Author: Redazione AEVF

The Via Francigena and 24 other routes met at the “Forum des Chemins” in Paris, the annual event dedicated to pilgrimages.

It was an opportunity for the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) to spend time with hikers and route representatives. The 104 Forum reunited pilgrims, hikers, associations and writers. The forum was organised by journalist, Gaële de la Brosse. Starting this year, the event welcomed “pilgrims of the earth”: men and women who rally before ecological, economic and social crises and who, like all pilgrims, presented research on new ideas.

The EAVF had a stand and participated in a workshop, conference and debate. The official EAVF guide of the Italian section was presented in collaboration with the “Terre di Mezzo” publishing company and the next guide for the Canterbury – Great St Bernard Pass section was announced. The Italian guide in French is sold in Paris by “Vieux Cameur”, company specialising in excursion and in an Italian bookshop.

Martine Gautheron, EAVF vice-president, represented the EAVF and the Via Francigena during the “Pilgrim Speed Dating” activity. Various authors took part in the forum to meet pilgrims and present their books: Jean-Christophe Rufin (guest of honour), François-Xavier Maigre, Fabienne Biden, Gaële of the Brush, François Cariot.

Another step forward for the Via Francigena of the South. The European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) has been working on the Campania territory for the checking, mapping and final delineation of the Francigena route.

The project has been carried out in collaboration with CAI regionale and in accordance with the region of Campania, who over the past few weeks has officially joined the EAVF.

The Via Francigena of the South, which includes the regions of Campania, Lazio, Molise, Basilicata and Puglia, has requested certification for the extension to Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. The EAVF, réseau porteur of the Council of Europe, and the 5 regions of the Southern Via Francigena signed a collaboration agreement finalised at the achievement of this goal dependent on the identification, infrastructure, security and signage of the whole route.

A central element of the project is the integrated and sustainable enhancement of cultural, panoramic and environmental heritage in the Campania section of the Francigena to develop useable routes in different ways and aimed at different target consumers, but always characterised by sustainability, quality of service and accessibility.

The Via Francigena in Campania is a collection of routes characterised by great potential, both as pilgrim routes and as a backbone to a network of walking and cycling routes. It’s a 170km route which includes 26 municipalities, while the region identified 200km for future walking and cycling routes.

Activities in the process of being realised are: the delineation and checking of the route; the punctual checking of security, with potential improvement proposals; the launching of a virtual cycle of territorial awareness and animation, with the inclusion of administrations, associations and passionate individuals who look after the route.

The final approval for the European extension certification of the Via Francigena of the South has been entrusted to the European Association of Via Francigena Ways assembly which in 2019 will take place the 14th June in Besançon and the 18th October in Bari.

On 30th March in Acquapendente the S’Osteria 38 was inaugurated: a new location along the Via Francigena at the northern entrance of the small town of Alta Tuscia, in correspondence with the first rest-stop in the Viterbo area of the historic pilgrim route at 827km.

S’Osteria 38, promoted by social cooperatives Alicenova, Fattorie Solidali and Lacapracampa, was created from a project aimed at providing new high quality hospitality and quality. Equipped with a restaurant, pizzeria, bedrooms, an infopoint with organic and artisanal products, co-working space for study and work groups and areas for events and shows; S’Osteria 38 aims at an integrated offer of services for tourists and pilgrims who travel along the Via Francigena.

The Alicenoca coop president, Andrea Spigoni, explained this project proposal which links the collaboration between social cooperative and private partner, with a vision of touristic hospitality focusing on social and working inclusion with the option of using the structure for training courses and courses on living independently for those with disabilities or social unease.

Participating at the inauguration were the Councillor for Social Politics, Welfare and Local Entities of the Region of Lazio, Alessandra Troncarelli; the mayor of Acquapendente, Angelo Ghinassi with the Councillor of Social Politics, Valeria Zannoni; president of the European Association of Via Francigena Ways, Massimo Tedeschi (EAVF), who declared he was ready to collaborate in the creation of positive synergy between the EAVF and local entities.

An art exhibition was also set up on the same day, where works of Claudia Cecconi, Fabiola Di Tella and Francesco Scanu Lassu were displayed – all artists of international fame who accepted the honour of being the first to use the space.

For more information and bookings contact:  335.842 57 03 or info@sosteria38.it

At 15:00 on 13th April at the old cinema Roma, the “Berceto: UNESCO municipality of the Via Francigena” meeting will take place.

The event, requested by the mayor of the municipality, Luigi Lucchi, aims to highlight the potential of the territory crossed by the Francigena, in the context of the route’s candidacy as UNESCO heritage.

“The ancient route has been added to the national “Tentative List” to obtain the prestigious recognition of UNESCO world heritage, and with it Berceto Cathedral, the strada Romea, the squares and hamlets of Castellonchio, Roccaprebalza and Corchia – explains the mayor – in a time when everything seems to divide people and expand individualism, the municipality of Berceto finds itself with a shared aim which unites 19,000 people (…) This acknowledgement could, however difficult it may be, both directly and indirectly benefit every single person. The aim of this great event of the 13th April is to remind every single person of the 19,000 involved of the hidden value of our territory and it’s potential that shouldn’t be underestimated“.

Distinguished guests will help reveal this opportunity on the 13th April. Luciano Ghelfi, Rai Tg2 journalist will coordinate the interviews of: Alessandro Bosi, Franco Cardini, Philippe Daverio, Luca Mercalli, Don Carlo Pizzo, Massimo Spigaroli and Mario Tozzi. Discussions have been planned on the themes of “Via Francigena: a European Route” moderated by Giovanni Capece; “the UNESCO opportunity, the legal aspects and great investments for the restructuring of villages” moderated by Rai journalist, Luca Ponzi and conclusions by Irene Pivetti.

Also present at the event will be the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF), with the president, Massimo Tedeschi, Sami Tawfik and Luca Faravelli, together with the mayor of Fidenza, Andrea Massari.

Download the programme below