Theophano Foundation

The Theophano Foundation is a Greek non-profit organisation established in 2019. Its principal activity is the annual award of the Empress Theophano Prize, which recognises individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to bridging divides between people, nations and ideologies, thereby enhancing understanding of Europe's common values. The prize is named after the Byzantine Empress Theophano, a figure symbolising the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, and the award ceremony is held at the Rotunda in Thessaloniki, a monument reflecting Roman, Byzantine, Orthodox, Ottoman and Greek influences. The foundation distinguishes its prize through three features. First, historical resonance: the name and the venue connect the award to the Byzantine heritage of Thessaloniki and to the wider idea of European cultural synthesis. Second, thematic diversity: each year the prize focuses on a different domain — such as education, science, the arts, humanitarianism, sports or culture — to highlight the different channels through which common European values are expressed. Third, non-pecuniary recognition: unlike many awards, the Empress Theophano Prize carries no monetary component, emphasising honour and recognition over financial reward. The foundation describes its purpose as twofold, with a mission centred on promoting understanding of the diverse historic interdependencies in Europe. By honouring contributions that foster unity and understanding, it positions itself as a distinctive actor in the landscape of European foundations, promoting the values that underpin European cohesion in what it describes as times of global dissonance and uncertainty. The foundation maintains a public presence through its website, theophano.eu, where it publishes press releases, ceremony highlights and information about the initiative.

The Theophano Foundation was established in 2019 in Greece. It was created to award an annual prize — the Empress Theophano Prize — to individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to bridging divides between people, nations and ideologies, thereby enhancing understanding of Europe's common values. The prize is named after the Byzantine Empress Theophano, a historical figure associated with the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. The award ceremony is held at the Rotunda in Thessaloniki, a monument that reflects Roman, Byzantine, Orthodox, Ottoman and Greek influences, reinforcing the foundation's theme of cultural synthesis and historical interdependency. From its inception, the foundation designed the prize to be distinctive in several ways. It is non-pecuniary, meaning it carries no monetary component, emphasising honour and recognition over financial reward. It is thematically diverse: each year the prize focuses on a different domain, such as education, science, the arts, humanitarianism, sports or culture, to highlight the various channels through which common European values are expressed. And it is historically resonant, tying the award to the Byzantine heritage of Thessaloniki and to the broader narrative of European unity. The foundation's mission is twofold, with a stated purpose of promoting understanding of the diverse historic interdependencies in Europe. By honouring contributions that foster unity and understanding, it seeks to play a distinctive role in promoting the values that underpin European cohesion, which it describes as essential in times of global dissonance and uncertainty. The foundation maintains a public presence through its website, theophano.eu, where it publishes press releases, ceremony highlights and information about the initiative. As of 2025, the foundation continues to hold its annual ceremony and to publish related materials.

• 2025

  Empress Theophano Prize 2025 ceremony held; press release and highlight video published.

• 2019

  Theophano Foundation established in Greece.

A non-pecuniary European prize honouring contributions to unity and understanding, rooted in Byzantine history and Thessaloniki's Rotunda.

• Empress Theophano Prize

  Annual non-pecuniary award to individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to bridging divides between people, nations and ideologies, enhancing understanding of Europe's common values.

1. 1THEOPHANO FOUNDATION PRIZEtheophano.eu
2. 2Theophano Foundationwikidata.org