The first European Union Songbook, a major cultural initiative showcasing Europe’s musical heritage through 164 songs from all 27 member states, will be officially presented on Europe Day at a special event in Cyprus, organisers announced.
The presentation will take place at the ARTE Music Academy in Nicosia on Friday, 9 May 2025, at 20:00.
Developed over nine years by music professionals from across the EU rather than government entities, the songbook represents “a more meaningful exchange between EU member states: that of musical treasures,” according to the announcement.
The project, which received the “European Citizen Prize 2023” from the European Parliament, emerged through extensive public participation, with songs nominated by choir singers, music students, and teachers from 103 music NGOs and tertiary music schools.
To ensure broad representation, songs were selected through 27 open votes conducted by each member state, processes covered by more than 400 media outlets and involving over 87,000 citizens of all ages.
The 164 songs (six from each nation) are grouped into six pan-European thematic categories: “Freedom and Peace,” “Love,” “Nature and Seasons,” “Folk Tradition,” “Faith and Spirituality,” and “Children’s Songs.”
Each song is presented for solo voice with chords and lyrics in both its original language (from 25 languages across 3 different alphabets) and singable English translation. QR codes on all scores lead to a free application with links to original recordings and texts written by 61 editors from member countries.
The collection spans six centuries of European musical history, with the oldest being a Greek Byzantine hymn and the newest a world-famous Portuguese love song from this millennium.
Cyprus’ six selected songs include “Tilirkotissa,” “I Diki mou i Patrida,” “To Giasemin,” “Tou Ai Giorkou,” “I Vrisi ton Pegiotisson,” and “Agia Marina.”
Dr Agis Ioannidis created the arrangements and translations for the book, while Aegli Spiridaki serves as the book’s representative in Cyprus. The ARTE Music Academy, Cyprus’ only tertiary music education institution, led the project locally.
The event is being held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Culture Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, with support from the European Commission Representation in Cyprus and in collaboration with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia.
Admission is free, though reservations are requested by 7 May.
