A workshop on the development of European cultural routes was held in Vinnytsia, Ukraine

On October 24-25, Vinnytsia hosted a workshop on “European Cultural Routes: the path to sustainable development of Ukrainian heritage,” attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytsky Regional Administrations, more than two dozen communities from five regions, historical reserves, museums, and NGOs. Among the invitees were also ceramists, scientists, and managers of “The Way of the Foremother” cluster. The participants were united by an important goal: to integrate existing and new initiatives for the preservation and promotion of heritage in Ukraine into the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe program.

The workshop was organized by the Department of City Marketing and Tourism of Vinnytsia City Council, the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Economic Development of Vinnytsia Regional Administration, and the Vinnytsia Regional Development Agency. The first day of the event was hosted by the art space “Ethno Chary”, the second day, dedicated to the development of Saint James Ways in Ukraine, was held at the Visit Vinnytsia Tourism Hub.

The workshop was moderated by Oleksandr Vesheleni, Director of the Department of City Marketing and Tourism. He introduced the participants to the Cultural Routes program and outlined the goals for working in thematic groups to develop common ideas for preserving and promoting cultural heritage and reaching the international level of recognition.

The guests were greeted by Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia Andrii Ocheretnyi, who was elected this year as Vice President of the European Federation of Saint James Way. He emphasized that Ukraine has been fighting for its identity during all these years of war with the Russian occupiers. This fight is impossible without representatives of the cultural and creative industries, as well as tourism. He reminded that Ukrainians have long been a part of Europe and rightfully so. And one of the proofs of this is the Camino Podolico cultural and pilgrimage route.

“Together we are developing this wonderful route, which is already well-known in Europe, – said Andrii Ocheretnyi. – The Saint James Way of Podillya is part our identity, our culture, our opportunity to join the great European heritage. Almost 500 pilgrims have already walked this path, and it is very pleasant that there were some foreigners among them. This is our joint success! Today, the Camino Podolico is more than 250 kilometers that unite many communities. And we plan to continue this path: from Chortkiv to Lviv and further to the EU border. Our recent visit to Spain with colleagues confirmed the direct interest of communities in this”.

Stefano Dominioni, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, Director of the European Institute for Cultural Routes, welcomed the participants as well. He noted that “the rich cultural tapestry of Ukraine is an integral part of the common European history” and that the Council of Europe strongly encourages Ukraine using all available resources to support its initiatives, as well as to hold the Russian Federation accountable.

“Our organization is dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage and is committed to its core values which promote democracy and human dignity. At the fourth Council of Europe summit in May 2023, 46 heads of state established a register of damage caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, documenting the impact of the aggression, including the loss of cultural heritage. This initiative is a crucial step towards compensation and the application of the international law. We recognize and appreciate the efforts of your communities in developing heritage projects that embody our shared values. Cultural routes offer a valuable framework for enhancing European cooperation, providing access to a network of diverse stakeholders united by the common goal of preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage. Interest in Ukraine’s history and identity is at its unprecedented levels. Awareness of Ukraine’s cultural richness and its contribution to Europe has never been more pronounced”, – said Stefano Dominioni.

During the opening of the event, a protocol of accession to the Memorandum of Cooperation for the development and popularization of Saint James Way in Ukraine was signed by Zhmerynka City Council, “Association of Cultural and Art Centers Via Regia Ukraine” NGO and the newly created “Association of Friends of Saint James Way in Ukraine” NGO.

During the practical session of the workshop, participants were divided into thematic groups to develop roadmaps for improving existing routes and creating new ones. In particular, 5 areas were identified:

• Developing the Camino Podolico route from Vinnytsia to Kamianets-Podilskyi and Zavallia.
• Developing a new branch Camino Galitziano from Chortkiv to Lviv.
• Creating a route of Podillya ceramics (with the prospect of joining the European Route of Ceramics).
• Creating a route of Podillya Jewish heritage (with the prospect of joining the European Routes of Jewish Heritage).
• Creating a cross-border route about the archaeological culture of Cucuteni-Trypillia (Romania, Moldova, Ukraine) with the prospect of certification of a new route by the Council of Europe.

The developed roadmaps will be finalized by the end of November and will be actively implemented as early as 2025, in particular by writing and submitting grant applications to European programs.

The next day, an online presentation of the activities of the Associations of Friends of the Saint James Way in Europe was held: the president of the European Federation of Associations of Friends of the Saint James Way Camino Europa Compostela Jorge Martinez-Cava, the head of Belgian Association of Friends of Saint James Way Pascal Duchêne, secretary of the Confraternity of Saint James Way in Croatia Vedran Prazen and Vice-President of Romanian Association of Friends of Saint James Way Gabriela Greu spoke about their many years of experience and successes. All of them expressed interest in establishing cooperation with Ukraine.

Local Camino activists led by Vladyslav Pidhaiets presented the newly formed Association of Friends of Saint James Way in Ukraine, which was recently registered in Vinnytsia and is expanding its activities throughout Ukraine. Its mission is to popularize and develop the pilgrimage route in Ukraine, preserve cultural heritage, support pilgrims, develop infrastructure, and promote international cooperation. Those interested in joining the work of the Association can contact its Board by e-mail [email protected].