The European Federation of Saint James Way actively participated in the 13th Annual Advisory Forum of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Visegrád, Hungary, advancing its strategic objectives of network expansion, geographical continuity and academic collaboration, through the working meetings and multiple encounters held during the three-day event, which focused on the theme ‘Transmission and Innovation: Encouraging youth participation along the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe’.
The Federation was represented by secretary Catarina Chaves (from the Portuguese Federation of the Camino de Santiago) and technical assistant to Vice President-elect Oleksandr Vesheleni (from Vinnytsia City Council, Ukraine).
In the working meetings held during a boat trip on the Danube, the Federation had direct dialogue with representatives of the present countries of the EPA (Enlarged Partial Agreement), seeking to expand the Pilgrims’ Routes to Santiago to new countries and regions. These discussions contributed to the Federation’s strategy of achieving geographical continuity of the routes in Europe as continuous pilgrimage routes.
One of the highlights was the presentation of the 1st International Academic Conference of the European Cultural Routes University Network, to be held in Santiago de Compostela on 13 and 14 November, reinforcing the role of the Federation in the research and study of the cultural routes.
As for the Forum in general, highlights included:
The welcoming ceremony for the new member state of the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes.
The certification ceremony for the Council of Europe Cultural Routes that received certification in 2024, including the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes.
The Awards recognising the best practices of the European Cultural Routes aimed at youth participation.
For more information on the 13th Annual Advisory Forum and the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes, visit: https://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes/2024-visegrad-forum
The best moments of the Forum in pictures – check out the gallery!
