Chania, Crete, to Host Council of Europe’s 11th Cultural Routes Advisory Forum

The Council of Europe will hold its 11th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum during October 5-7 in the city of Chania on the Greek island of Crete.

Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Council’s Cultural Routes program, the forum will highlight the relevance of Cultural Routes for the promotion of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and sustainable tourism.

The forum will take place at the Minoa Palace Hotel under the theme “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Safeguarding European Values, Heritage, and Dialogue”.

The program of the 11th Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum will include general panels with discussion, thematic and special sessions and certification ceremonies for newly 2022 certified “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe”.

Photo source: The Routes of the Olive Tree

Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge will participate in the high-level dialogue, together with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Vice-President and Chairperson of the Greek Delegation Dora Bakoyannis and Chair of the Statutory Committee of Cultural Routes Ambassador Patrick Engelberg (Luxembourg).

An invitation-only event, participants range from managers among the existing cultural routes to representatives of national ministries, International Organizations, academics, experts and tourism professionals.

Further information and a preliminary version of the program can be found here.

The Garden Café in Chania – part of the Historic Cafés Route. Photo scource: Garden Café

The forum will be organized by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and the European Institute of Cultural Route in co-operation with the Greek Culture Ministry, the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Chania, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Chania, and the Historic Cafes Route.

Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

Launched in 1987, the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe program aims to showcase the different contributions of countries and cultures of Europe to a common heritage, by means of a journey through space and time.

The program acts as a channel for intercultural dialogue and promotes better knowledge and understanding of European cultural identity while preserving and enhancing natural and cultural heritage.

Today, 48 cultural routes exist, going through more than 60 countries, emphasizing European richness in architecture, landscape, culture, society and religion.

Source: Council of Europe