July 13, 2025 /  France  /  Italy  /  Members  /  Portugal  /  Spain
Delegation of the Federation visits St. James Cathedral in Jerusalem

Delegation of the Federation visits St. James Cathedral in Jerusalem

On March 10, a delegation of the Fédération Européenne du Saint-Jacques de Compostelle visited the Armenian Convent of St. James. The delegation consisted of about 25 people of the organisation, led by the president Mr. Simone Pettirossi of the city of Assisi.

The pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella, or the Saint James Way, is the main pilgrimage route in Europe, and has two permanent representatives in the Council of Europe.

To renew the ancient relations between the two St. James pilgrimage sites

The visit of Fédération Européenne du Saint-Jacques de Compostelle or Saint James Way intends to renew and revive the ancient relations between the two St. James pilgrimage sites. The delegation of the Saint James Way visited the Armenian St. James Cathedral and the Monastery of Saint James.

 

 


July 13, 2025 /  Members
Agreement with The Compostela Group of Universities

Agreement with The Compostela Group of Universities

The European Federation of Saint-James Way and Compostela Group of Universities came to a framework agreement in January 2018 governing their collaboration in the design of common academic, cultural and social activities and action programmes on the Camino de Santiago.

Common academic, cultural and social activities and action programmes on the Camino de Santiago

The Compostela Group of Universities (CGU) is a network of universities built around the values of the Camino de Santiago. It seeks to facilitate and to promote cooperation among universities and stakeholders involved in Higher Education.

 

Website


July 13, 2025 /  France  /  Lithuania  /  Members  /  Poland
30 years of the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes

30 years of the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes

The Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration of Santiago de Compostela has been officially opened on the 23rd October in Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia (Spain). The event is taking place within the framework of the international seminar “Camino de Santiago y Europa”, organised by Catedra do Camino de Santiago e das Peregrinacións, Compostela group of universities and the Xunta de Galicia.

The event celebrates the 30 years of the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes, the first certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, exemplary symbol and model of cultural cooperation in Europe. In 1987 the Santiago Declaration stated that the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes “highly symbolic in the process of European unification, will serve as a reference and example for future projects”. Today, in 2017 this expectation may be said to have been fully realised.

The event celebrates the 30 years of the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes

Particularly remarkable during the event was the presence of Marcelino OREJA Y AGUIRRE, Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who opened the inauguration of the event, and Mr FERNÁNDEZ-GALIANO, Head of Culture, Nature and Heritage Department (Council of Europe), who gave a keynote address during the 23rd October evening. Beside Mr. DOMINIONI, Executive Secretary EPA, Director EICR, Mr MILLAN MON, Co-Chair of the Intergroup “Development of European Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Ways of Saint James and other European Cultural Routes” (European Parliament) has been among the eminent participants. The Route network has been representaed by Simone PETTIROSSI and Gerard BAUME, respectively President and Manager of the European Federation Saint James Way, Paolo CAUCCI VON SAUCKEN, Santiago de Compostela Scientific Committee was also present.

 


July 13, 2025 /  Italy  /  Members
General Assembly of the Federation held in the city in Assisi

General Assembly of the Federation held in the city in Assisi

The European Federation of the Roads of Santiago held from May 28 to 31, 2017 its General Assembly in the Italian city of Assisi, a member of the Federation, which also includes Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Lithuania.

The members of the Federation were received by the city’s mayor, Stefania Proietti and the vice-president of the Chamber, Marina Sereni.

In the assembly, the activity carried out was reviewed and the progress of the program for next year was discussed, focused on strengthening collaboration between different countries and developing relations between the Federation and the city of Bethlehem, thanks to the role of Assisi. The use of new technologies for the promotion and valorization of routes was also discussed.

The workshop “Camino de Santiago and European cultural routes. Strategies and tools for the development and promotion of the routes ”, which was attended by the Undersecretary of State for Cultural Heritage, Ilaria Borletti.

An oportunity for Assisi to strengthen the relationship with other friendly European countries, sharing common projects, synergies and promoting growth. cultural and tourist

The general assembly appointed Simone Petrirrossi as the new president of the Federation for the next two years. Petirrossi, Assisi advisor for all international cooperation and the European Union stressed that this appointment is an “opportunity for Assisi and the Umbria region and Italy to strengthen the relationship with other friendly European countries, sharing common projects, synergies and promoting growth. cultural and tourist ”. The mandates of the new president will be: to reinforce the collaboration and relationship with other European cultural routes, such as the Via Francigena, for example, to mediate the relationship between the Federation and the city of Bethlehem and to promote actions for the promotion of the Camino de Santiago with the University of Perugia.

