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Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes | 34 Member States, 1 Observer State, 38 Cultural Routes
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Summer 2020 Newsletter

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Certification cycle 2020-2021: A record number of 16 new applications received
In the framework of the Certification Cycle 2020-2021, 16 Cultural Route networks applied for “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” certification, and 4 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe will undergo the process of regular evaluation.
Cultural Routes Database with Interactive Map now online
The Cultural Routes Database filters data by cross-searching information according to the various Cultural Routes, network member categories and by country. The interactive map allows to locate in Europe the members of the networks and the European heritage concerned.
Online Training Seminar for cultural routes applying for the certification "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe"
On 10-12 June, the Online Training Seminar served as an essential reference for representatives of cultural routes interested in applying for the “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” certification within the upcoming Certification Cycle 2020-2021.
France and Monaco: Live webinars - "Cultural Routes Dialogues: challenges and opportunities post Covid-19"
The third edition of the Cultural Routes Dialogues focused on Cultural Routes based or with a strong presence in France and Monaco.
Greece: Live webinars - "Cultural Routes Dialogues: challenges and opportunities post Covid-19"
The fourth edition of the Cultural Routes Dialogues focused on Cultural Routes based or with a strong presence in Greece.
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme presented at RURITAGE - Heritage for Rural Regeneration

On 8 July, the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme was presented at the RURITAGE Webinar “Thinking beyond the COVID-19 crisis: heritage-based opportunities for rural regeneration”.
From EPA Member States:
© Sulkhan Namicheishvili | Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia
Georgia: two new certified “Cultural Routes of Georgia” and Memorandum of Understanding with the National Tourism Administration

On June 18, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, in order to promote and develop cultural tourism. 
In the same event, the certification “Cultural Route of Georgia” was haded over to two new cultural routes: “St. Andrew Path” and “From Capital to Capital ”.
© Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment of Romania
Romania: the first Cultural Route certified by the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment

In the framework of the voluntary system for recognition of Cultural Routes (Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment of Romania, MEEMA) the “Route of the Wooden Churches in Bihor County” has been recognized as the first Cultural Route in Romania, on the initiative of the Bihor Destination Management Agency.
© Paul Hilbert / Visit Moselle Luxembourg
Luxembourg: two new network members join “Iter Vitis” and the “European Route of Historic Thermal Towns”

The Regional Tourist Office - Luxembourg Moselle Region acceded to the Iter Vitis European Federation, thus becoming the first member of Iter Vitis Route in Luxembourg, while the Municipality of Mondorf-les-Bains was welcomed as a new member of the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns in Luxembourg.
Armenia: Memorandum of Understanding with the Iter Vitis European Federation

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia and the Iter Vitis European Federation has been signed, representing the beginning of Iter Vitis activities in Armenia and a further development of “Iter Vitis Causasus” project.
Switzerland: Via Francigena travels along the Swiss path

On 27 July, Mr. Julien VUILLEUMIER, the representative of Switzerland (Swiss Federal Office of Culture) in the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA), joined the trip along the Swiss path of Via Francigena, between Romainmôtier and Cossonay (Canton of Vaud).
From the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies:
The Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN) joins the University Network on Cultural Routes Studies

The Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN) is the 14th academic institution to join the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies.
From the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe:
The Hansa: 40th Hanseatic Days
On 4-7 June, in close coordination with the Hansabüro in Lübeck, the city of Brilon (Germany) organised the 40th edition of the Hanseatic Days, this year completely virtual. The Hanseatic Days saw the participation of 93 hanseatic cities, and 1 new member from Great Britain (the town of Beverley).
TRANSROMANICA: 2020 activities
Over the last months, TRANSROMANICA has enhanced contents of the Cultural Route’s website and is developing its online activities through social media campaigns. Moreover, TRANSROMANICA is currently an official project partner in the HORIZON2020 project IMPACTOUR, devoted to create an innovative and easy-to-use methodology and tool to measure and assess the impact of Cultural Tourism.
Phoenicians’ Route and Iter Vitis Route: Intercultural dialogue in the Middle East with CROSSDEV Project

On 3 July, a cross-border agreement was signed between the partners of the ENICBC MED  project CROSSDEV and two Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe -  Iter Vitis Route and Phoenicians’ Route, which both have strong links with the intervention areas of the project.
Cultural Routes in the international press
EPA on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
European Institute of Cultural Routes
Abbaye de Neumünster, 28 rue Münster
L-2160 Luxembourg
Tel. +352 24 12 50

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