Three new “Stop & Taste” spots are now open where pilgrims can have a taste of delicious Parmigiano Reggiano thanks to an agreement between the European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF), the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano and the Official Via Francigena Magazine emitted by editor Studio Guidotti.

We may hypothesise that Sigeric, archbishop who travelled between Rome and Canterbury in 990 a.d. describing his 79 itinerary stages in a diary – now base for the development of the route of the Francigena – had a chance to taste one of the earliest forms of Parmigiano Reggiano during his passage in the province of Parma.

This leads to the idea that modern pilgrims should have an experiential visit along the Via Francigena, devoted to the discovery of Parmigiano Reggiano. The title “Stop & Taste” already underlines the nature and the intention of the project: pilgrims are now able to stop at locations that take part in the initiative and taste this product, discover its characteristics, such as various aging techniques, and explore the variety of production sites spread across the thirteen municipalities in the province of Parma along the Via Francigena.

The list of locations taking part in the initiative is quite long, building a flavourful network of actors who want the Via Francigena experience to be increasingly special and tasty. The list can also be explored on the official EAVF website, in the purposely made section “Sosta e Gusta”.

• Twenty cheese factories
• Five markets
• Fourty-one restaurants

The real news for Spring 2021 is the inauguration of three “Stop & Taste” spots in

• Fidenza: Ufficio Turistico IAT Casa Cremonini Piazza Duomo, phone +39 524 83377
  From April to October: every day, from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 18.00.
  From November to March: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 17.30. Closed on Mondays. Closed 25 – 26 December and 1 January.
• Fornovo di Taro: Ufficio Turistico IAT Via XXIV Maggio 2, phone + 39 346 9536300
  Open year-round from Monday to Sunday. From Monday to Friday 8.30/12.30- 15/17; Saturday 8,30/12,30; Sunday 9/12
• Berceto: Info Point, Piazza Don Giovanni Bosco 2, tel. +39 5251939109
  Open every day from 9:00 to 13:00

Pilgrims who visit these three “Stop & Taste” locations will receive a ‘MITO’ single portion of Parmigiano Reggiano and an informative pamphlet about the collaboration, explaining where to find this precious cheese along the Via Francigena. Whoever feels comfortable with it will also be photographed with their special sample, to share images on EAVF’s social media and with project partners.

Dutch, polyglottal and cosmopolitan 36-year-old Myra Stals has just joined the staff of the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways – the EAVF. She will be the Social Media Manager of the event “Road to Rome 2021” as will walk and cycle along the entire 3,200-km route from Canterbury to Rome and Santa Maria di Leuca.

Myra’s face and voice will be on the social media of the Association every day to tell us about her long journey. Pictures, livestreaming, podcasts, videos and radio interviews – she will have a number of tools available to get people to follow her on the journey. Video makers, bloggers, influencers will always be with her, along with all the pilgrims that the cheerful “Road to Rome 2021” group will meet on the Via Francigena. Members of the EAVF staff will also be present along the itinerary: Luca Bruschi, Luca Faravelli, Angelofabio Attolico, Jacques Chevin, Edgar Lebras, Elena Dubinina, Sami Tawfik, Micol Sozzi, Eleonora Martinelli, Marika Massotti, Martina D’Agostino, Sara Louise Costa, Nicole Franciolini, and Garance Potier.

“I’m in trepidation. I can’t wait to start this big adventure! Mentally, I’m more than ready. Physically, I know I must train carefully for the event because I know it will be demanding”. It is not the first time that Myra has embarked on such an adventure: in the last years she has travelled 16,000 km throughout Europe by bicycle for her project Cycle 2 Recycle.

“I’m super happy I have received my new Garmont shoes and my Ferrino backpack, so that I can start using them in training and make them perfect for me in these last weeks before the departure. I’ll be more than ready on the 16^th of June!“, she says enthusiastically. “Anyway, I know that the mental challenge will be the hardest part because I will have to speak with many different people every day and I won’t have any quiet moment to recharge my batteries – very different from what I’m used to when travelling by bicycle. However, people will be my strength, not my weakness”. Myra says she feels the responsibility to represent the EAVF during such an important event; however, there’s not single hint of concern in her words, only huge pride. After all, she is the perfect ambassador for the Via Francigena: a world citizen speaking several languages and knowing different cultures, a “slow” traveller with an eye for sustainability. In other words, she embodies all that EAVF values.

Have a nice long journey, Myra!

Three new “Stop & Taste” spots are now open where pilgrims can have a taste of delicious Parmigiano Reggiano thanks to an agreement between the European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF), the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano and the Official Via Francigena Magazine emitted by editor Studio Guidotti.

We may hypothesise that Sigeric, archbishop who travelled between Rome and Canterbury in 990 a.d. describing his 79 itinerary stages in a diary – now base for the development of the route of the Francigena – had a chance to taste one of the earliest forms of Parmigiano Reggiano during his passage in the province of Parma.

