On 18 October the General Assembly of the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF) took place in Monte Sant’Angelo, 2024 Capital of Culture of the Puglia Region and home of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The event was attended by over 130 stakeholders and partner associations from the four member states of the Association: Italy, Switzerland, France, and England.
The event focused on strategic planning, exchange of best practices and collaborations and featured HIKE as an example of international cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility and tourism. The presentation conducted by the EAVF team (HIKE partner) highlighted the success of the series of hiking and sports events organised in September 2024 along the Southern Via Francigena in collaboration with the Puglia Region, local authorities and associations. These events, free and open to all, attracted over 300 participants, engaging the public in a walking experience enriched by sport and cultural activities. Special emphasis was placed on the media coverage of the events, with the presence of local and national bloggers and journalists who provided significant visibility across various publications and channels.
The HIKE project, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, actively involved local stakeholders through a comprehensive program of activities, including two workshops focused on physical preparation and safety during the journey. The Assembly also provided an opportunity to showcase the project’s achievements and outline the next steps of this itinerant initiative, which, between October and November, will visit the Via Egnatia in Greece and the Via della Tolleranza in Türkiye.
As a side event focused on the project follow-up in Italy took place in the morning of 18 October, involving the Puglia region, associations of Via Francigena Canosa, Brindisi e le Antiche Strade and the representatives of municipalities and civil society from San Severo and Fasano.
On 19 October, inspired by the HIKE methodology, the AEVF conducted a hike along a short stretch of the Via Francigena in the vicinity of the Monte Sant’Angelo with the participation of over 30 persons. The walk combined outdoor physical activity with cultural experiences tied to the local area. Along the route, participants were immersed in local traditions, thanks to the artistic performances which provided an authentic representation of the region’s musical heritage.
[Photo courtesy: EAVF team]