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On February 5, the WeGil Cultural Center in Rome launched a photo exhibition entitled “From the Via Francigena to Camino de Santiago: Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” (“Gli Itinerari Culturali del Consiglio d’Europa: dalla Via Francigena ai Cammini di Santiago di Compostela”). It includes photos from more than 10 countries which these pilgrimage routes cross.

The exhibition is organized by the European Federation of Saint James Way and the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways together with the Italian region of Lazio on the occasion of Italy’s Chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and a newly signed partnership agreement between Galicia (Spain) and Lazio (Italy). Vice President of the European Federation of St. James Way Andrii Ocheretnyi and scientific advisor Dr. Francisco Singul Lorenzo participated in the event.

During the opening speeches director of the Galician Agency for Tourism Xosé Manuel Merelles stressed that “the pilgrimage routes to Rome and Compostela constitute a network of culture and spirituality that reinforces the identity of Europe.” Referring to the two routes, the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena, he stressed that “they are synonymous with harmony, tolerance, understanding and knowledge of peoples, values that the Council of Europe safeguards.”

50 photos and maps, which reveal the history and the present of the two most popular active pilgrim routes

The exhibition “From the Via Francigena to Camino de Santiago: Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” consists of 50 photos and maps, which reveal the history and the present of the two most popular active pilgrim routes of Europe: St. James Way, Camino de Santiago and the Franconian Way, Via Francigena. Each panel is equipped with a QR code that allows the visitor to access the official websites of the Itineraries, offering useful tools for organizing a trip.

In her introduction to the exhibition, professor Roberta Alberotanza (Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria)described the rich cultural background of the European Federation of Saint James Way, which currently unites 10 European countries devoted to the preservation and promotion of sacral heritage and the traditions of pilgrimage. In her opinion, the exhibition invites the visitors to embark on a cultural journey that is different from traditional routes, rediscovering European roots and living authentic experiences.

EFSJW Vice President Andrii Ocheretnyi reminded that today these routes bring hope to those who are experiencing stress and pain. “Our routes, which we are reviving in the new millennium, have survived wars, epidemics and even genocide. Unfortunately, nowadays Russian missiles and Iranian drones continue to fly over the heads of several hundred Ukrainian pilgrims who set out on St. James Way from my native city of Vinnytsia, – Andrii Ocheretnyi said. – Camino de Santiago, Via Francigena and many other pilgrim routes in Europe are the roads where people pray for peace and a better future for humanity. These routes make us face each other, heal our wounds and give us new experiences”.

According to the President of the Lazio Regional Council, Antonello Aurigemma, “thanks to this exhibition, we will have the opportunity to grasp an authentic and fascinating perspective of the experience, because these routes are not only geographical paths, but real inner journeys that allow us to reflect on our cultural and spiritual identity”.

The exhibition is open till March 7 at WeGil (Largo Ascianghi, 5, Rome, Italy) everyday from 10 AM to 19 PM.

Activities along the Saint James Way, including the project The Way must go on created with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, were presented at the annual online meeting of the coordinators of the European Heritage Days.

This two-day event brought together national coordinators and heritage specialists from a number of European countries: Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Finland and France. The main topic was the results of this year’s theme “Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections”. National coordinator Estrella Martín (Spain) praised the events held through the Jacobean network as a successful example of integration of European Heritage Days into the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

The Saint James Way was represented during the meeting by Oleksandr Vesheleni, Director of the Department of City Marketing and Tourism of Vinnytsia City Council and Technical Assistant to the Vice President-elect of the European Federation of St. James Way.

He shared the experience of the European Federation of Saint James Way in holding European Heritage Days along the cultural route. In addition to that, he spoke about the grant that the Ukrainian member of the Federation (Vinnytsia City Council) won in 2023 from the Council of Europe and the European Commission as part of the European Heritage Days Stories competition, which made it possible to implement the project The Way must go on and restore the Camino Podolico, put on hold in 2022 due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. As a result, the gastronomic heritage of Podillya region was researched, a gastronomic catalog of the route and a series of video reports were published, and the communities of the route joined the European Heritage Days for the first time receiving an incentive to develop, work with tourists and pilgrims, build basic infrastructure, and most importantly, preserve and develop local heritage.

