European identity and cultural heritage: the Mediterranean has its say

TL;DR

This study examines how Mediterranean cultural heritage is used in European identity-building and highlights both its potential and challenges.

Contribution

The paper provides a novel analysis of Mediterranean Cultural Heritage's role in European identity through policy and academic trends.

Findings

Mediterranean heritage is used to promote shared values like diversity and sustainability.

Southern Mediterranean countries remain underrepresented in European heritage initiatives.

The Mediterranean Diet is a key topic in academic research on the region's cultural heritage.

Abstract

Mediterranean Cultural Heritage (MCH) has become increasingly prominent within European cultural policy and identity-building strategies. This article explores how MCH has been addressed in European initiatives and academic research, combining qualitative analysis of institutional and policy frameworks with bibliometric network analysis. The study focuses on three main areas: the role of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in heritage-related actions; the presence of MCH in two key European initiatives — the European Heritage Label and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe; and the identification of trends in European academic production since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995. Findings show that MCH has been mobilised as a tool for cultural diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the promotion of shared values, although its representation often remains implicit and fragmented. While initiatives such as the Day of the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue highlight growing recognition of Mediterranean diversity, challenges persist concerning Eurocentrism, limited inclusivity, and instrumentalisation of heritage. Bibliometric analysis also reveals a strong focus on themes such as sustainability, climate change, and intangible heritage, with the Mediterranean Diet emerging as a particularly influential topic. The article concludes that MCH is increasingly used to support European identity narratives and regional engagement, yet calls for more integrated and participatory approaches that reflect the complexity of the Mediterranean space and its diverse cultural legacies.

This study explores how the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region contributes to shaping a shared European identity. Mediterranean Cultural Heritage includes traditions, sites, and ways of life found across countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

The research examines how this heritage has been used in European policies and programmes, such as the Union for the Mediterranean, the European Heritage Label, and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. It also looks at trends in academic research from the last 30 years using a method called bibliometric analysis, which helps identify patterns in published studies.

The findings show that Mediterranean heritage is increasingly used to promote values like diversity, dialogue, and sustainability. Initiatives such as the Day of the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue highlight its growing visibility. However, there are still challenges — the contributions of southern Mediterranean countries are often underrepresented, and heritage is sometimes simplified or used mainly for political purposes.

Overall, the study shows that Mediterranean heritage holds strong potential to bring people and cultures together. A more inclusive and long-term approach is needed to ensure that this rich and diverse legacy plays a meaningful role in building a European identity that reflects the region’s complexity.

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