of the municipal level : Supporting mayors and local authorities as essential catalysts for democracy.
• Mobilising Culture : Using the arts as «translators» to transform European values into emotions and concrete experiences.
• Redefining Identity: Taking the concept of identity away from exclusivist narratives and turning it into an open, inclusive and democratic practice.

🎭 Arts and Culture at the centre

We see cultural networks as the new arenas for democratic revitalisation. Through their ability to touch the senses and emotions, artists and creators play a key role in making Europe eloquent and accessible.