Author: Redazione AEVF

A presented of artwork in the framework of the “Epifanie” project carried out the by the Quasar Institute for Advanced Design took place on Friday, 25 October 2019, at the Council Hall of the Municipality of San Lorenzo Nuovo, as part of the “Arte sui Cammini” initiative, supported by the Lazio Region in line with the guidelines of the Council of Europe.

It is a winner of one of the seven selected projects (out of 35 presented) that encouraged the Lazio Region to create and install contemporary artworks along the spiritual routes, thus enhancing the valorisation work, started few years ago.

The initiative involved artists and cultural operators, called to confront historic, artistic and spiritual values of various religious paths crossing the Region to create artworks capable to harmoniously interact with natural and urban landscapes.

The project, awarded by the Quasar Institute for Advanced Design, exclusively concerns the northern section of the Via Francigena – from the border with Tuscany to San Lorenzo Nuovo – and is carried out on a specific section of the Via Cassia.

The project “Epifanie“, organized by the Quasar, was realized thanks to participation of artists, in particular Renzogallo and Andreco, who created six artworks: one – in the municipality of Acquapendente, near the Porta della Ripa, former access to the city; and five pieces – in San Lorenzo Nuovo.

“With the inauguration of this museum of modern art on the Via Francigena comes a project that has involved several institutions – comments Mayor Massimo Bambini – first and foremost the Lazio Region which financed the works, the Municipalities of San Lorenzo Nuovo and Acquapendente which supported them, the Quasar Institute for Advanced Design which created them – the realization of this project is the tangible testimony of the results that can be obtained by collaborating. The Via Francigena is undoubtedly a force of Tuscia; we are fortunate to have this unique tourist and cultural resource; we cannot in any way leave it out, but rather we must work to strengthen and develop it with new ideas and spread the knowledge with ever greater incisiveness. ” Epifanie” embodies all of this: development, innovation and knowledge. “

On the second photo: from left, Simone Quilici (Lazio Region), Elisabetta Ferrari (European Association of the Via Francigena Ways), Mayor of San Lorenzo Nuovo Massimo Bambini, Municipal Councilor Sandra Pifferi of Acquapendente and the Scientific Director of the Quasar Institute for Advanced Design, Professor Benedetto Todaro.

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) participated in the Autumn Meeting of the Saint Olav Ways, which took place on 15 October 2019 in Hamar, Norway.

The Autumn Meeting is the biggest and most important event for the St Olav Ways in Norway, bringing together representatives of the route’s management, directors of regional pilgrim’s centres and representatives of local authorities.

The EAVF, represented by Ms Elena Dubinina, shared its experience of the tourism impact evaluation along the route and presented latest statistics and pilgrim’s profile. The EAVF suggested potential spheres of cooperation between the routes, such as environmental awareness and capacity building and development of indicators and statistical tools.

The EAVF also conducted technical visits to the regional pilgrim’s centres of Hamar and Granavollen, learning about their functions, objectives and importance for local community.

The Council of Europe Cultural Route of St Olav is a network of paths through Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway, leading pilgrims to Nidaros Cathedral, in Trondheim, Norway, where Saint Olav lies buried.

Olav II Haraldsson, later known as St. Olav, was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. After he fell in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030 he was declared a martyr and a saint, which led to the propagation of his myth. For centuries after his death, pilgrims made their way through Scandinavia, along routes leading to Nidaros Cathedral, in Trondheim, where Saint Olav lies buried

The St Olav’s Autumn Meeting was a great success and represents a beginning of a cooperation between two pilgrim’s routes – in the North and South of Europe.

More information:

Saint Olav Ways Route https://www.acsow.org/en/frontpage/

Council of Europe Cultural Routes https://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes/home

The number of members of the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) is ever increasing. During the General Assembly in Bari, which took place on 18 October 2019, accession certificates were given to new municipalities that joined the network.

The General Assembly welcomed the elected representatives of the regions of Campania and Apulia, the representatives of the municipalities of Buonalbergo (Benevento, Campania), Sant’Arcangelo Trimonte (Benevento, Campania), Celle San Vito (Foggia, Apulia), Faeto (Foggia, Apulia), Ordona (Foggia, Apulia), Stornarella (Foggia, Apulia), San Marco in Lamis (Foggia, Apulia), Margherita di Savoia (Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia), Trani (Barletta-Andria- Trani, Apulia), Polignano a Mare (Bari, Apulia), Ruvo di Puglia (Bari, Apulia), Molfetta (Bari, Apulia) and Brindisi (Apulia).

