On 25 September, Inspiring practices from the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe were recognised during the closing session of the 15th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
The selection process was carried out by the EPA Governing Board, and the certificates were presented by Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the EPA and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes.
This year, the EPA Governing Board distinguished six outstanding initiatives. These illustrate the diversity and richness of actions undertaken by the Cultural Routes, demonstrating their ability to transform heritage into a driver of international cooperation, sustainable development and community engagement.
For the field of action “Co-operation in Research and Development”:
ATRIUM, with the practice "Students as Heritage Mediators: International Experimental Labs for the Interpretation of Difficult Heritage"
This initiative brought together 50 Master’s students from five European universities to explore the reuse of heritage linked to difficult pasts, including war, dictatorships and ethnic conflicts. Through fieldwork, interviews and collaborative workshops, participants analysed contested heritage sites and developed proposals for their conservation, communication and adaptive reuse.
For the field of action “Enhancement of Memory, History, and European Culture”:
Impressionisms Routes, with the practice “Partnership with the National Gallery of Armenia”
The exhibition “Impressionist Colours and Light of Armenia”, a collaboration between the National Gallery of Armenia and the Impressionisms Route, presented 36 Armenian Impressionist paintings in Barbizon, France. Accompanied by an international conference in Yerevan and a publication on Armenian Impressionism, the initiative highlighted the historical ties between France and Armenia and the universal dimension of Impressionism.
For the field of action “Cultural and Educational Exchanges for Young Europeans”:
Reseau Art Nouveau Network, with the practice "Summer School — Bringing Art Nouveau Heritage Back to Life"
The Réseau Art Nouveau Network Summer School brought together 85 students and young professionals to strengthen their skills in the conservation and restoration of Art Nouveau heritage. Held simultaneously in three European cities, it promoted a transnational approach to heritage, European cooperation, cultural diversity, youth participation and regional networking.
European Cemeteries Route, with the practice "Life Lessons — Cemeteries as Educational Heritage"
This initiative transformed European cemeteries into dynamic spaces for lifelong learning and youth engagement during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC 2026) and the Annual Conference of the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe in Turin.
For the field of action “Contemporary Cultural and Artistic Practice”:
Iron Age Danube Route, with the practice "Situlae Festival — Iron Age Heritage in Contemporary Craft and Art"
The Situlae Festival in Slovenia brings the Hallstatt period to life through costumed interpretation, traditional crafts and hands-on activities. Artisans demonstrate techniques inspired by Iron Age heritage and situla art, while visitors of all ages can take part in workshops ranging from making miniature situlae to forming glass beads.
For the field of action “Cultural Tourism and Sustainable Cultural Development”:
Via Francigena, with the practice "DETOUR: Developing Resilient Tourism Ecosystems Along Mediterranean Routes"
The DETOUR project supports the sustainable and resilient development of tourism and cultural SMEs along four walking routes, including Via Francigena. Its training platform offers six flexible learning modules (30 hours) to help SMEs and local stakeholders strengthen their skills in green, digital and inclusive tourism development.
