5:00 pm Europe First: Cultural Identity, Civilization and Political Agency

MCC Békéscsaba Center

This discussion will explore what “Europe First” means beyond slogans — as a political, cultural and civilizational concept. At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and internal fragmentation, questions of identity, heritage and collective agency have returned to the center of European debate. Is the preservation of Europe’s cultural legacy a legitimate democratic objective, or does it stand in tension with liberal pluralism? Can a strong civilizational self-understanding coexist with openness, diversity and the rule of law? The conversation will reflect on whether a shared civilizational narrative remains necessary for democratic stability, and how Europe can balance preservation, sovereignty and openness in a changing world.