Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Georgia

Abstract

1. Creation of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as a Result of European Integration
The architect of the European integration project, Robert Schuman (1886-1963), in collaboration with Jean Monnet, developed the internationally known „Schuman Declaration,” which was published on May 9, 1950. This marks the birthdate of the European Union. His work aimed at increasing cooperation within the Western alliance and uniting Europe. The Council of Europe, established in 1949, determines the policy for implementing programs. It is the oldest international organization in Europe and encompasses the entire continent. 47 member states collaborate to „defend the ideals and principles that are their shared heritage and promote economic and social progress” (1949 Statute).
The Cultural Routes program of the Council of Europe, a result of the development of this idea that has played a significant role in the development of tourism in Europe, began in 1987. The Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes, signed in 2010, is based on the guiding principles of the Council of Europe’s policies, defining the program’s strategy, and issuing the „Council of Europe Cultural Route” certificate.
2. Georgia’s Joining the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as a Significant Event on the Path of European Integration
Georgia became a member of the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in 2016 and is particularly active in promoting the program. The country established its own board for the strategic development and certification of Georgian cultural routes, an advisory body under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth to support the development of local cultural routes. In 2021, the 10th annual consultative forum dedicated to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe was held online in the country. It was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Georgia, along with the Kutaisi Municipality.
3. Seeking New Routes and Georgia’s Prospects for Closer Relations with the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
In 1984, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation 987 (1984) on European pilgrimage routes and called on the Committee of Ministers to revive these routes, beginning with the European paths leading to Santiago de Compostela. The Santiago de Compostela Declaration of October 1987 made this route a model for future projects. Cultural routes are created based on various criteria in countries that share a common heritage or where historical routes once passed.
The report proposes a new initiative: considering the Santiago de Compostela Declaration, to create a land and sea cultural pilgrimage route: „The Route of Anthim the Iberian,” who was a religious and political figure, educator, printer, and writer in Romania. Under his leadership, more than 20 churches and monasteries were built in Wallachia. In 1992, the Romanian Church canonized Anthim the Iberian, and his commemoration day was established as September 14 (27), the day of his passing.