 


July 13, 2025 /  Members  /  Poland
Technical Committee of the Federation met in Torun

Technical Committee of the Federation met in Torun

On March 28, a meeting was held in the Polish city of Torun of the Technical Committee of the European Federation of the Saint James Way, hosted by the Government of the Region of Cuiavia-Pomerania which recently joined the Federation.

The Xunta de Galicia was represented by Rafael Sánchez Bargiela, General Manager of the Xacobeo, and by the European Projects Technician of Turismo de Galicia.

Previous to the Federation meeting itself, the General Manager of the Xacobeo was welcomed by thee President of the Region of Cuiavia-Pomerania, Piort Calbecki, at the Regional Government building of Torun. During this meeting, the General Manager of the Xacobeo thanked President Calbecki for his interest in integrating this region into the European Federation and mentioned the important work the Regional Government is carrying out in favour of the Camino de Santiago in Poland, providing support for its signposting, the activities of the Jacobean groups in the area, as well as the functioning of the Chair of the Way of Saint James at the University of Torun, directed by Professor Piort Roszak. The Regional President showed his interest in integration into the European Federation and in establishing a collaboration agreement with Galicia.

Hosted by the Government of the Region of Cuiavia-Pomerania which recently joined the Federation.

The Federation Meeting was also attended by representatives of the member entities: the Xunta de Galicia, an Agglomeration of Lee Puy-en-Velay (France), the Province of Namur (Belgium), The Region of Cuiavia-Pomerania (Poland), The Municipality of Assisi (Italy), the Municipality of Vilapouca de Aguiar (Portugal), the Municipality of Rothenburg (Germany), the Association of Jacobean Municipalities of Lithuania.

The main points addressed at this meeting focused on the content of the new website of the Federation, www.saintjamesway.eu, the collaboration proposals of new activities (with the network of universities of Portugal, a Belgian project on gastronomy and tourism, the creation of work groups, etc. In addition, several proposals of the Institute of Cultural Routes of the Council of and the members informed on their activities throughout 2017.

Finally, the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Santiago de Compostela of the Council of Europe was dealt with. This declared the Way of Saint James to be the first European cultural route and led to the programme of European cultural routes which today includes more than thirty routes all over Europe.

 

 


July 13, 2025 /  Belgium  /  Members
Namur municipalities suscribes the Charter of the Saint James Way

Namur municipalities suscribes the Charter of the Saint James Way

2017 marks the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the recognition of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela as the first European Cultural Route. A European Cultural Route (ICE) is a label awarded by the Council of Europe to routes recognized as important for heritage and cultural integration within Europe.

As part of this commemorative year, the Namur Province Tourism Federation, one of the members of the European Federation of Roads of Santiago de Compostela and representative of Belgium, offers a “Charter of the Roads of Santiago de Compostela” to municipalities , tour operators, … who commit to unite their efforts to make the jacquaire Namur route a point of reference in terms of economic, social, cultural and tourist development.

In 2017, 14 municipalities subscribed to the Charter

Andenne РBeauraing -Couvin РDinant РDoische РFloreffe РGedinne РHasti̬re РHouyet РNamur РProfondeville РViroinval РVresse РYvoir

The Charter


July 13, 2025 /  Lithuania  /  Members
Vilnius hosts the 6th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum

Vilnius hosts the 6th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum

The representatives of the European Federation of Saint James Way participated on October 26 and 27, 2016 in the VI Annual Consultative Forum, co-organized by the Extended Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA), the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, and the European Institute of Cultural Routes in Luxembourg.

The 6th Annual Consultative Forum analyzed the recent expansion of the Program, highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities. The main themes of two days of interactive workshops and discussions were “Expanding geographical coverage and launching new alliances” and “Developing new themes and practices” for the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Program. The Forum discussed trends and challenges in relation to Cultural Routes, providing a platform to share experiences, review progress, analyze professional practices, launch new initiatives and develop partnerships across Europe and beyond.

An award ceremony for the fortified cities of the Greater Region, the 32nd Council of Europe Cultural Route certified in 2016, and the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (OMT) were among the best moments of the event.

The Forum discussed trends and challenges in relation to Cultural Routes

The conclusions of the Forum of exchanges held during the two thematic workshops were incorporated into the “Vilnius Roadmap”, which sets out the guidelines for future activities of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Program.