This leads to the idea that modern pilgrims should have an experiential visit along the Via Francigena, devoted to the discovery of Parmigiano Reggiano. The title “Stop & Taste” already underlines the nature and the intention of the project: pilgrims are now able to stop at locations that take part in the initiative and taste this product, discover its characteristics, such as various aging techniques, and explore the variety of production sites spread across the thirteen municipalities in the province of Parma along the Via Francigena.

The list of locations taking part in the initiative is quite long, building a flavourful network of actors who want the Via Francigena experience to be increasingly special and tasty. The list can also be explored on the official EAVF website, in the purposely made section “Sosta e Gusta”.

• Twenty cheese factories
• Five markets
• Fourty-one restaurants

The real news for Spring 2021 is the inauguration of three “Stop & Taste” spots in

• Fidenza: Ufficio Turistico IAT Casa Cremonini Piazza Duomo, phone +39 524 83377
  From April to October: every day, from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 18.00.
  From November to March: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 15.00 to 17.30. Closed on Mondays. Closed 25 – 26 December and 1 January.
• Fornovo di Taro: Ufficio Turistico IAT Via XXIV Maggio 2, phone + 39 346 9536300
  Open year-round from Monday to Sunday. From Monday to Friday 8.30/12.30- 15/17; Saturday 8,30/12,30; Sunday 9/12
• Berceto: Info Point, Piazza Don Giovanni Bosco 2, tel. +39 5251939109
  Open every day from 9:00 to 13:00

Pilgrims who visit these three “Stop & Taste” locations will receive a ‘MITO’ single portion of Parmigiano Reggiano and an informative pamphlet about the collaboration, explaining where to find this precious cheese along the Via Francigena. Whoever feels comfortable with it will also be photographed with their special sample, to share images on EAVF’s social media and with project partners.

“The legend of Sigeric” is a cultural and animation initiative of the Via Francigena. This Art Comedy is based on Charles Myber’s idea, and is written and directed by Carlo Boso.

This performance aims to display a theatre action characterized by expressive techniques that are typical of the Renaissance’s popular theatre. Dance, singing, and pantomimes compose the repertory used by the young talents that build this epic performance, whose goal is to educate and entertain a broad audience.

Most of the research on the history of Sigeric was conducted by students of the AIDAS in Versailles. Two versions are being prepared: one in French, for the French-Swiss territory, and one in Italian for the Italian territory.

‘The legend of Sigeric’ is not only an occasion to enjoy a fun moment, but also an opportunity to recall the atmosphere of social and cultural events of English, French, Swiss and Italian Middle Ages history. It is a journey across eras, with stops in rich and evocative places in time.

Thanks to this colorful theatre invention, eight expert actors will carry you across the legend of Sigeric. For the happiness of a local, regional, national and international audience.

Viva viva Sigéric!

More information: charlesmyber2@gmail.com

After having won two ERASMUS+ calls in 2019 and 2020 (with overall 170 young people participating), the European Association of the Via Francigena ways was granted the VET ERAMSUS mobility card.

This card allows to receive annual and continuous funding for the next 7 years of the ERASMUS+ programme on the axis K01 in the field of vocational education and training.

One of the objectives of Erasmus + is to increase the quality of mobility in vocational education and training (VET) and to support the internationalization of organizations active in the VET field.

The objective of the Mobility Card is to encourage organizations that have a proven track record in organizing quality mobility activities in vocational education and training for learners and staff to further develop their internationalization strategies European.

More information here http://www.erasmusplus.it/formazione/risultati/

Taking place on 21-22 October 2021 in Athens, Greece, the conference “Regenerating European Tourism through Culture, Heritage and Creativity” is organised by European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) with support of the Europa Nostra, European Travel Commission, the Network of European Regions for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism (NECSTouR) with support of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways (EAVF).

The conference will discuss the latest trends in the field of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism, including innovation, digitalisation, creativity and cultural tourism product development. The emphasis will be on the important role of culture, heritage and creativity in regenerating the European tourism, following the pandemic crisis in 2020 and 2021.

Walking tourism theme, supported by the EAVF is included as one of 6 main topics of this event.

The event will host an award “Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism 2021”, which features a category “Walking Tourism and Slow Travel – Synergies with Cultural Tourism”, hosted by the EAVF.

How to apply to the award?
The application form and the required declaration can be downloaded in Word format from the website:
www.culturaltourism-network.eu/award-2021.html. The Application form and the Declaration together should be sent by e-mail to  awards@culturaltourism-net.eu by 1 June 2021.

Call for Presenters

The call for presenters can be found following this link. Presenters are invited to showcase relevant experience, share their best practices, give detailed examples and provide practical recommendations to preserving, restoring, deploying and promoting culture and heritage values, with innovations for sustainable and responsible tourism development. The regeneration of European tourism sector is of particular interest in the 2021 Conference.

The event is aimed to be conducted onsite in Athens, however, depending on the sanitary situation it might be held as a hybrid event with limited physical presence in Athens and digital streaming facilities for online participation.

