The 13th Annual Advisory Forum on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe takes place from 25-27 September in Visegrád, Hungary, focusing on “Transmission and innovation: Fostering youth participation along the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe”.
It is organized by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) in collaboration with the European Institute of Cultural Routes, the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, and the Hungarian Open Air Museum.
Visegrád, located about 40 kilometers north of Budapest along the Danube River, attracts global visitors due to its well-preserved medieval architecture and rich cultural history.
The programme features a series of general panels accompanied by discussions, thematic and special sessions, a welcoming ceremony for the newly admitted member State of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, a certification ceremony for the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe that have received certification in 2024, and awards recognizing best practices of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe aimed at youth engagement.
The Forum will be opened by Mr. Dénes EŐRY, Mayor of the Municipality of Visegrád; Mr. Balázs HANKÓ, Minister of Culture and Innovation, Hungary and Ms. Meltem ÖNHON (Türkiye), Chair of the EPA Governing Board.
The Forum programme includes a High-level Dialogue, moderated by Ms. Irena GUIDIKOVA, Head of Democratic Institutions and Freedoms Department of the Council of Europe, and with the participation of: Mr. Máté VINCZE, Deputy State Secretary for Public Collections and Cultural Development of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary; Mr. Bálint MOLNÁR, Executive Director of the European Youth Centre Budapest of the Council of Europe; Ms. Liliya ELENKOVA, Advisor to the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria, Vice-Chair European Steering Committee for Youth, Chair of the EPA Governing Board and Dr. Gábor SOÓS, Secretary General of the Hungarian National Commission for the UNESCO.
Over the course of three days, participants at the Forum, which includes representatives from Council of Europe member States as well as cultural heritage scholars and practitioners, are examining a wide range of strategies and initiatives aimed at increasing youth involvement along the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. This Forum will offer a comprehensive overview of existing initiatives, showcasing successful projects and pinpointing the essential elements that lead to their effectiveness.
