For their 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM), members of CENL and their guests gathered in Luxembourg from 14 to 16 June 2026.
Membership in CENL is linked to the membership of the respective country in the Council of Europe (CoE). Given this connection and the conference’s location, it was only natural to open the conference with a keynote address by the Council of Europe’s Director for Democracy. In his presentation, titled “Custodians of Cultural Memory: The Importance of National Libraries in Safeguarding Europe’s Cultural Heritage”, Matjaž Gruden discussed the close relationship between democracy, culture, and libraries. Next, Harry Verwayen, Director of the Europeana Foundation, spoke about “When AI Challenges Europe: Joining Forces Through the Data Space for Cultural Heritage.” Another keynote was given by Annika Wägenbauer. Her contribution titled “Collaboration as a Shield: Safety and Security for Cultural Heritage Institutions” aimed to raise awareness of this topic, the importance of which cannot be overstated. She highlighted the immense value of the CENL network in addressing the challenges posed by threats to our cultural heritage.
Two more presentations—by Andreas Fickers on “Narrative Authority and Transmedia Storytelling in the Digital Age” and by Valentine Charles on “Many Voices, One Space: Multilingual Cultural Heritage Data for a Diverse and AI-Ready Europe”—rounded off the external input. As in previous years, CENL members also had the opportunity to contribute with short interventions on the latest achievements, ideas, and developments at their libraries. Many members actively engaged, enriching discussions during breaks and beyond.
Luxembourg’s culture was also an integral part of the gathering. On Sunday, participants had various opportunities to explore the city, with the highlight being a guided tour of the fortress museum, Musée Dräi Eechelen. We are deeply grateful to Claude D. Conter and his exceptional team for their hospitality and for making this meeting such a success. Their meticulous planning and attention to detail ensured a seamless and memorable experience for all participants.
Following the AGM, the Executive Committee and the conference hosts were presented with a special honour. Her Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess Stéphanie, invited them to an audience at the palace, where she personally inquired about the conference’s progress and the most pressing issues facing national libraries today.
Inspired by the productive discussions and collaborations at this year’s AGM, we eagerly anticipate our next gathering in Stockholm.