The EAVF staff also announced the entry of new friend’s associations: the Most Beautiful Villages of Switzerland (Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland), the Committee Via Francigena del Sud – Corato (Corato, Bari, Apulia) and the association Brindisi e le Antiche Strade (Brindisi, Apulia).

The EAVF General Assembly, this time focused on the ratification of the route of the Via Francigena of the South, was also an occasion for the EAVF honorary public award ceremony. The EAVF president, Massimo Tedeschi, gave an honorary award to Colin Carmichael, Chief Executive of the Canterbury City Council and to Adelaide Trezzini, president of the AIVF – Association Internationale Via Francigena.

The presence of the Leader of Canterbury City Council, Robert Thomas, recalled the 1998 official visit of the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Denis Linfoot to Fidenza, AEVF headquarters. A souvenir photo of the poster was delivered to the Chief Executive by Massimo Tedeschi together with Maria Pia Bariggi, Councilor for Culture and the Via Francigena of the Municipality of Fidenza.

All rights reserved

The European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) unanimously approved the new route from Rome to Brindisi and Santa Maria di Leuca as the Via Francigena of the South.

Approximately 900 km of history, tradition and culture, became a part of the Via Francigena route and are now moving towards the extension of the certification of a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

A historic moment for the Via Francigena, especially for the South, as Regional Councilor Loredana Capone pointed out at the EAVF General Assembly on 18 October 2019 together with Aldo Patruno, Director of Tourism, Economy of Culture and Protection of the Territory for the Apulia Region.

“This is truly an important moment that allows southern Italy to feel connected with the rest of the country and Europe. This project has allowed us to work together, while becoming aware of the route. The Via Francigena is a new starting point for southern Italy, which wants to continue to connect with the rest of Europe. This event will allow us to present ourselves to the Council of the Europe united, with common intentions and spirit, all oriented towards the same direction. “

The approval of the route is a result of work, which began in March 2015 and continued over the years with the decisive actions of the Southern Interregional Technical Roundtable consisting of the regions of Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, Molise and Apulia, coordinated by the EAVF, which made it possible to identify the route and geolocate the path. The itinerary, approved on 18 October 2019 by the EAVF members, leads to Santa Maria di Leuca and includes a historical variant in the region of Basilicata (via Bradanica) that ends in Matera.

“In the beginning, we faced an infinite number of routes – said Angelofabio Attolico, technical director of the Via Francigena of the South on behalf of the EAVF and a delegate of the Region of Apulia – then we took the Itinerarium Burdigalense (333 AD) as a reference. In ​​collaboration with the regions and associations involved in the safety and signage development, this route was realized. It is fundamental – reminded Angelofabio in conclusion – that the citizens are empowered and are involved in the maintenance of the itinerary. I thank all those who have worked and continue to do so on a daily basis. “

Today, this route continues with some recommendations: “This is an almost historic moment, the Via Francigena has changed “skin”– said Massimo Tedeschi, president of the EAVF in his speech in Bari – what was the route of Sigeric from Canterbury to Rome today is the Way to Rome, Santiago and Jerusalem. We look in different directions where Apulia takes a role of a center of gravity. We want to make the Via Francigena more important and attractive for people who will walk this way because we are in this broader European context “.

” In Ivrea, the Assembly had expressed a very specific political orientation, namely, to focus on a single route direction. We have seen great awareness, determination and enthusiasm of the southern regions. Today this path is presented with some recommendations – reminded the EAVF director, Luca Bruschi – We give ourselves six months to perfect the safety and signage. We request that the theme of the Via Francigena be inserted in the budget and strategic planning of the regions and for the next year we are also setting ourselves the goal of a guide dedicated to the Via Francigena of the South”.

The approval of the route was greeted by long applause in Hall 1 of Pavilion 153 of the Levant Fair in Bari. Closing of the afternoon session was accompanied by braces and handshakes, testimonies and project-sharing along 3 thousand and 200 km of the Via Francigena. Many elected officials from Apulia and Campania attended the event and received welcome certificates as new members of the EAVF.

Satisfaction but also responsibility. The work on the Via Francigena route will still take long time and matters such as signage, safety and hospitality are fundamental for the future of this path that aims to rediscover its spiritual dimension to Jerusalem. In the meantime, today’s vote has written a new Italian and European page that has already yielded an important result on the political front.

Before the vote, the various interventions held by the partners indeed highlighted the fact that Via Francigena is a means of dialogue between the Regions. A common project capable of bringing together elected representatives, associations and the territory around the same goal. We are now in 2020, an important year for Via Francigena in the South and beyond. As announced by Canterbury Leader Robert Thomas, the next EAVF meeting will be held in the medieval town of Kent, at km zero of Via Francigena on 14-15 May 2020.

All rights reserved