Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
w
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
Council of Europe Cultural routes also have a strong intercultural potential – which we are now seeking to optimise . The European Route of Jewish Heritage or the Legacy of Al-andalus which presents the contribution by the Arab world to Western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature are examples of routes which encourage mutual knowledge and recognition between different cultural components of our diverse societies. We will soon begin work on a Cultural Route of the Roma memory, a potentially pan-European undertaking, which we hope will add another dimension to political discourse and many social programmes for Roma integration.
On the base of these criteria we identified some cultural routes that are worth of a particular attention for the well balanced combination of the above mentioned criteria. Some of these cultural routes are here today to present their networks, their activities and, in particular, the ways in which their projects interact with enterprises (products, service contracts); and on the ways in which it would be possible to measure the impact of their initiatives on the SMEs creation, strengthening and clustering.
Al-Andalus means the land of the vandals in Arabic and is the name that was given to the part of the Iberian Peninsula which was occupied by the Muslims from the early 8th to the late 15th centuries. The occupiers consisted of groups and families of Arab nobles from the East and Berber tribes from North Africa. The arrival of the Muslims did not cause a complete break with the Hispanic culture that had grown up in these lands. In fact, the alliance of the two peoples was a remarkable one, clearly marking the distinction between the eastern and western branches of Islam. This long period produced a wealth of intellectual and physical assets. It was marked by an indispensable contribution by the Arab world to western Europe’s philosophy, sciences, arts and literature and even helped to disseminate Greek culture in its universities. It also had a lasting influence on regional planning and the development of agricultural technology, including improvements to irrigation techniques, the introduction of mulberry growing and silkworm rearing and a key contribution to the art of gardening. This period ended with the reconquest by the Catholic Kings. In 1492, after years of fighting with the Castilians and the Aragonese, King Boabdil, Abu Abd Allah, capitulated to the Catholic Kings and surrendered Granada. The organisers of the Legacy of Al-Andalus Cultural Route, which was initially launched as the cultural project of the Sierra Nevada Winter Olympic Games in 1996, have succeeded since in setting up physical European and African routes – eleven have been mapped out and signposted – highlighting the cities and heritage and landscape sites but also the writing and music which provide living testimony to this period during which Muslim culture contributed so much to Europe. These routes, spreading out on other side of the Mediterranean, provide a tangible input into the debate on the historical importance of inter-religious dialogue in forging European civilisation.
This route, dedicated to the symbol of the olive tree, will leave from Messinia on the 14th July 2008, to transfer the « Peace Flame » by motorbikes, across 16 countries, up to Beijing and Moscow, on the occasion of the 2008 Olympic Games.
As in the case of other mentioned cultural routes, The Via Regia developed a geographical information system based on an interactive map where old and current courses of the VIA REGIA are visible and clickable. The map allows the user to compose his individual tour, downloading information and detailed description about sites of interest, infrastructure, services and events.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.
Connecting to heritage gives people greater confidence in their identity and a feeling of belonging to a community. This principle is the foundational stone of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. The Council of Europe Cultural Routes also contribute to the propagation of a democratic concept of heritage. Industrial heritage; agricultural and lifestyle-related heritage are the basis for some of our cultural routes such as the European Iron Route and the Route of the Olive tree. Broad participation and membership in the routes networks is encouraged and the routes develop different tracks and strands following a multitude of grassroots initiatives. The Council of Europe’s focus is not on exceptional heritage but on the link between heritage and the community and on heritage as a resource for sustainable development.