Application for certification
(2021-2022 cycle)

Each year, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) awards the certification "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" to cultural route network applicants fulfilling the criteria set out in Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Resolution CM/Res(2013)67.

7 candidate networks to the "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" certification were subject to evaluation in the framework of the 2021-2022 Certification Cycle:

 

 

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Responsible Network: The Chocolate Way - Ethical, cultural and sustainable legacy of Cocoa in Europe

Website: http://www.thechocolateway.eu/

Headquarters: Largo Cacciatori Delle Alpi, 42 IT-06121 Perugia, Italy

President and Manager : Antonino Scivoletto


The Chocolate Way is the first international network that celebrates the culture, tradition, and history of chocolate in Europe. Its aim is to connect areas of high-quality chocolate, rediscover and promote the traditions relating to chocolate and to support ethical practises in the chocolate supply chain. 

 

The theme of chocolate plays an important part in European cultural heritage. Chocolate making traditions merge with the history of many European countries as well as form links with other continents. The gastronomic experience of this route guarantees a particular experience of tourism, promoting emotional involvement and an increase in knowledge.  


Countries involved in the Network: 20 members in 9 countries: Azerbaijan (1), Croatia (1), France (1), Germany (1) Israel (1), Italy (11), Spain (2) Switzerland (1) United Kingdom (1). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].   

 

 

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Responsible Network: Cultural Tourist Association Women Writers Route

Website:  https://www.womenwriters.eu/

Headquarters: Cesta 27. aprila 47 SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

President: Andreja Rihter

Manager: Mateja Jančar


The Women Writer’s Route reveals the outstanding life stories of women writers at the turn of the 19th and 20th century. It showcases their creativity and links symbolic and physical points in their lives. It tells the story of a time when women were entering cultural and social spaces in greater numbers and remembers the struggle for equality and human rights. 

The route balances between tangible and intangible heritage, linking museums, reading rooms, monuments, lectures, events, and other public spaces. It is dedicated to making sure that overlooked or forgotten women writers are remembered via numerous memorial places. 


Countries involved in the Network: 24 members in 7 countries: Bulgaria (2), Croatia (3), Poland (4), Portugal (1), Russian Federation (2), Serbia (1), Slovenia (11). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].

 

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Responsible Network: European Fairy Tale Route Association

Website: https://www.europeanfairytaleroute.eu/

Headquarters: Via B.Pasquinelli 6 IT-51012 Collodi, Italy

President: Marina D'Amato

Manager: Alberto D'Alessandro


The European Fairy Tale Route is an itinerary that focuses on tangible and intangible heritage based on fairy tales, authors, and oral traditions. It is a route that promotes education and common values, being a strong tool to improve cultural democracy and dialogue. 

The network is unique in that many stories are shared between European people and have common backgrounds. These stories have entered the collective imagination and culture of European nations and the route helps the visitor explore this through amusement parks and literary culture.


Countries involved in the Network: 10 members in 8 countries: Croatia (1), Cyprus (1), Germany (2), Greece (1), Ireland (1), Italy (1), Lithuania (1), Switzerland (2) [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].

 

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Responsible Network: Association of Specialists in the Field of Cultural Routes “Holy Places of Undivided Christianity”

Website:  http://travelholyplaces.org/en/home

Headquarters: Nikoloyamskaya st.,1 RUS-109240, Moscow, Russian Federation

President: Miguel Palacio

Manager: Elena Solntseva


The Holy Places of Undivided Christianity is a network that promotes human freedom, protection of rights, access to self-expression and remembers and preserve the values of common Christian heritage. The idea for the network was born after the meeting of the Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow in Havana in 2016, which was a turning point in relations between two major Christian Churches. 

The network promotes united Christian heritage through the main cultural and religious sites of Europe, as well as through books, churches, manuscript collections, museums concerning the history of Church before the schism, life, and veneration of common Christian saints as well as other historical figures who played a role in the rapprochement between Christian branches. 


Countries involved in the Network: 25 members in 6 countries: Poland (1), Russian Federation (20), Serbia (1), Slovak Republic (1), Slovenia (1), Spain (1). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].

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Responsible Network: European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations

Websitehttps://www.holyweekeurope.com/en/european-network-of-holy-week-and-easter-celebrations/

Headquarters: Museo de Osuna. C/Sevilla, 37 E-41540 Osuna, Spain

President: Rosario Andújar

Manager: Encarnación Giráldez


The European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations promotes two of the most relevant festivities in the Christian calendar, bringing together rituals and traditions found all over Europe, representing heritage that has adapted and evolved over time. They bring together a variety of artistic forms of cultural relevance such as music, architecture, and gastronomy. 

Holy Week celebrations bring thousands of visitors each year to towns that hold them, with each area having its own unique celebrations that are nevertheless underlined by common values. This contributes to sustainable and grass roots tourism. The network promotes dialogue between religious confessions and cultural diversity, as well as access to cultural heritage for all. 


Countries involved in the Network: 8 members in 5 countries: Italy (1), Malta (1), Portugal (1), Slovenia (1), Spain (4) [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].

 
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Responsible Network: “In the footsteps of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the nations - Cultural Route"

Website: https://www.stpaul-culturalroute.eu/  

Headquarters: Vasilissis Olgas 198 GR-54655 Thessaloniki, Greece

President : Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Manager: Emmanouil Vougioukas


In the footsteps of St. Paul, the Apostle of the nations – Cultural Route is a network that highlights the cultural heritage values and the unique and rich legacy of Apostle Paul’s missions to Europe. It offers unique heritage in visual arts, literature, history, philosophy, and theology. It represents both Christian and European values of freedom, dignity, human rights, and the rule of law. 

The network aims to promote sustainable tourism development. Travellers can discover parts of St. Paul’s journeys in the walking trails of Greece, Cyprus and Italy, as well as a multitude of sites where St. Paul preached. 


Countries involved in the Network: 4 members in 4 countries: Belgium (1), Cyprus (1), Greece (1), Italy (1) [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].

 

 
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Responsible Network: Historic Cafés Association

Website: https://www.ehica.eu/home-2/

Headquarters: Eleftheriou Venizelou 4, Τ.Κ. 73132, Chania, Crete, Greece

President: Vasilis Stathakis

Manager: -


The Historic Cafés Route is a network that showcases the history and traditions associated with cafes, that were places that brought together men and women, minorities, artists, writers, politicians and served as spaces for social gathering and interaction. Many were linked to important events and meetings in European history. 

The Route starts in Greece and passes through other countries to highlight both the common heritage and differences between them. Historic cafes are a European phenomenon, often linked to fascinating architecture, and tell stories of equality, inclusivity, and democracy.


Countries involved in the Network: 62 members in 15 countries: Austria (10), Belgium (2), Czech Republic (3), Denmark (1), France (1), Greece (8), Hungary (3), Italy (6), Malta (1), Portugal (13), Romania (3), Slovakia (1), Spain (8), Switzerland (1), Turkey (1). [As per information submitted by the network in July 2021].