On 19 November 2023, Europa Nostra, Sumus, TBA21 – Ocean Space, IUAV University and Venice Urban Lab hosted an event entitled ‘An Ode to the Beauty of Togetherness to Create Good: The New European Bauhaus Venice Local Chapter’, which took place at the iconic Home of the Human Safety Net, recently restored by, Sir David Chipperfield, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2023 These five organisations, either based in or strongly connected to Venice, are all local official partners of the Venetian Local Chapter of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), which was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen on the occasion of her visit to Venice in May for the NEB side event of La Biennale Architettura exhibition.
The event was organised by Europa Nostra in the framework of the European Heritage Hub, an EU-funded pilot project bringing together heritage stakeholders and initiatives from across Europe to support the transition towards a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive society. It took place on the occasion of the Sumus Women initiative, held in Venice from 18-20 November, for which change-makers from all over the world came together to discuss our shared future with a holistic approach, looking beyond the conventional scientific lens.
Aligned with the foundational values of the New European Bauhaus – Beauty, Sustainability, and Inclusivity – the event sought to assemble individuals and organisations sharing a common dedication to these goals. It fostered an open, constructive dialogue to integrate our cultural heritage as an active catalyst for the triple transformation of our society.
The discussion started with the idea of promoting ‘beauty’ that creates ‘good’, and seeking more efficient ways to do so through cooperation and co-creation. Participants agreed that working ‘together’ is essential to achieve a more ‘sustainable’ future for Venice, Europe and the world. Moderated by Alexandra Mitsotaki, President and founder of the World Human Forum and member of the High Level Round Table of the New European Bauhaus Initiative, the five official partners of the NEB local initiative presented their activities and identified synergies.Â
Europa Nostra was represented by its Secretary General, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, and the European Heritage Hub Project Coordinator, Carla Toffolo, who presented the Hub’s mission and highlighted the value of working together for a more sustainable and just future. The European Heritage Hub will establish an autonomous and long-term platform allowing for more structured coordination across the heritage ecosystem.
Hélène Molinari, founder of SUMUS, presented the Sumus Women project and stressed the importance of having a more respectful attitude towards our planet, before presenting how innovative projects could be implemented in Venice and then replicated elsewhere to create a ripple effect. Jacopo Galli, Professor at the IUAV University, took the floor to present the Bauhaus of the Seas. Sergio Pascolo, an architect and urban strategist, professor of Architectural and Urban Design, illustrated a project for the Santa Marta district in Venice in favour of urban regeneration, carried out with the Venice Urban Lab.
