The European Institute of Cultural Routes, technical agency of the Program “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe”, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018.

The event organized at the end of May is intended to be part of this celebration. Launched by the Council of Europe in 1987, the Cultural Routes demonstrate, through the journey through time and space, that the heritage of different European countries contributes to the common cultural heritage.

The Routes are the local networks that implement the fundamental values ​​of the Council of Europe: human rights, cultural democracy, diversity and cultural identity, exchanges and mutual enrichment across borders and centuries. They act as bridges for intercultural dialogue and the promotion of a better knowledge and understanding of the history of European identity.

The event, which takes place at the Cultural Center of the Neumünster Abbey, welcomes the ambassadors of the 47 Council of Europe member states (Representatives in Strasbourg) and the European Association of the Vie Francigene with the president Massimo Tedeschi and Luca Faravelli (staff).

A conference dedicated to the program of the Cultural Routes and the last 20 years of the Institute is held on 31 May 2018 and brings together representatives of the Certified Cultural Routes, Network for Cultural Routes Studies, users of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and international experts in the fields of culture, heritage and tourism.

As part of the celebration, an exhibition is organized and open to the general public on 1 June 2018, highlighting the European cultural heritage along the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.