On 20 December 2019 the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways travelled to Istanbul, Turkey to take part in the Scientific Committee of the Via Eurasia, which was organised by the Culture Routes Society under the hospices of the Boğaziçi University Tourism Administration and Research Centre.

The meeting brought together international experts, scholars and academia to discuss the scientific aspects of the Via Eurasia route project from the archaeological, cultural, sociological and tourism perspectives.

The Scientific Committee aims to encourage the conduct of research on the Via Eurasia in its integrity and individual routes,  encourage students to undertake their academic research on the routes of the Via Eurasia, jointly apply for grants, participate in the annual programme of activities of the association and offer scientific advice where required.

The representatives of the Boğaziçi University, Edinburgh University, Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University, Kocaeli University, Asia Minor Research Center, Akdeniz University as well as independent scholars and freelance academics attended the meeting. 

The urgent need for conservation of archaeological sites along the route was stressed during the meeting and practical measures which should be conducted were discussed.

The Via Eurasia has been developed in the framework of the project “Italy, Greece and Turkey on Foot”and led by a non-governmental organization from Turkey Culture Routes Society (CRS) which associated with the EAVF and an association in Greece Trace Your Eco.

More information:

https://www.viefrancigene.org/en/viaeurasia-project/

https://cultureroutesinturkey.com/uncategorized/via-eurasias-first-scientific-committee-meeting/