Creation of a Cultural Route, crossing Europe from North to South
The European Cultural Route ‘The Columban Way’ will involve seven countries: Ireland, the UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. It reflects the travels of the 6th/7th century monks Columbanus and Gall, who left their native Ireland to travel across Europe, over a period of 25 years.
Since 2012, David Ward-Perkins has been working with the regions and towns of four of these countries towards the creation of a Cultural Route certified by the European Commission. Since 2013, he has been formally engaged by the Borough of North Down (Northern Ireland) and Luxeuil-les-Bains as a consultant to the project, working in partnership with the Italian consultancy Cammini d’Europa.
In March 2013, Italian, French and UK authorities signed the Articles of Association of the Way, in the historic town of Bobbio (northern Appenines) where Columbanus founded his last Abbey and died. In the course of 2014, several Irish partners have joined the Association.
In addition to preparation of the formal application, David’s work has included the drafting of a three-year Action Plan, budgeting for the project, creation of the Scientific Committee, work on an ambitious tourism development strategy involving the partners, and preparation of funding bids.
Client: North Down Borough Council and Comune de Luxeuil-les-Ba