On 6 June, Representatives of the European Association Via Francigena ways and the Cyril and Methodius Route signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
The ceremony took place at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Rome, in the presence of the Ambassador H. E. Hana HUBÁČKOVÁ; the Councillor for Mobility Policies of the Municipality of Rome, Mr. Eugenio PATANÈ ; the Vice-Governor of the Zlín Region and President of the Cyril and Methodius Route, Mr Lubomír TRAUB; the President of the Via Francigena, Mr. Massimo TEDESCHI, other Representatives of the two associations, the Municipality of Rome, the Region of Zlín and Mr. Silvio MARINO for the Region of Lazio.
The Memorandum of Cooperation aims to offer cultural tourism alternatives along both routes, while creating development and marketing projects. Targeted programs are also underway to mark out parallel sections of both routes, for example between Tuscany and Rome, where the tomb of St Cyril is located.
“The Via Francigena serves to develop a dialogue between Anglo-Saxon and Mediterranean Europe. With this act we integrate Western Europe with Eastern Europe. Thus we can develop a dialogue throughout Europe, which is why this signature is so important“, said EAVF’s President Mr. Massimo TEDESCHI.
The Via Francigena is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 1994 and the oldest and most important medieval pilgrimage route connecting Northwestern Europe with the Italian peninsula and in particular with Rome. Travellers can rediscover this 3200 km journey from Canterbury through England, France, Switzerland and Italy along the ancient paths en route to Rome, and then onward to Santa Maria di Leuca. The Route currently crosses 4 countries and is represented by Mr. Massimo TEDESCHI, President, Mr. Luca BRUSCHI, Director and Ms. Elena DUBININA, Manager.
The Cyril and Methodius Route is a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2021 and composed of a set of trails and cultural heritage sites focused on travelling in the footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers. It connects places, heritage sites, cultural institutions, academic centres and other tourist attractions across 7500 km. The Route currently crosses 6 countries and is represented by Mr. Lubomír TRAUB, President and Ms. Zuzana VOJTOVÁ, Director and Ms. Martina JANOCHOVÁ and Mr. Martin PETERKA, Managers.
