AEPJ Participates in the 14th Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Cappadocia

From 22 to 24 October 2025, the 14th Annual Advisory Forum on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe is being held in Cappadocia, Türkiye, under the theme “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Landscapes: Advancing Heritage Protection through Cultural and Sustainable Tourism.” The event gathers representatives of the 49 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, governmental authorities from the 43 member States of the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA), as well as cultural heritage experts, academics, and practitioners from across the continent.

Organised by the EPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the European Institute of Cultural Routes, and with the support of the local authorities of the Cappadocia region, the Forum provides a unique platform for exchange and reflection on how Cultural Routes can contribute to the protection of Europe’s diverse landscapes through sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.

Set against the striking natural and cultural scenery of Cappadocia, a landscape shaped by volcanic formations and home to centuries of human creativity and adaptation, this edition of the Forum emphasizes the crucial link between heritage, landscape, and community. The discussions focus on the ways in which Cultural Routes can play a transformative role in promoting cultural dialogue, protecting tangible and intangible heritage, and addressing global challenges such as climate change, overdevelopment, and environmental degradation.

AEPJ and the European Route of Jewish Heritage: active contributors to the Cultural Routes Programme

The AEPJ is participating in the Forum representing the European Route of Jewish Heritage, one of the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The association’s director, Victor Sorenssen, took part in the meeting of the Cultural Routes held on the opening day of the Forum, where he presented the results of the Working Group on Cooperation, which he coordinates on behalf of the network. This working group has been a key space for the exchange of experiences and for fostering collaborative projects among the different routes.

During the same session, the new Erasmus+ project “CURV” was introduced. This initiative aims to further develop and strengthen the network’s thematic working groups—Cooperation, Visibility, and Cultural Tourism—which serve as essential instruments for capacity building and for advancing synergies between Cultural Routes. The project represents an important step forward in consolidating the collaborative structure of the Cultural Routes Programme and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Strengthening partnerships and visibility

Also taking part in the Forum is Tilda Koenka, representative of the European Route of Jewish Heritage in Türkiye, based in İzmir. Her participation underlines the growing engagement of the route’s local partners and the importance of strengthening regional collaboration within the wider European framework.

Beyond the formal sessions, the Forum provides an excellent opportunity for networking and exchange with representatives of other Cultural Routes. The AEPJ maintains close cooperation with numerous routes within the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme, working together on key European initiatives focused on cultural tourism, youth engagement, and heritage preservation. The Forum is therefore an ideal space to reconnect, share experiences, and explore new forms of collaboration that will shape future joint projects.

An especially meaningful moment for the AEPJ is the opportunity to meet Ukrainian representatives in person, after several months of online collaboration and dialogue. The AEPJ has been actively exploring ways to support the preservation and revitalization of Jewish heritage in Ukraine, particularly in the current context marked by the ongoing war. These exchanges reaffirm the network’s commitment to using cultural heritage as a bridge for dialogue, resilience, and post-conflict recovery.

Looking ahead: exploring new collaborations

On the final day of the Forum, B2B sessions will take place, providing opportunities for direct meetings between Cultural Routes representatives and ministerial delegations from EPA member States. The AEPJ will participate actively in these sessions, seeking to explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in countries where the European Route of Jewish Heritage is not yet represented. Strengthening institutional partnerships and extending the reach of the Route to new regions remains a key strategic goal for the association.

The presence of the AEPJ in Cappadocia highlights its ongoing role within the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme and its broader mission to promote Jewish heritage as an integral part of Europe’s shared cultural landscape. Through initiatives such as the Working Group on Cooperation and projects like CURV, the AEPJ continues to contribute to the development of innovative, inclusive, and sustainable models of heritage interpretation and international collaboration.