Vážení čtenáři,

Let us bring you information about the events brought about by the end of the year 2023 by the European Cultural Route of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

An exhibition on the Cyril and Methodius Route - the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe was opened on 6 December in Aquileia, Italy, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The opening of the exhibition took place on the occasion of a conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the UNESCO inscription of the Archaeological Area and Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia.

"A year ago we concluded a memorandum of cooperation with representatives of the city of Aquileia, the local foundation and the basilica in Modrá near Velehrad. The invitation to celebrate the anniversary of Aquileia's inscription on the UNESCO list and the opportunity to present an exhibition on the Cyril and Methodius Route are proof of our good relations and interest in active cooperation," said Lubomír Traub, Chair of the European Cultural Route of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region for strategic development, subsidies and tourism.

Ms Dana Daňová, Chair of the ECRSCM Managing Committee, and Mr Roberto Corciulo, President of the Aquileia Foundation, at the opening of an exhibition on the Cyril and Methodius Route in Aquileia, Italy.

An exhibition presenting the cultural route is on display in the Bishop's Palace opposite the Basilica. The exhibition has not yet been scheduled to end, but it is expected to move to Rome in the winter months. The opening of the indoor exhibition, consisting of twelve scrolling panels, was preceded by a presentation of the Cyril and Methodius Route at an international conference on the cultural and pilgrimage routes that pass through the site.

"Sts. Cyril and Methodius travelled through Aquileia in the early Middle Ages, which is why it is an important place on the Cyril and Methodius Route in Italy. It is the route to Rome, where St Cyril is buried. We have discussed with the city's representatives, for example, cooperation in tourism - next year, Czech cyclists and Slovak motorcyclists will be heading here," said Dana Daňová, Chair of the Managing Committee of the ECRSCM Association, who presented how the Cyril and Methodius Route benefits from international cooperation with other cultural routes such as Via Francigena, Via Romea Germanica or Via Romea Strata.

Presentation of the Cyril and Methodius Route at the International conference of cultural routes through the Italian city of Aquileia.

An interesting conference with international participation called "Cultural Routes in Slovakia" took place in Bratislava on 27 November. Its main objective was to launch a professional discussion on the importance of cultural routes in the context of European macro strategies. Using two examples of living certified cultural routes (the Phoenician Route, the Cyril and Methodius Route), the speakers presented ways of managing the development of cultural routes. In the conference contributions, participants learned more about the interpretation of cultural heritage through cultural routes, about stakeholders involvement and about benefits of cultural routes.

Link to the presentation and video recording: Conference Cultural Routes in Slovakia

Conference on cultural routes in Bratislava, Slovakia.

A student conference dedicated to the personalities and cultural legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 30 November-1 December, on the occasion of the 1160th anniversary of the beginning of the Cyrillo-Methodian mission.

A total of 40 schools from Thessaloniki, Bulgaria, Czechia and Slovakia took part in the event. It was organised by the City of Thessaloniki in cooperation with the ECRSCM Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and under the scientific supervision of the Cyril and Methodius Centre for the Study of Cultural Heritage. The conference was attended directly or indirectly by over 200 students and approximately 80 teachers.

At the end of the international conference, a resolution was unanimously adopted recognizing the importance and influence of the personalities and work of the two Thessalonian brothers and apostles. The resolution supported the renaming of the Central Library of the City of Thessaloniki as the Library of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Thanks to the organizers, teachers and sponsors who made this journey of discovery possible for the students. And to the students for their efforts and courage to perform in front of an international audience.

Ms Maria Tatagia, Director of the Thessaloniki History Centre, opens a student conference at Thessaloniki City Hall in Greece.

A travelling panel exhibition on the Cyril and Methodius Route - the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe is on display in the Moravian-Silesian Region in Czechia. It presents the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers, as well as the hiking trails and monuments in the region, in an engaging way through texts and photographs. After its presentation in Ostrava and Cvilín, it is now presented in Opava in the church of the Minorite Convent.

Travelling exhibition on its way in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Evropská kulturní cesta sv. Cyrila a Metoděje, I.A.L.E.

J. A. Bati 5520, 760 01 Zlín, Česká republika

Tel: +420 733 161 674

E-mail: info@cyril-methodius.eu

Web: www.cyril-methodius.eu

Evropská kulturní cesta sv. Cyrila a Metoděje is an interest association of legal entities based in the Czech Republic, founded in 2013. It promotes the living Cyrillo-Methodian legacy and values based on respect and dialogue between people of different cultures and faiths.  As a cultural tourism product, the Cyril and Methodius Route was awarded the title of a Council of Europe Cultural Route in 2021. The European Cultural Route of Sts. Cyril and Methodius is responsible for its management and marketing.