Autore: Redazione AEVF

In beautiful settings of the “Cercle des Voyageurs” of Brussels, the European Association of  Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) participated in the General Assembly of the association Les Amis de la Via Francigena en Belgique (AVFB) – The Friends of the Via Francigena in Belgium.

The AVFB presented its activities and a financial plan of the past year. The association is accredited with sales of Via Francigena Pilgrims’ Passports and guides, as demand for them is ever growing.

“Since 2013, more than 300 official passports have been distributed to pilgrims in the Brussels region. Every pilgrim usually comes to our headquarters before leaving: it is an opportunity to get to know each other, to exchange information on the Via Francigena and the trail – said President Vincent Imperiali in his introduction – The interest around Via Francigena continues to grow. There are also many pilgrims of Italian origin of the second generation who are enthusiastic to go to Italy, Rome or other places in Apulia on foot to reconnect with their land of origin.”

Imperiali then presented an interesting project to connect Brussels, a city in the heart of Europe, to the French city of Reims where the road joins the Via Francigena. The route includes a long trail of about 250 km that passes through Naumur, a town connected to Saint James’ Ways. It is about an 8-9-day route, which has already been identified with its mapping and geolocation underway. Many members and volunteers of the association have provided support for light signage actions along the route.

Following Imperiali’s introduction, the European Association of Via Francigena Ways presented Via Francigena as part of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme. The president of the EAVF, Massimo Tedeschi, praised this initiative that unites two emblematic European cities of Brussels and Reims. “It is a project that strengthens the European soul of the Via Francigena and connects us directly to the capital of Europe,” he said.

EAVF director Luca Bruschi then presented ongoing projects of the Via Francigena, in particular preparation of the UNESCO World Heritage candidacy and creation of a paper-based guide of the English and French-Swiss sections of the route. Concluding with the EAVF vademecum on signage, he presented the European reference standards of the Via Francigena to be taken into account on the section Brussels-Reims, connected to Via Francigena.

During the Assembly, the exciting experience of Joahn Swinnen, Leuven University Professor active in cancer research, was shared. During the 2019summer he ran from Brussels to Rome with an average of 80-100 km per day in the name of his son’s battle against cancer. Swinnen has raised funds, sensitized institutions and wrote a book published in recent days.

Les Amis de la Via Francigena en Belgique (AVFB) is chaired by Vincent Imperiali who founded it in 2013 after having travelled the entire Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. The association plays an important role in information dissemination for all pilgrims and travellers who want to start the Via Francigena. On the first Saturday of each month, the AVFB organizes an information session at the “Travelers Club” in Brussels open for everyone.

All rights reserved

Alberto Castellò, the “peregrino per la paz” (pilgrim for peace) is walking along the Via Francigena. The Spanish pilgrim returns on the Sigeric’s route, heading to Jerusalem.

Traveling for 6 years with over 29,000 km on his shoulders, Alberto walked the Saint James’ Ways, the Via Francigena and many other routes several times, always relying on providence. A constant choice of his wanderings brought him to the center of attention also as a pilgrim of record-breaking credential of 34 km long!

At the dawn of his 56^th birthday (he will celebrate it on November 11), Alberto decided to head to the Holy Land involving all his supporters, friends and pilgrims as he walks by. His goal is to share the message of hope and peace via an extended march to Jerusalem.

“I feel I can do something important for this journey and bring a message of peace as a movement, in a group – Alberto tells us – it would be nice to be able to walk with other pilgrims. I have known so many people over the years, I have also brought my testimony to schools. Now I would like this pilgrimage to become a message of peace and to share it with other people, step by step, up to Jerusalem “.

Originally from Bocareint, a small town in Spain near Valencia, Alberto left for his journey only with a shell, a backpack and a lot of trust towards others. In recent days he was hosted by Alberto Conte at the Casa del Movimento Lento and today, 1 November 2019, he arrived in Fidenza, province of Parma, where he met Luca Bruschi, director of the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) to share the experience of the journey. Alberto was then received at the tourist office for a stamp of his credential. On Saturday the journey starts again towards Fonovo Taro.

The video-interview conducted by Luca Bruschi – EAVF director in Fidenza in front of the Cathedral: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=413782399547081 

His dream is to undertake the journey together with many friends. Hundreds of kilometers of the Via Francigena await him to Rome. From there the pilgrim will go up the Bel Paese following the path of San Francesco, up to Assisi. Then he will set off again on foot to Trieste to continue towards Istanbul via the Balkans. The final destination of the journey is Jerusalem, where Alberto wants to bring the testimony of peace on behalf of all the walkers, with a backpack full of memories.

Note: at the moment you can follow Alberto’s pilgrimage via a social media profile on Instagram (@peregrino_por_la_paz) managed by a remote family member. Alberto does not have a mobile phone and his communications are possible thanks to the availability and generosity of those he meets on his way.

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways received a prestigious prize of the Best Destinations for Sustainable Cultural Tourism 2019 awarded by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), Brussels, Belgium.

The Via Francigena, the Council of Europe Cultural route, was given the second place in the category “Transnational Thematic Tourism Products including Cultural Routes“. The international jury took into consideration the development of the Via Francigena in the cultural, socio-economic, tourism and sustainable development areas along the entire route.

The awards ceremony took place on 25 October 2019 in Granada (Spain) within the XII International Conference on Cultural Tourism in Europe in the presence of representatives of the European Commission and other international organizations, regions and local authorities from twelve European countries.

The Prize, created in partnership with Europa Nostra, NECSTouR and European Travel Commission, is awarded by the ECTN since 2014 and is themed around cultural destinations, local communities, associations, businesses, citizens and tourists, the gastronomy and traditions contributing to the sustainability and ethical tourism.

“It was a very useful event to promote the “new ” 3,000 km European Via Francigena and an important opportunity to present the extension of the Francigena path to Apulia, Italy on the international level – comments the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF ) – The Via Francigena promotes the development of an ethical and sustainable route, supports cooperation and economic development of local communities and, finally, can be considered an excellent example of a destination that embraces the objectives of responsible tourism“.

The awards ceremony was attended by the EAVF President, Mr Massimo Tedeschi and the EAVF Director Mr Luca Bruschi.

To learn more: http://www.culturaltourism-network.eu/conference-2019.html

All rights reserved

The Routes4U project within the Alpine Macro Region (EUSALP) continues its development. In its framework, the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) produced information panels, maps and flyers for the regions involved: Bourgogne – Franche – Comté FR; Vaud and Valais CH; Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria IT.

In particularly, the produced maps illustrate the Swiss – French intersection and the Italian section of the Via Francigena.  New flyers are added to the EAVF Pilgrim’s Passport distributed in the Alpine Macro Region. Recently, information panels have also been installed in Champlitte, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté FR; in Romainmôtier-Envy, Canton de Vaud, CH, in Pont-Saint-Martin, Valle d’Aosta and in Sarzana in Liguria IT.

Routes4U is the joint project between the European Commission (DG Regio) and the Council of Europe. It takes place from 2017 to 2020 with the aim of improving regional development through the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe that intersect four European Macro-Regions: Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic and Ionian, Alpine.

 For further information: https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/Routes4U/