From May 26 to 29, 2026, the historic city of Rome served as the gathering place for the highly anticipated DARIAH Annual Event 2026. Organized by DARIAH, the European Research Infrastructure for the Humanities and Arts, and hosted by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), the conference focused on a critical and timely theme: “Digital Arts and Humanities with and for Society: building infrastructures of engagement.” Within this dynamic setting, the EXCALIBUR project made a significant impact, presenting innovative solutions designed to safeguard and share our collective cultural history.
Exploring New Models of Collaboration
A major highlight of the conference was the dedicated session exploring “New models of collaboration across academia, memory institutions, and society.” Expertly chaired by Adeline Joffres of MSH Val de Loire / CNRS, this session provided an ideal forum for examining how different sectors can unite to protect cultural assets.
It was during this collaborative discourse that representatives from the project’s coordination partner, the Information Technologies Institute at the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Thessaloniki, Greece, took the floor. The research team, comprising Eleftherios Anastasovitis, Georgia Georgiou, Spiros Nikolopoulos, and Ioannis Kompatsiaris, delivered a standout presentation focused on strengthening the capacity of the Cultural Heritage Cloud.
EXCALIBUR and MusicSphere: Pioneers of the ECCCH
Titled “Multi-functional digital solutions for the preservation of cultural heritage: Paradigms of innovation for strengthening the Cultural Heritage Cloud capacity,” the presentation showcased the dual impact of the EXCALIBUR and MusicSphere projects. Both initiatives were presented as integral, foundational parts of the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH).
During the session, Georgia Georgiou detailed how EXCALIBUR and MusicSphere are actively developing solutions that are open-source, cost-affordable, and deeply sustainable. By strictly aligning with the overarching framework and rigorous requirements of the ECCCH, these projects are ensuring the long-term preservation, broad accessibility, and practical reuse of invaluable cultural data.
Beyond Technology: The Pillars of Heritage Resilience
A central argument of the Greek research team’s presentation was that multi-functional digital knowledge infrastructures are paramount for supporting long-term cultural heritage resilience. They illustrated how projects like EXCALIBUR achieve this by seamlessly integrating data-driven insights and thoughtful end-user design into a single, cohesive ecosystem.
However, the team emphasized that technological robustness alone is not enough to sustain these platforms. True resilience requires a multi-faceted approach that bridges the gap between digital tools and human engagement.
Conclusion
The overarching takeaway from EXCALIBUR’s participation in Rome is that the resilience of cultural heritage infrastructures depends on a broader, more inclusive strategy. It relies heavily on technical interoperability, jointly developed scientific knowledge, participatory stewardship, and a fundamental commitment to openness. By advocating for these core values at the DARIAH Annual Event 2026, the EXCALIBUR project continues to pave the way for a more engaged, accessible, and resilient digital future for the arts and humanities.