Read more about this – at the link.

“Thanks to the grant support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, we were able to visit each of the communities on the route, to see how they are overcoming the consequences of the full-scale war and how they continue to preserve their heritage – especially intangible, because it directly depends on its carriers, the originators, who can pass on traditions to future generations, – Oleksandr Vesheleni noted in his presentation. – The topic of EHD-2023 “Living heritage” and immersion in the local gastronomic heritage was the best way to stimulate them not only to host European Heritage Days for the first time, but also to prepare for the resumption of the pilgrimage on Camino Podolico. As a result, in 2024, more than 300 people from all over Ukraine (except for the temporarily occupied regions) walked the route”.

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The European Heritage Days (EHD), a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, are cultural events organized by different European countries to raise awareness of heritage, both tangible and intangible. European Heritage Days develop and strengthen people’s sense of belonging and responsibility for heritage, emphasizing the relevance of human rights and democracy.

The newly created Association of Friends of Saint James Way in Ukraine was officially launched in Vinnytsia on 25 October 2024, marking a significant milestone in the development of pilgrimage routes in the country.

Key Points of the New Association:

• Founded in October 2024 in Vinnytsia, with plans to expand throughout Ukraine.
• Led by local activists of the Podolic Way, including Vladyslav Pidhaiets from the community of Severynivka.
• Signed a protocol of accession to the Memorandum of Cooperation for the development and promotion of the pilgrimage route.

Main Objectives:

• To promote the knowledge of the Way of St. James in Ukraine.
• To develop information centres and a network of local coordinators.
• Collaborate with European associations and local communities.
• Encourage rural tourism and infrastructure for pilgrims.

Future plans:

The Association will focus on pilgrim support and infrastructure development by 2025. This includes route signage and promotion among local residents and pilgrims.

International Cooperation:

During the event, representatives of European associations of Saint James Way shared their experiences, showing interest in collaborating with Ukraine.

How to Participate:

Those interested in joining the Association can contact by email at camino.friends.ukraine<@>gmail.com. Facebook and Instagram pages have also been launched to keep the community informed.

This initiative represents an important step in the integration of Ukraine into the network of European cultural routes, promoting sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Read the full story on the Camino Podolico website

European Heritage Days were held in Vinnytsia for the sixth time, and this year a special place in the events was given to the Saint James Way of Podillya (Camino Podolico).

This walking route is now a part of the first certified cultural route of the Council of Europe – Camino de Santiago. European Heritage Days – is also an initiative of the Council of Europe, which includes the promotion of heritage and the giving access to usually closed objects. The theme of this year’s events is the importance of historical routes, networks and connections that unite different peoples and cultures of Europe.

First of all, everyone interested had the opportunity to walk the first part of the Camino Podolico route. On September 21 a group of 10 people walked approximately 25 kilometres from the Church of the Virgin Mary of Angels in Vinnytsia to the Sanctuary of Saint Joseph in Hnivan.

On September 26 at a lecture of local historian Tetiana Karoieva, all interested could learn about where and how ancient pilgrims walked in Podillya. The professor spoke about religious routes, important shrines of Podillya and the routes pilgrims took to reach them. In general, the lecture highlighted the historical aspects and significance of pilgrimage in the cultural and spiritual life of the region, which has always been at the crossroads of the routes.

In addition, the series of EHD events connected with the Camino Podolico route included excursions to the dungeons of the Capuchin church, which in ancient times were used for evacuation during enemy attacks, burying the dead, storing food and even brewing beer.

