Europe Between Heritage and the Future: Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco 2026 in Strasbourg and Monaco

Europe, its history and its future will be at the heart of the new edition of the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, which in 2026 presents a series of discussions entitled “Europe: Heritage and Promise.” Two events, in Strasbourg and Monaco, will provide an opportunity to explore the meaning of the European experience, the continent’s cultural and political heritage, and the promises that Europe can still represent for future generations.

The programme will unfold in two stages: Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire in Strasbourg, followed by Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Théâtre Princesse Grace in Monaco.

The events take place within the framework of Monaco’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and are organised in partnership with the Direction des Affaires Culturelles.

“Europe: Heritage and Promise”: Reflecting on the Future of the Continent

What does it mean to be European today? Which ideas, principles and historical experiences form Europe’s heritage? And, above all, what prospects can the European project offer at a time of profound political, cultural and social transformation?

These are some of the questions that will guide the “Europe: Heritage and Promise” series, bringing philosophy, politics and culture into dialogue.

The choice of Strasbourg as the venue for the first event is particularly meaningful. The city is one of the symbolic centres of European integration and is home to major institutions and organisations connected with the history of the continent and the defence of its values.

The second event, in Monaco, will continue the discussion by focusing on the relationship between Europe’s heritage and the challenges of the present and the future.

The First Event in Strasbourg on September 17, 2026

The first event of the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco 2026 will take place on Thursday, September 17, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., at the Bibliothèque Nationale Universitaire in Strasbourg, 6, place de la République.

The discussion will be moderated by Florent Zemmouche, from the magazine Grand Continent, who will lead a conversation between three prominent figures from the French philosophical and political landscape.

The speakers will be:

• Monique Canto-Sperber, philosopher and former director of the École Normale Supérieure;
• Bruno Karsenti, philosopher and member of the Centre de recherches politiques de Sciences Po;
• Vincent Peillon, politician and professor of philosophy, former Minister of Education and former Member of the European Parliament.

The discussion will approach Europe from a variety of perspectives, connecting the European philosophical tradition with the political and institutional dimensions of the European project.

From History to Europe’s Contemporary Challenges

The concept of “heritage” is one of the central elements of the series. Contemporary Europe is the result of a long accumulation of ideas, conflicts, institutions and intellectual traditions that have helped shape the continent.

Yet heritage is not simply something to preserve. It can also become a starting point for building the future.

This is where the second key concept of the series comes in: “promise.” Europe is therefore considered not only as a historical and cultural legacy, but also as an ongoing project, capable of responding to the transformations of the contemporary world.

Philosophy thus becomes a means of questioning the present while also imagining new possibilities for Europe’s future.

The Second Event Takes Place in Monaco on October 14

The second part of the series will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Théâtre Princesse Grace in Monaco, 12, avenue d’Ostende.

Once again, the discussion will be moderated by Florent Zemmouche, from Grand Continent.

The panel will bring together three leading figures from the French philosophical and intellectual world:

• Barbara Cassin, member of the Académie française;
• Céline Spector, philosopher and specialist in political philosophy;
• Patrick Savidan, philosopher, professor at Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas and editor-in-chief of the journal Raison publique.

The participation of thinkers from different fields will broaden the discussion on Europe’s political and cultural meaning and on the conditions required for the European project to continue representing a shared vision.

Philosophy and Politics as Tools for Rethinking European Identity

The Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco series sits at the intersection of political philosophy, European culture and current affairs.

Talking about Europe means addressing questions that extend beyond the boundaries of European institutions: democracy, freedom, rights, identity, memory, citizenship and the relationship between peoples.

In this context, philosophy can help challenge established categories and question the very meaning of the European idea.

The Strasbourg and Monaco events will therefore offer two opportunities for public debate around a particularly timely question: how can Europe’s heritage be transformed into a promise for the future?

Two Symbolic Cities, One European Debate

The decision to hold the series in Strasbourg and Monaco gives the programme a particularly significant European dimension.

Strasbourg represents one of the key symbols of political and institutional Europe, while Monaco will host the second stage of the discussion at the Théâtre Princesse Grace.

The two events will be connected by the same theme and by a shared commitment to creating a space for dialogue between philosophy, culture and politics.

The initiative takes on particular significance in 2026, the year of Monaco’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and forms part of activities organised in partnership with the Direction des Affaires Culturelles.

Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco 2026: Dates and Information

First event – Strasbourg

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 12 noon–2 p.m.
Theme: Europe: Heritage and Promise
Venue: Bibliothèque Nationale Universitaire
Address: 6, place de la République, 67070 Strasbourg
Moderator: Florent Zemmouche, Grand Continent
Speakers: Monique Canto-Sperber, Bruno Karsenti, Vincent Peillon

Second event – Monaco

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Theme: Europe: Heritage and Promise
Venue: Théâtre Princesse Grace
Address: 12, avenue d’Ostende, 98000 Monaco
Moderator: Florent Zemmouche, Grand Continent
Speakers: Barbara Cassin, Céline Spector, Patrick Savidan

A Chance to Reflect on the Europe of Tomorrow

With “Europe: Heritage and Promise,” the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco present a 2026 programme devoted to one of the most important questions in contemporary debate: the relationship between European memory and Europe’s future.

Between Strasbourg and Monaco, philosophers, intellectuals and public figures will discuss the legacy of ideas that have shaped Europe and the possibility of transforming that legacy into a project capable of looking towards the future.

The two events therefore invite audiences not only to reflect on what Europe has been, but also on what Europe can still become.