Since 1987, the Council of Europe has awarded “Council of Europe Cultural Routes” to international networks that bring these routes to life by working together in an interdisciplinary way in the fields of (cultural) tourism, historical research, art and culture, civic and youth exchange.
A Council of Europe Cultural Route is a project of international cooperation in the fields of
- culture,
- education,
- heritage, and
- tourism,
that aims to create one or more itineraries based on
- historical routes,
- a cultural concept,
- a figure, or
- a phenomenon
of transnational significance for the understanding and
respect of common European values and
to raise awareness of a common European culture.
n 1987, at the suggestion of the Council of Europe, the Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela
Was inaugurated as the first European Cultural Route. Was inaugurated as the first European Cultural Route. There are now over 38 Council of Europe
.
The certification as “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” is a guarantee of quality. The networks realize innovative activities and projects in five fields of action:
- cooperation in research and development,
- strengthening awareness of European history and heritage,
- cultural and educational exchanges for young Europeans,
- contemporary art and culture, and
- cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development.
Through its programme, the Council of Europe provides a model for transnational cultural and tourism management and enables synergies between national, regional and local authorities, as well as a large number of associations and other socio-economic actors.
Goals and values of the Council of Europe
The Cultural Routes programme demonstrates, in the form of a journey through space and time, how the heritage of the different countries of Europe contributes to the common cultural heritage.
The Cultural Routes implement the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe:
- human rights,
- cultural democracy,
- cultural diversity and identity, and
- mutual exchange and enrichment across borders and centuries.
They act as platforms for intercultural dialogue and promote knowledge and understanding of a European cultural identity.
With the Cultural Routes Programme, the Council of Europe offers a guiding framework for cultural and tourism management.
The programme benefits from effective cooperation with the European Union and leading international organisations.
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme
https://www.coe.int/de/web/cultural-routes/about
The underlying official document is the:
die „Resolution CM/Res(2013)67 über die Kulturrouten des Europarates“
Revision of the rules for awarding the “Council of Europe Cultural Route” certification
(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on December 18th, 2013)
.