Cypriot researcher Nicoletta Demetriou receives Europa Nostra Grand Prix

Cypriot ethnomusicologist Dr. Nicoletta Demetriou was awarded one of the five Grand Prix prizes at the 2026 European Heritage Awards, held during the European Cultural Heritage Summit in Nicosia. Her project, The Cypriot Fiddler, won in the Research category for its contribution to documenting intangible cultural heritage. The initiative is based on over 15 years of ethnographic fieldwork, including interviews with both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot traditional musicians. The project includes a book, a documentary film, and a digital archive aimed at preserving musical traditions, oral histories, and linguistic expressions that were at risk of disappearing. The Europa Nostra jury praised the work for its bottom-up methodology and its role in fostering communication across cultural boundaries. Other 2026 Grand Prix recipients include projects in Italy, Ireland, Malta, and the late Ukrainian conservator Maryna Hrytsenko. Additionally, Androulla Vassiliou and the AG Leventis Foundation were honored with Europa Nostra Medals of Honor at the same ceremony.