Autore: Redazione AEVF

The Via Francigena is back screen. On 5 December 2019 on Italia 1, in the TV programme “Cotto e Mangiato” the section “Menù in bici” was dedicated to the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, focused on history, nature and eno-gastronomy.

Main characters of the episode, riding their bikes, went to discover the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Before starting the journey, the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF) represented by Luca Faravelli, EAVF project manager and walker, made an intervention in the village of Corchia.

Riding along the Via Francigena, Tessa Gelisio, Ludovica Casellati & Co reached Berceto tasting Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and then headed towards Passo della Cisa.

A great episode narrating a beautiful two-wheeled journey along the Via Francigena to discover the regions!

Link to the episode: https://www.mediasetplay.mediaset.it/video/cottoemangiatoilmenu/appennino-tosco-emiliano-via-francigena_F310116601001901

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF), represented by Elena Dubinina, participated in the 3rd  EUSALP Annual Forum, which took place on 28 – 29 November 2019 in Palazzo Lombardia, the headquarters of the Lombardy region, Milan.

The event brought together high-level stakeholders, such as Giuseppe Conte, Italian Prime-Minister, Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy region, Francesco Boccia, Italian Minister for Regional Affairs and autonomies, Jacqueline Gourault, French Minister for Territorial Cohesion Policy and Marie-Marguerite Dufay, President of the Bourgone – Franche – Compté Region.

The participants of the Forum, acting in the Alpine macro – region from the local to the European level, reconfirmed their commitment to the Strategy and to explore new windows of opportunities. The event also gave an opportunity to present the results of the initiatives carried out during the year of the Italian Presidency, and to discuss on the way forward preparing for the following French Presidency in 2020.

The Alpine macro-region area is composed of territories with contrasted demographic, social and economic trends and a great cultural and linguistic diversity. This diversity goes along with a great variety of governance systems and traditions and calls for cooperation. The 7 regions of the Via Francigena are in the Alpine macro-region: French Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Swiss Valles and Vaud, Italian Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria.

The EAVF presented the results of its project in the Alpine area, which was developed in the framework of the Routes4U joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Commission at the B2B on Cultural Routes conducted during the Forum. The project is focused on strengthening the economic impact of the Via Francigena via reinforcing the network of tourist offices, preparing tailor-made tourist packages and development of the information panels. The EAVF also shared its success strategies and economic benefits to local communities and member states. During the B2B on Cultural Routes, Constanze Metzger, Routes4U Senior Manager, presented the programme, while Ksenija Keča, Routes4U expert for EUSALP, gave an overwiev of the Cultural Routes Feasibility Study for the Alpine macro-region. 

The Forum highlighted the necessity to work together on the climate change issues, development of circular economy and investing into the sustainable development. The EAVF – the carrier network of the Via Francigena is an excellent example of the bottom-up organization implementing these goals on the ground.

 More information:

• Via Francigena in the Alpine macro-region https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/Routes4U/
• Routes4U https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes-and-regional-development
• 3rd EUSALP Annual Forum https://www.forumeusalp2019.com/Home.aspx
• Alpine macro-region https://www.alpine-region.eu/

On 1 December 2019 Andrea Devicenzi, Paralympic athlete and Via Francigena ambassador, concluded his journey along the Francigena, having reached St. Peter’s Square in Rome after 1000 km journey (Interview Link).

“A 1,000-kilometer project that, after arriving on 1 December in St. Peter’s Square, saw the return of part of my team for a special meeting”, the Paralympic athlete tells us.

The mental coach, who now lives in Martignana di Po, a small town in the province of Cremona, was able to greet Pope Francis on Wednesday 4 December 2019 at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

“We have exceeded our expectations by meeting the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. Little time was available, because there were many people whom he had to meet, but from his smile and a handshake, I  passed on the energy to my team and perhaps also the suffering to the hands that accompanied me”, explains Andrea.

A perfect end to an adventure that began on 14 March 2019 from Aosta Italy, at a rate of 4 – 5 days at a time, with breaks of a few weeks, and then resuming the journey to Rome. A journey that, from stage to stage, has seen more and more friends accompany the athlete in his enterprise. Andrea’s journey has in fact also enabled development and testing of an important support tool, the personalized “Katana” crutch.

A story made of determination and solidarity was closely followed by many Municipalities of the Via Francigena, a journey full of emotions told by the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) via social channels. “We started quietly with 7 friends willing to reach Rome, sharing our stories and bringing as many people as possible on the Way to live a new experience. An idea that as the kilometers went by grew larger and ended with over 60 people “.

The arrival in Rome was welcomed by the authorities and finally by the meeting with the Pope. Andrea told his story to the Pope showing the Katana crutch: “It was a unique experience that will remain in my heart. I thank all the people who have been with me and those who would have liked to be. The Pope’s blessing to the whole group will allow us to better overcome our difficulties “.

Sport and social commitment will be the theme of the return home of this Paralympic athlete who now aims at qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 paralympics.

Good journey, Andrea!