The final evet of the EHD series was a meeting of the pilgrims of the Camino Podolico route, held on October 2. Several dozen people gathered at the Visit Vinnytsia Tourist Hub to share their experiences or find out more information before their trip. The participants included experienced hiking guide Svitlana Hordiichuk, researcher of Podillya cuisine Olena Pavlova, a teacher at a service sector school Natalia Rybak and others. Participants from other Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Shepetivka) and even abroad (France, Turkey, Sweden) joined the meeting online.

«When you start walking the Way for the first time, your life changes dramatically, because it is impossible to leave it. The routes will change, the people will change, but you will stay on the Way and strive for this inner freedom and new experiences. For me, it’s like a concentrated life. And when you trust the Way, real miracles happen to you: you meet people, who will support and help you, who will give you the keys to their apartment saying: ” Spend the night and leave it under the mat in the morning” – and this trust is incredible. This is what the Way teaches. This year, for example, I was in Canada, where I travelled 10 thousand kilometres, and this is all thanks to the people that I met on the Way and with whom I am now friends. Therefore, for all those who are still thinking – step on the Path, start with the Camino Podolico, because it is an opportunity to test yourself and to get to know each other better», – shared Natalia Rybak, who walked the Camino in Spain and in Ukraine.

«Сamino Podolico – is probably the first route you should try, before all the others. First of all, it’s quite easy to walk, secondly, you don’t have any language barrier, thirdly, almost all route has network coverage. And in such a safe format, you can have a lot of fun, adventure, and fall in love with the Podillya region so that you can become its ambassador for life», – added Olena Pavlova, who walked the Saint James Way of Podillya in 2023.

In total, more than a hundred people took part in the EHD events connected with the Camino Podolico route.

The coordinator of European Heritage Days in Vinnytsia City Territorial Community – the department of city marketing and tourism of Vinnytsia city council.

The European Federation of Saint James Way has played an important role in the 11th edition of the Training Academy of the European Cultural Routes, an event of great importance at European level held from 4 to 7 June in Brindisi, Italy, with the participation of the certified cultural routes.

Ildefonso de la Campa, President of the European Federation, took part as a speaker in the first panel of the day, called “Pedestrian Routes in the framework of the European Cultural Routes”. In this panel, he shared space with other relevant personalities such as Elena Dubinina, from Via Francigena; Hans Morten Løvrød, from Route of Saint Olav Ways; and Martine Campangne, from Saint-Martin of Tours Route. During his speech, de la Campa underlined the differences between Pilgrimage and Tourism, and the importance of the Way of St. James in the promotion of European values. He also presented the main challenges for the future and the strategies for the development of the Way of St. James in Europe.

The Federation was also represented by Catarina Chaves, representative of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, and secretary of the European Federation, in the working group on “Tourism”. In this working group, Chaves shared the session with personalities such as Matteo Nardin, from the European Travel Commission; Inger Harlevi, from The Hansa; and Miguel Ángel Martín Ramos, from European Routes of Emperor Charles V, among others. Among the topics discussed was the challenge of developing non-massified pilgrimage routes, based on the historical rigour and authenticity of the territories, in a globalised tourism context.

In addition, Pilar Gómez Bahamonde, director of the Fundación Camino Lebaniego de Cantabria, participated in the working group on “Sustainability”. In this group, Gómez Bahamonde shared reflections with experts such as Stefanie Bischof, from The Hansa; Angelofabio Attolico, from the region of Apulia; and Peter Backes, from the European Route of Industrial Heritage, among others. The “Steps for LIFE” project presented was chosen as an example of good practice for the conservation of ecosystems and endangered species along the Camino de Santiago in Portugal and Spain.

Partnership agreement with Via Francigena

In the framework of the Training Academy, the European Federation of Saint James Way and the Via Francigena signed an important collaboration agreement. This agreement aims to encourage the joint promotion of both European cultural routes, thus reinforcing their presence and relevance in the cultural and touristic field at continental level.