​​ More information: http://www.culturaltourism-network.eu/conference-2021.html

EAVF and FFVF are working together to animate and promote the French section of the Via Francigena.

The European Association of Via Francigena ways (EAVF) and the French Federation of the Via Francigena (FFVF) signed a partnership agreement to animate and promote the French section of the route. Such a partnership builds a network between two complementary associations, with the objective of developing together the Via in France (GR®145).

Both associations work at the service of local institutions and pilgrims, providing technical and functional support to the French section of the route. In particular, EAVF and FFVF are already co-working, this year, to prepare the event “Via Francigena Road to Rome 2021. Start again!”, celebrating EAVF’s 20^th anniversary. They have also joined forces to promote the book “Francigena, Word of Pilgrims”, created by writer and photographer Céline Anaya Gautier, and to accomplish an itinerant photographic exhibition along the Via Francigena.

The FFVF is composed of over 3,700 volunteers and takes care of coordination between French Pilgrims’ Associations in 39 departments – not only the ones directly on the French section of the Via Francigena. Since 2007, FFVF helps and welcomes walkers-pilgrims on the road of the Via Francigena in the territories of Hauts de France, Grand-Est, Burgundy and Franche-Comté. It also commits to the development and maintenance of connecting routes, to allow walkers-pilgrims to inflow on the VF from their territories: for example, from Ile-de-France, Lorraine, Alsace, Brittany and other regions further South, such as Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur.

FFVF’s website: www.ffvf.fr

The march, celebrating the European Association of Via Francigena ways’ 20th anniversary, received a green light from members and departure has been confirmed for mid-June.

The past 30^th of March, EAVF’s General Assembly deliberated the confirmation of the great march “Via Francigena – road to Rome 2021. Start again!”. The highly participated Assembly confirmed the event with enthusiasm, yet with awareness that the pandemic is not over.

The march will start on Wednesday 16^th of June with a small ceremony, symbolically very important, in Canterbury, next to the “km 0” stone of the Via Francigena. On the 17^th of June, the group of walkers transporting the pilgrim stick (https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/resource/news/road-rome-2021-pronto-il-bordone-del-pellegrino/) will be in Calais, in the very north of France, where, for the occasion, the municipal administration will open its “Via Francigena rose garden”.

The French section of the Via Francigena will then be crossed, by foot and partly by bicycle, with resting days in Arras (27^th of June), Reims (5^th of July), Champlitte, French headquarters of EAVF (14^th of July, French national holiday) and Besançon (18^th of July). Friday 23^rd of July, once traversed the Franco-Swiss Jura massif, the group will arrive in Orbe, Switzerland (Canton Vaud). From there, the Swiss section will be crossed in eight stages, finally reaching the Great Saint Bernard pass (the highest point of the Via Francigena, at an elevation of 2473m), where the group will take a day to rest on Saturday 31^st of July. On the 1^st of August (Swiss national holiday), the march along the Italian section will start, leading the group of walkers to Rome on the 10^th of September and to Santa Maria di Leuca on the 18^th of October. The event will evolve in due respect of anti-covid-19 norms and will shape around sanitary rules in place in the single countries it crosses.

Who will walk with EAVF during these 127 day and 3,200km?

Some representatives of EAVF’s team will always be on their feet, in particular Myra Stals, official walker and Social Media Manager of the trip, who will walk (and cycle) for all four months of the journey. Myra is well-known in the Francigena environment, especially in Italy, where, last year, she cycled from Turin to Santa Maria di Leuca (https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/resource/news/bicicletta-ambiente-plastica-rifiuti-raccoltafondi/ ) with her project Cycle to Recycle.

Walking with her, a few video-makers will collect images and shootings with the ambition of creating a documentary on the Francigena route. Another important role is held by associations, which will join the group at single stages with local representatives; referents of municipal administrations and involved partners will also be participating.

On top of this, a call for influencers and bloggers who want to join the march has been launched. The hope is to involve many participants locally and between stages, once again in full respect of the evolving covid-19 situation. All updates will be available on the page of the event.

The march aims at:

• Restarting after the pandemic period, by valorizing the sustainable, cultural and responsible tourism of the Via Francigena and all European walking routes.
• Sensitizing regional and national governments and religious institutions, in order to provide increasing value to the Via Francigena as a crucial example and driver for the sustainable development of tourism.
• Verifying the conditions of the path, highlighting best practices and possible weak points along the entire route, and suggesting improvements in light of the added value it can provide for tourism in single regional stretches.
• Supporting the application of the Via Francigena to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

 

Find detailed information here:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/road-to-rome/

The roadmap schedule is available here:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/static/uploads/rtr_calendario_31_03_2021(1)(1).pdf

You can consult the project brochure here:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/static/uploads/min_it_rtr_brochure.pdf

Download the Press kit:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/static/uploads/min_it_rtr_press_kit.pdf

Find out who the project partners are:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/it/Road-to-Rome/Partner/