The event will take place in Romania on October 2nd, 3rd and 4th and aims to boost the development of local, regional, national and transnational tourism economies.
On September 25th, a new assembly of the European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations took place in Orihuela (Alicante). This European Network comprises the Italian Federico Secondo Foundation of Sicily, representing the municipalities of Palermo, Caltanissetta, and Trapani; the municipality of Birgu from Malta; the Holy Week celebrations in Braga, Portugal; and the Passion Plays in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. Representing the Andalusian route, Caminos de Pasión (Paths of Passion), are 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. Within Spain, the network also includes the Holy Week celebrations of Orihuela (Alicante), Lorca (Murcia), and Viveiro (Lugo). The creation of this network was promoted by the Caminos de Pasión association, which, in addition to presiding over the network, manages its technical work. Those present included the current president of the route and of the European network, Juan Pérez Guerrero; the mayor of Osuna, Rosario Andújar Torrejón, who will soon take over the presidency; and the route's manager, Encarnación Giráldez Cejudo.
The meeting addressed organizational matters related to the launch of this new network, including the selection of a brand image, registration with the national registry of associations, and the presentation of proposals for the work plan and actions of the scientific committee. Additionally, topics of interest such as the requirements for the application dossier for candidacy as a Council of Europe cultural route were discussed.
Heading to Romania
Thus, the new European network will be presented at the 9th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum, organized by the European Institute of Cultural Routes, which will take place in Sibiu, Romania, from October 2nd to 4th. This forum represents a further step in the Institute's efforts to gain recognition for this route at the European level. The aim of this forum is to create opportunities for cultural routes to continue capitalizing on the growing cultural tourism market, highlighting cultural heritage, traditions, experiences, and connections between different municipalities in Europe, as well as stimulating and supporting the development of local, regional, national, and transnational tourism economies.
Within this initial purpose, we can understand other related objectives, such as fostering creativity and innovation in the cultural sector, which can enhance the tourist experience or create opportunities for exchange, new forms of mobility, and intercultural dialogue in Europe. The European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations can undoubtedly be a leading resource in this endeavor, contributing ideas on how to implement this networking and explore the connections between the customs and traditions of each culture.
Also expected to attend this meeting are the current president of the Caminos de Pasión route, Juan Pérez Guerrero; the manager of the same, Encarnación Giráldez Cejudo; and the mayor of Osuna, Rosario Andújar Torrejón, who will be the next president and will take office this month.