These interventions at the Training Academy are testimony to the Federation’s commitment to the promotion and development of the cultural routes, and its prominent role in discussions and debates at European level. Once again, the EFSJW has reaffirmed its position as a relevant actor in the preservation and dissemination of Europe’s rich culture.

Training Academy 2024

The Training Academy, which took place in Brindisi, Italy, from 4 to 7 June 2024, is an initiative organised by the European Institute of Cultural Routes  and in its 2024 edition by the European Association of the Via Francigena Roads, with the support of the Puglia Region and the City of Brindisi.

The theme of this edition was “European cooperation and sustainable development”, and was attended by representatives of 39 of the 47 Cultural Routes certified by the Council of Europe. The conclusions of the meeting can be consulted on the website of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, highlighting their importance for the dissemination of European cultural routes.

The official season of the Saint James Way of Podillya (Camino Podolico) in Ukraine began on April 25. Pilgrims has already started walking and cycling the route, which has not officially functioned since 2022 due to Russian aggression.

Camino Podolico is a cultural and pilgrimage route from Vinnytsia to Kamianets-Podilskyi through the town of Bar, modeled after the Saint James Ways, which pass through the whole Europe. The route was launched in test mode thanks to the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in 2021 and become a member of the European Federation of Saint James Way in June 2023.

Due to the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the organizers were unable to open the official season, which was supposed to start in the spring of 2022, and postponed the launch indefinitely. The main reason was the large number of shellings and the overcrowding of temporary residences with internally displaced persons. But despite all the warnings, several dozens of people during these two years still went on hiking and cycling trips, getting to know the beauty and hospitality of Podillya. Organizers constantly received requests from those willing to walk the route, in particular, from veterans and family members of the military servicemen.

«Since the end of last year, we have been preparing for the full functioning of the route with all the necessary information support and infrastructure. Together with all the coordinators from the communities of the Camino Podolico Way we have managed to start the season from April 25, as it was originally intended. After all, a lot of people write to us that they plan to spend a vacation on the route as a small retreat for psychological recovery in war conditions», – says the director of the Department of City Marketing and Tourism of Vinnytsia City Council Oleksandr Vesheleni.

On the website www.caminopodolico.net, in the Route section, information about places where one can eat and stay for the night has already been updated: apartments, hotels, hostels, rural houses, etc. The organizers emphasize that accommodation must be booked in advance at all stops and a reserve should be sought in case of full occupancy of one or another establishment. Staying outdoors at night is prohibited due to curfew from midnight till 5:00 AM.

As for security issues, some general recommendations for the safety of pilgrims as well as the list of all the shelters in communities are available on the Camino Podolico website. The recommendations include: always have ID and pilgrim’s passport during walking; do not come close to or and take pictures of the regime facilities (such as air defence systems, hydroelectric power plants etc.); use the “Air alert” app to know if there’s any threats in the region; if there is an air raid – move to shelters and stay away from the glass.

Despite the difficulties, the Camino Podolico route has been successfully launched on April 25, and during the first month 26 people have already passed the route. In addition to that, this year Camino Podolico team is working on alternative branches and some continuations which will connect the route with other countries and marked sequences. A special highlight of this year is the route leading to the only functioning church and spring of St. James in Podillya region, which is located approximately 30 kilometres from Kamianets-Podilskyi in the village of Panivtsi of Ternopil oblast. On April 27-28 a first group consisting of 15 people walked along this part of the route and visited the villages of Zavallia, Panivtsi, Rykhta and Zhvanets. The participants found out some interesting facts about the history of each community and also visited a unique cave “Atlantis” in Zavallia. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Sunday holiday service in the Church of St. James in Panivtsi village, as well as the conversation with the abbot of the church – father Ihor, who has been serving there for more than 30 years.

This part of the route is currently being organized, and soon the official website www.caminopodolico.net will have detailed information on how to plan the new section of the Camino Podolico on foot or by bike.

Check out the image gallery of the Camino Podolico!