Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

Tatjana Horvatić Ministry of Culture and Media, Croatia

t he c ouncil o F e uro P e launched the Cultural Routes program of the Council of Europe in 1987 with the aim of presenting the common cultural heritage, understanding the European cultural identity better and shaping the common cultural space.

In addition to the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, the program promotes sustainable development, encourages education and cultural exchange, and by enriching the cultural tourism offer, it promotes less attractive and little-known destinations by supporting their cultural, social and economic development.

Cultural routes support the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe: human rights, democracy, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.

Each route represents European values that are common to at least three countries, and as a result of scientific research by a multidisciplinary team of experts from different European regions, it contributes to the interpretation of the diversity of contemporary Europe by portraying European memory, history, heritage and identity.

In 2010, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes (EPA) to enable better cooperation between member states. The EPA Governing Board is responsible for the adoption of the Council of Europe Cultural Route certificates, which is a proof and guarantee of excellence. Under the auspices of the Council of Europe, cultural routes are managed by the European Institute for Cultural Routes in Luxembourg. The Governing Board consists of representatives of the member states from the ministries competent for culture and/or tourism, whereby one representative of each state has the right to vote. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the European Commission, UNWTO (World Tourism Organization), UNESCO and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) participate in its work.

Since the Council of Europe proposed the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Route to become the first cultural route in 1987, a total of 48 Council of Europe cultural routes have been certified to date.

The certification “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” is a guarantee of excellence. The networks implement innovative activities and projects pertaining to five main priority fields of action: co-operation in research and development; enhancement of memory, history and European heritage; cultural and educational exchanges for young Europeans; contemporary cultural and artistic practice; cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development.

Through its program, the Council of Europe offers a model for transnational cultural and tourism management and allows synergies between national, regional and local authorities and a wide range of associations and socio-economic actors.