From 19th to 21st March 2025, an extraordinary intercultural experience will take place as part of the Erasmus Young Pilgrims Programme at Calendasco School. This programme is part of the PNRR Transitare project, Cultural Landscapes (2022-2026), a three-year initiative funded by the European Union aimed at regenerating the villages of Calendasco and Berceto along the Via Francigena in Emilia-Romagna. The goal is to foster sustainable tourism and a social economy, while enhancing extraordinary places such as the Guado di Sigerico and the Passo della Cisa. The project includes eleven interventions, including the restoration of buildings and, as in this case, cultural activities, to encourage ecological, cultural, and economic transition in local communities and promote intercultural dialogue among young people from different nations.
The Programme
The Italian delegation will arrive in Champlitte on 19th March, where they will begin their visit to the town by participating in the Explor Game “Sigéric”. Following this, a meeting will take place at the Town Hall with Mayor Patrice Colinet, Deputy Mayor Martine Gautheron, and local authorities, together with students and representatives from Calendasco, providing an opportunity for discussion and socialising, followed by an aperitif offered by the Town Hall.
On the following day, the students will visit the college in Dampierre-sur-Salon, where they will engage in discussions with their French peers on topics related to the Via Francigena. The visit will then continue with a walk along the historical route, including a visit to the village of Montot. In the afternoon, the group will gather at the Musée Départemental des Arts & Techniques for a group activity.
On Friday, 21st March, the delegation will depart for Besançon, the capital of the Doubs department, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city, where they will have the opportunity to explore the historic centre. The experience will conclude with their return to Italy in the afternoon, marking the end of this intense and meaningful cultural exchange.
A Project Looking to the Future
This initiative, which involves schools and young people, is a tangible example of how the PNRR Transitare project is working to create a network of cultural exchanges along the Via Francigena, aiming to raise awareness among the younger generations about the historical and cultural roots of this path. The collaboration between the schools of Champlitte and Dampierre, two small towns along the Via Francigena, is a model that it would be desirable to replicate in the future, ensuring that future generations continue to discover and enhance this shared heritage.
Champlitte: A Key Location Along the Via Francigena
Champlitte continues to be a particularly active community in promoting the Via Francigena, gradually becoming a key reference point for the entire French network. Thanks to its ongoing commitment, this community has been able to develop an important connection between French and Italian territories, fostering a network of cultural and social exchanges.
The Participation of EAVF
The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) will actively participate in this project, showing a strong commitment to initiatives that connect small local communities and schools. The event will be attended by President Francesco Ferrari and Project Manager Luca Faravelli, who will personally follow the progress of the activities, emphasising the importance of these exchanges for the enhancement and promotion of the Via Francigena path.
This three-day event represents a unique opportunity for young students from Calendasco and their French counterparts to engage in a cultural growth experience, encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding, with a forward-looking perspective on the future of the Via Francigena and its pathways that connect people and cultures.
