Led by the Andalusian route Caminos de Pasión, the new network begins its journey with partners from Spain, Portugal, Malta, Slovenia and Italy
On March 18th, the assembly that brought together representatives from Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Malta, and Portugal for the second time took place at the Palácio do Rayo in Braga. A total of nine organizations, each with its own unique Holy Week and Easter ceremonies, participated in the meeting. This occasion served to solidify the project with the creation of a new association. This association aims to promote European Holy Week and Easter traditions and aspires to submit its candidacy as a Cultural Route to the Institute of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.
During the working session, several important points were discussed and approved that will shape the functioning and activities of this organization. These included the signing of the network's founding charter, the election of the Board of Directors, the creation of the Scientific Committee, the approval of its work plan and funding, and the organization of its activities for the preparation and submission of its application to become a European Cultural Route.
About the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe's Cultural Routes program was launched in 1987 by the Council of Europe in order to demonstrate, through travel in space and time, how Europe's cultural heritage is articulated across its borders.
A European cultural itinerary is a route that covers countries and regions and is organized around a common theme, whose history, artistic or cultural interest is clearly European, whether due to its geographical location or its content and meaning.
About the "European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations"
The European network of Holy Week and Easter celebrations is formed as a non-profit association, open to all religions and beliefs that commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and whose cultural heritage is a point of reference in their respective regions and/or countries.
The Association aims to bring together efforts and leverage synergies in consolidating a model for the conservation and dissemination of the tangible and intangible heritage of Holy Week and Easter, while promoting these expressions, from the different members and geographical areas involved, as quality tourist destinations.
This association was founded by partners and municipalities that promote and highlight the representation of these emblematic traditions and festivals at a European level. The founding partners are: the Italian Federico Secondo Foundation of Sicily, representing the municipalities of Palermo, Caltanissetta, and Trapani; the municipalities of Birgu and Hal-Qormi, representing Malta; the Holy Week celebrations in Braga, Portugal; and the Passion Plays in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. From the Andalusian route, Caminos de Pasión (Paths of Passion), the Holy Week celebrations of the municipalities of Alcalá la Real in Jaén; Baena, Cabra, Lucena, Priego de Córdoba, and Puente Genil in the province of Córdoba; and Carmona, Écija, Osuna, and Utrera in the province of Seville are represented. Within Spain, the Holy Week celebrations of Orihuela (Alicante), Lorca (Murcia), and Viveiro (Lugo) are also part of the network.
Reasons for the candidacy
This Cultural Route project is a formidable opportunity and a platform to disseminate and publicize the heritage related to the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter, giving it visibility at a European and even global level.