30 years of glorious European cultural routes

Building dialogue and sustainable development through an Europe rich in history, heritage and values

The Council of Europe Cultural Routes’ programme celebrates its 30th anniversary in Lucca (Italy) on 27-29 September, with a special ceremony to highlight the relevance of Cultural Routes for the promotion of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and sustainable tourism.

This year’s Forum "Building dialogue and sustainable development through European values and heritage" will provide a particular attention to the role of cultural routes in promoting Council of Europe’s values, local development and new spaces for intercultural dialogue.

Over three days of workshops and interactive debates, three main themes will be explored:

• 30 years of Cultural Routes history, values, and future perspectives;
• Cultural heritage and sustainable tourism: democratic participation, local development and accessibility;
• Promoting cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and the role of culture in international relations.

The Forum will discuss trends and challenges in relation to Cultural Routes, providing a platform for sharing experiences, reviewing progress, analysing professional practices, launching new initiatives and developing partnerships across Europe and beyond. Participants range from managers among the 31 cultural routes of the Council of Europe to representatives of national ministries, European Union and International Organisations, academics, experts and tourism professionals.

From the legendary path of Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim routes and the historic journey along the Via Francigena to the cross border legacy of the Viking Routes and the nordic trails of Saint Olav’s Ways; from the art and architecture of Transromanica to the Art Nouveau style and to the footsteps in concert halls and opera houses of European Mozart ways; from the past glories of the Via Regia to the mythical and sacred Routes of the Olive Tree : 31 cultural routes go through 56 countries emphasising European richness in architecture, landscape, culture, society and religion.

The organization helps to strengthen the democratic dimension of cultural exchange and tourism through the involvement of grassroots networks and associations, local and regional authorities, universities and professional organisations. It contributes to the preservation of a diverse heritage through theme-based and alternative tourist itineraries and cultural projects.

An evaluation of certified routes is carried out regularly by the EPA Governing Board. As of January 1st 2018, 30 States will be members of the Enlarged Agreement.

See all the cultural routes here http://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes

Valere Tjolle

@ValereTjolle