On 7 October, the Award Ceremony “Best Practices of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe” was celebrated in Chania (Crete), Greece. The ceremony took place in the framework of the closing ceremony of the 11th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum, awarded by the EPA Governing Board and presented by Mr. Julien VUILLEUMIER (Switzerland), Chair of the EPA Governing Board. Several best practices of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe to promote Europe's common cultural heritage and the activities of the Cultural Routes were presented and five of them received a special award:

• In the Footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson: Scientific partnership convention

Academics and researchers from all over the world meet every two years to deepen their knowledge of the life and work of R.L. Stevenson. The Cultural Route joined them in Bordeaux on 16 - 17 June 2022 to present the approach of a literary Cultural Route of the Council of Europe dedicated to the author. They also set up a 15-panel exhibition in English: "Journey with Stevenson". The convention led to the promise of signing a scientific partnership agreement.

• European Cemeteries Route: Schools in cemeteries

Since 2011, the European Cemeteries Route proposes to use the cemetery as a classroom and library for a variety of subjects (history, biology, arts, music, ecology, mathematics including more technical activities such as restoration practices). Schools require various cultural programmes to help children learn about the society and culture. And cemeteries can offer an unexpected yet powerful experience.
This year the project “Schools in Cemeteries” connected with the project “Week of Discovering European Cemeteries” being promoted through a larger organisation, the “Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe”.

• European Route of Industrial Heritage: Work it out

The dance event "WORK it OUT" premiered in 2018 as ERIH's main contribution to celebrate the European Year of Cultural Heritage. It is aimed primarily at young people (children, teenagers and young adults from school classes, sports clubs, dance and fitness studios, etc.). Through the event, people can experience industrial heritage and its sites and discover its importance in their own past, its relevance for their present and its future potential. On the day of the event the dance took place in front of, in and even on impressive industrial heritage sites throughout Europe. The 5th edition was successfully completed on 25 locations, in 10 countries and with approx. 2.000 dancers.

• European Route of Historic Thermal Towns: Thermal Travels promotional campaign

In July 2022, “Thermal Travels - Immerse Yourself in the Spa Culture of Europe” took place as a co-funded B2C awareness-raising campaign with the European Travel Commission (VisitEurope), with the Great Spa Towns of Europe as a partner to the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns. Elements of the campaign included among others: A new landing page -www.thermaltravels.com; partnership with a tour-operator; 2 social media campaigns with an agency based in the UK an one in North America and Canada; new video clips in English, French and German; press trips for 3 US-journalists who visited France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic and Greece, which resulted in articles in major US publications, including VOGUE.com and new campaign key visuals.

• VIA REGIA: TExTOUR

TExTOUR is an EU-funded project from 2020-2024 which co-designs pioneering and sustainable cultural tourism strategies and policies. The ultimate goal is to improve deprived areas in Europe and beyond. To do this, it sets up Cultural Tourism Labs at eight pilot locations within the EU and beyond. VIA REGIA has one pilot location through its members in the Ukraine. During the war, they developed a new strategy for cultural tourism for the Rivne region in Western Ukraine. Stakeholders on location define through means of collaborative workshops new ways to develop their country.

A photo gallery of the 11th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum 2022 and the Best practices award ceremony is available here.