The Council of Europe Cultural Route Assembly in Thessaloniki
Source: Tornos News
The annual General Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Route “Iter Vitis” is being hosted by the Region of Central Macedonia in Thessaloniki and Naoussa during the three-day period of October 16–18. The main themes and key objectives of the event were presented today during a press conference held in the meeting hall of the Regional Council of Central Macedonia.
“The Region of Central Macedonia is a blessed land, and European initiatives such as today’s—combining culture, tourism, wine tradition, and agri-food—highlight in the best possible way the advantages of our region,” stated in a written address the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Athina Aidona.
Pointing out that the Region of Central Macedonia has been a member of this specific European network since 2018, Ms. Aidona emphasized that “participation in a cultural route with wine as the common link—a product of high added value—offers expertise, the exchange of views and best practices, and cultivates fertile ground for collaborations and synergies, ultimately leading to extroversion and development. In this way, local businesses and producers benefit, and the wine and agri-food wealth, as well as the inexhaustible cultural reserve of Central Macedonia, are showcased.”
“The Region of Central Macedonia possesses a wine heritage unique in Europe and a vibrant viticultural tradition that marries centuries-old wisdom with contemporary creativity. From Naoussa and Goumenissa to Vertiskos, Paggaio, Serres, Sithonia, Paiko, Mount Athos, Thessaloniki, Pella, Imathia, and Pieria, every corner of Macedonia has its own wine soul. With nearly 200 active wineries, many of which are open to visitors offering unique tasting and hospitality experiences, Central Macedonia holds a prominent position on the wine map of Greece. For us, wine is not just a product. It is culture, history, and identity,” stated Deputy Regional Governor for Tourism, Vicky Chatzivasileiou, during the press conference.
This year’s General Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Route “Iter Vitis,” with representatives from fifteen countries participating, focuses on promoting sustainability, inclusion, and innovation in the fields of cultural and wine tourism. The event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and is organized in collaboration with the Municipality of the Heroic City of Naoussa, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, and the Association of Northern Greece Winemakers.
The President of the European Federation “Iter Vitis,” Emanuela Panke, noted that the Region of Central Macedonia, the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of the Heroic City of Naoussa, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, and the Association of Northern Greece Winemakers were among the first participants in the “Iter Vitis” network, having recognized early on “the value of wine in providing cultural identity to the region.”
Representing the Ministry of Culture, the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kastoria, Andromachi Skreka, conveyed the greetings of the Head of the Department of International Relations of the Ministry, Marianthi Anastasiadou. “The Department of International Relations of the Directorate for International Relations and the EU of the Ministry of Culture serves as the national contact point for the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The program includes 49 Cultural Routes, covering a wide range of topics—from architecture and landscape to religious influences, and from gastronomy and intangible heritage to major figures of European history, art, music, and literature,” it was noted in the greeting.
Speaking about the participation in the Council of Europe’s Cultural Route “Iter Vitis,” the General Director of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Anastasia Gadoulou, stated: “The collections of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki include significant finds from Macedonia, reflecting the importance of wine production and consumption, as well as the dissemination of the wine’s cultural value during ancient symposia. Since the summer of 2023, when the Museum officially became a member of the Cultural Route, it has taken on the role of conveying the message of the cultural significance of wine and vine cultivation to younger generations,” noted Ms. Gadoulou.
Speaking on the added value of wine tourism, the Director of the Association of Northern Greece Winemakers, Alexandra Anthidou, remarked that what makes wine tourism special as an alternative form of tourism is “the experience and joy it offers the visitor in becoming part of the wine-making process.”
The original article: Tornos News .
belongs to