The Annual Consultative Forum 2016 was attended by more than 200 participants from more than 30 countries, representatives of the Member States and observers of the Partial Extended Agreement on Cultural Routes, representatives of the certified cultural routes of the Council of Europe, candidate projects and international organizations (European Union , OMT, ICOMOS), NGOs, local and regional authorities, academics and professionals in the cultural tourism sector.

 


July 13, 2025 /  Members  /  Portugal
The European Federation celebrates its asamblea in Vila Pouca de Aguiar

The European Federation celebrates its asamblea in Vila Pouca de Aguiar

Coinciding with the beginning of the rotating presidency represented by Ana Rita Díaz, the European Federation of Saint James Way celebrated its annual walk in Vila Pouca de Aguiar.

In addition to reviewing the projects and activities carried out during the year, the members of the federation approved the activities and activities planned for the next exercise.

Participants visit the prominent sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios in Lamego

During their stay in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, participants in the annual tour provided the opportunity to visit a section of the Camino Interior and visit in the municipality of Lamego the prominent sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios.

 


July 13, 2025 /  Lithuania  /  Members
Lithuania has joined the Network of St. James’s Way

Lithuania has joined the Network of St. James’s Way

On June 3, Lithuania was unanimously accepted into the Federation and became a full- fledged member. The President of the Association of Municipalities of St. James’ s Way of Lithuania, the Mayor of Panevėžys City Rytis Račkauskas has been elected the Vice-President of the Federation of Europe.

“Joining into European Federation will provide Panevėžys with the possibility to become part of European Network of Cultural Ways. The City will have new perspectives to be included into international tourism routes(cultural, religious), to use EU financial instruments for the development of cultural trails and to spread the information about it. International tourism will be promoted, cultural and natural heritage will be protected “, – said Rytis Račkauskas.

Together with Lithuania, Germany and Poland also became the members of the Federation. Thus, the ways leading to Santiago de Compostela via Lithuania will continue in Poland and Germany. They will join the trails in France, Portugal, Italy and, certainly, Spain through the pilgrim ways of St. James.

 

International tourism will be promoted, cultural and natural heritage will be protected

Being just 200 km away from Santiago de Compostela and just by the Spanish border the Municipality of Vila Pouca de Aquiar welcomed the participants of the General Assembly from Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Italy and France in a hospitable way. The participants of the Assembly have elected a new President of St. James’s Way Federation of Europe, the representative of Portugal Ms. A. R. Dias for 1 year term and the Vice-Presidents. The Congress of Cultural Ways of European Council which will take place in Vilnius in the end of October has been discussed. Thus, already in a few months, Lithuania will welcome the representatives of European countries having the ways of St. James. The aim of the Congress is to coordinate the network of St. James’s Pilgrim Ways in a more effective way, to establish the infrastructure satisfying the needs and requirements of nowadays.

The Association of Municipalities of St. James’s Way of Lithuania was established on May 31 by 9 Lithuanian municipalities: Kaunas City Municipality, Panevėžys City Municipality, Alytus, KaiÅ¡iadoriai, Kalvarija, Kretinga, Lazdijai, MarijampolÄ— and VarÄ—na District Municipalities. The Mayor of Panevėžys City Rytis Račkauskas has been elected the President of this Association for a 4 year term. The Mayor of Alytus District Municipality Algirdas Vrubliauskas became the Chairman of the Board.

 

 


July 13, 2025 /  France  /  Members
The European Federation of Saint James Way is created

The European Federation of Saint James Way is created

The manager of the S.A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo, Camino Triguero, informed this Thursday the plenary session of the Jacobean Council, which met in Madrid, of the recent constitution of the European Federation of the Roads of Santiago de Compostela.

In addition to presenting the joint report of activities for the Holy Year 2010, Triguero has listed the advantages and possibilities of the Federation and explained that any interested autonomous community can participate.

Objectives

On April 1, the Minister of Culture, Roberto Varela, went to the town of Le Puy to sign with the French Minister of European Affairs, Laurent Wauquiez, the statutes of the constitution of the Federation.

The objective of it is to bring together the territorial communities of the European continent crossed by the Caminos de Santiago around a shared cultural program.

The founding territorial collectivities of the Federation are the Xunta de Galicia, the Communauté d’agglomération de Puy-en-Velay (France) and the Commission for the Coordination and Development of the Rexional do Norte (Portugal).

 



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