Maria Nerantzaki โ Founder & President of Hellenic Cultural Bridge
Bridging Cultures-Inspiring dialogue in Brussels
Living in Brussels, as a member of the Greek diaspora, Maria Nerantzaki embodies the very essence of a โcultural bridge.โ A political scientist, artist, choreographer, mother, and founder of the โHellenic Cultural Bridgeโ, she naturally combines the logic of diplomacy with the sensitivity of art.
Through her position at the General Secretariat of the European Commission, Maria perceives culture not merely as an aesthetic experience but as a form of soft power, capable of fostering cooperation, creativity, and mutual understanding. With her vision, the Hellenic Cultural Bridge showcases Greece as a modern, outward-looking, and creative ambassador in Europe.
In the following interview, she speaks about art and diplomacy, motherhood, the Greek spirit, and her European experienceโdemonstrating how culture, when expressed with faith and passion, becomes an act of unity and inspiration.
Interview: Fotini Androulaki
Photography: Marioโs Theologis-Math Studio โข Styling: Chris Andriopoulos โข Makeup artist: Maria Vogiatzi
Living in Brussels but with Greek roots, how do you experience the balance between two cultures, and how has this shaped you as a person?
Since my childhood, my life has been a constant dialogue between Greece and Brussels. On one side, the language, roots, and family values; on the other, a multicultural environment filled with diverse cultures, mindsets, and languages. This experience made me more flexible, open to diversity, and more conscious of the importance of identity.
I realized that identity is not a dilemma between choices, nor something staticโit is a โbridgeโ built over time, constantly evolving and enriched. In trying to balance these two worlds, I discovered that this bridge is not just a personal experience but a source of inspiration, giving me the motivation to bring people and cultures closer together.
Your studies in Political Science and International Relations seem at odds with your artistic nature. What inspired you to unite these two worlds?
Many believe that political science and dance exist at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are not so different. Political science teaches you how the world works, while art teaches you how to feel the world. Both fields center on humanity and communication. Their coexistence in my life came naturally. I began classical ballet at the age of four, and by the time I started my university studies in political science and international relations, I was already working as a dance teacher. I never gave up one for the otherโthey have always coexisted in harmony.
Dance taught me discipline, devotion, expression beyond words, and the ability to communicate through movement, while political science equipped me with the tools to understand the forces shaping societies and to view issues on a global scale. During my studies, I encountered the concept of Soft Powerโthe influence exercised through culture, values, and the arts.
Thatโs when I realized that culture is not merely an aesthetic or artistic expression; it is a tool with real impact in diplomacy and politics. Thus, what once seemed a contrast transformed into a creative synthesisโtwo worlds that do not collide but rather complement each other.
How was the โHellenic Cultural Bridgeโ born, and what was the greatest challenge you faced in making it a reality?
The idea was born out of a deep need to see Hellenic culture recognized not only as heritage and memory but as a living dialogue with the present. To give Hellenic culture a role in conversationโnot in isolation. Seeing the lack of organized structures promoting Hellenic culture in Brussels, I felt it was both a responsibility and a challenge to create such an organization.
In addition, it was, in many ways, the natural evolution of my personal path and the need to balance my academic background with my artistic side. The biggest challenge, of course, was the limited resourcesโboth financial and humanโas well as the skepticism that often accompanies innovative initiatives.
Yet, through faith, optimism, personal effort, and the support of collaborators who shared the same vision, we established a non-profit organization with the mission of presenting Greece as a modern, creative, and diplomatic ambassador. Today, it has international partnerships, growing recognition, and continues to evolve dynamically.
Since 2017, you have served in the Secretariat-General of the European Commission. How has this helped you in achieving the goals of your organization?
The Secretariat-General of the European Commission serves as the coordination hub of all Commission activities, supporting decision-making at the highest level. This experience has given me a panoramic view of how policies are formed, how coherence between different sectors is ensured, and how dialogue among Member States is cultivated.
In terms of cultural diplomacy, it helped me understand that cultural initiatives cannot rely solely on good intentionsโthey require strategy, institutional support, and strong alliances to have meaningful impact. Daily collaboration with colleagues from all Member States also confirmed that our cultural initiatives resonate because they respond to a shared need: to create bonds that transcend national identities.
Dance is an important part of your life. How do you manage to balance your European career, artistic creation, and cultural diplomacy?
For me, dance and choreography are not simply a form of escape or artistic activityโthey are how I breathe, express myself, and find balance. Since childhood, dance has been my inner rhythm, giving me strength in every aspect of life. When I dance or choreograph, I return to the substanceโto freedom, to connection with myself and with others.
Of course, balancing a demanding job at the European Commission, running an organization, maintaining a family, and pursuing artistic creation is not always easy. There are moments of fatigue and pressure. But thatโs when art becomes both refuge and source of energy. After every rehearsal, I return renewed, with a clear mind. As Nikos Kazantzakis wrote, โArtistic creation is the inevitable, persuasive consequence of an inner need.โ That is exactly what it is for meโa necessity I cannot ignore, one that helps me continue with vision and faith, even when circumstances seem difficult.
In 2020 you became a mother. How did this experience reshape the way you view time, priorities, and your work?
Motherhood changes you profoundly. It teaches you to see time differently and to recognize what truly matters. You no longer measure moments as something to chase, but as spaces to fill with meaning.
Along with joy comes a new kind of fearโthe anxiety of protecting what is more precious than yourself. And yet, that fear transforms into strength, making you more present, more aware, and more determined. Since becoming a mother, my work has taken on an even deeper personal meaning: to contribute to a more open and creative world, not only for us, but above all, for the next generation.
Is there an upcoming event by the Hellenic Cultural Bridge you can share with us?
We are currently preparing an event dedicated to wine, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture. It will not focus solely on taste, but on wine as a cultural symbolโa vessel of memory and dialogue linking our two nations from antiquity to the present day.
Through talks, presentations, and tastings, we will highlight the varieties, traditions, and modern trends of Greece and Italy, rekindling the shared memory that connects both countries. Our ambition is to turn this initiative into an annual institutionโa gathering of people who love culture and wine, and who, through taste, seek history, identity, and the exchange of ideas. I can also reveal that, in the context of Greeceโs Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, we are planning a collaboration with a Belgian state cultural institution that will give Hellenic culture even greater international visibility.
If you had to summarize your vision for Hellenic culture in Europe in one sentence, what would it beโand what are the next steps for your organization?
Hellenic culture does not belong only to the pastโit is a living force that can inspire the present and illuminate the future of Europe. The key lies in opennessโthe courage to reach out, collaborate, and showcase our culture on a European and global level.
Our next steps move precisely in this direction: expanding our network of partnerships, creating new spaces for dialogue, and actively engaging young people so that Hellenic culture can converse on equal terms with other European culturesโand continue to serve as a bridge of understanding, collaboration, and peace.
Thank you so much!
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