Cultural heritage is not only about preserving the past, but also about connecting with the future, Emilia Tziva, deputy mayor of Irakleio in Attica, Greece, said during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue in Luoyang. Attending the forum in central China's Henan Province alongside around 100 global guests from October 9 to 11, Tziva called for stronger heritage preservation through education, public spaces and youth involvement. She noted that although the Greek town of Irakleio is small, it boasts a long history, adding that visiting Luoyang's ancient sites and giant Buddha statues reminded her of Greek mythology and the origins of her own city.