The Via Francigena meets on 12-13 dicember in Reims at the end of the year devoted to celebrate the XX anniversary of the mention of the Francigena Council of Europe Cultural Route.
The VIA FRANCIGENA is on a journey through Europe and in 1994 has celebrate the 20th anniversary of its acknowledgment by the Council of Europe as a Cultural Route (1994). Therefore this is an important stage as the Via Francigena project has become a substantial part of the initiatives of the Milan Expo 2015; as a result, this achievement will contribute to raise the visibility of the route on a worldwide scale.
The Via Francigena and the Council of Europe Cultural Routes strive for the ideals of peace, of tolerance and of dialogue and they contribute to build peoples’ Europe, a Europe that we ought to bring together through diversity.
The number of ramblers, pilgrims and hikers is significantly increasing, and associations as well as institutions are more and more committed to making the Via accessible through enhancement projects on a local, regional, national and international level. The Via Francigena is taking root more and more in the relevant territories (four Countries: England, France, Switezerland, Italy) through the reinforcement of an important and significant phenomenon of local cultural identity and the creation of new job opportunities in a sustainable economy.
On 12-13 december the city of Reims (Champagne-Ardenne) become the European capital of the Via Francigena: two-days of meetings among representatives of regions, local authorities, associations of pilgrims, universities and cultural/sustainable tourism stakeholders to promote the Via Francigena, in cooperation with the EAVF.
European Committee for Technical Interregional Coordination of the Via Francigena
The meeting among representatives of the European Committee for Technical Interregional Coordination of the Via Francigena will take place in the City Council (8:30-17:00) on Friday 12 December. The event is organised by the EAVF in cooperation with the City Council of Reims, the Tourism Departement of the Champagne-Ardenne Region andt the Via Francigena France Association.
Since 2012 has been supporting dialogue on a European scale among the 14 European regions of the Council of Europe cultural route of the Via Francigena, from Canterbury to Rome (Kent; Nord-Pas-de-Calais; Picardy; Champagne-Ardenne; Franche-Comté; Vaud; Valais; Aosta Valley; Piedmont; Lombardy; Emilia-Romagna; Liguria; Tuscany; Lazio). Moreover the 4 Italian regions south of Rome (Campania; Molise; Basilicata; Puglia) were also included in this process, in view of the application for the extension of the Council of Europe certification to the section Rome-Apulia (towards Jerusalem).
The Committee aims to facilitate coordinated and effective actions for the development of the route in each territory through a common European approach, the exchange of good practices, the achievement of shared solutions about the implementation of safety measures, the signage, hospitality and accommodation, joint events, coordinated information and communication, which will constitute the Euro Master Plan of the Via Francigena while assuring the transnational continuity necessary to keep the Council of Europe cultural route mention.The Committee established the working methodology for its realization, by means of three thematic working groups on Path, Accommodation and Services, Communication and Promotion
New launch of the Via Francigena and the European Cultural Routes magazine
The launch event of the latest issue of “Via Francigena and the European Cultural Roues” magazine is taking place on Saurday 13th December at the prestigious seat of the Reims City Council (Salle de Fetes). The issue offers an overview of the Via Francigena in the four relevant countries – England, France, Switzerland, Italy – and opens to the other Council of Europe Cultural Routes.
The trilingual magazine, rich in stunning pictures, includes interesting in-depth articles about the route, associations and events. The special is devoted to the city of Reims, the Champagne-Ardenne Region, the work of the Via Francigena France Association and other associations of pilgrims, the gastronomy and wine of territories.
Products from the local area of Reims – namely cured meats and wines – will be in the spotlight with Parmigiano-Reggiano at the tasting which usually follows the presentation. A way to discover the Via Francigena also through the flavours and superior quality food of the relevant territories.
An issue to keep, read and carefully leaf through
More info:
European Association Vie Francigene
Fidenza (Parma)
Italy
E-mail: segreteria@viefrancigene.org
Website: www.viefrancigene.org
Twitter: @AEVieFrancigene
Facebook: Associazione Europea Vie Francigene
Instagram: #VisitFrancigena
