The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and the Journey of Ulysses: Shared Values and Good Practices

Abstract

The Journey of Ulysses testifies to the existence of an ancient network of relationships between the territories bordering the Mediterranean: for this reason, it is here assumed as the guiding thread of the proposal for a cultural itinerary, which, similar to the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, encourage cultural exchanges between communities and, in such a way, mutual knowledge. This contribution, starting from the exposition of these inspiring principles, aims to identify in the journey of Ulysses the values assumed by the Council of Europe as its foundation, universal values such as democracy, the rule of law and the richness of dialogue and diversity among peoples. To strengthen the hypothetical candidacy for the Cultural Routes of the Council of EuropeProgramme of Ulysses’s Journey, we make use of the analysis of certain best practices from the itineraries already certified, which with this chosen path provide common principles: the Mediterranean as an area of reference and themes. The ultimate aim of the whole proposal is therefore the establishment of a cultural path that, in line with the criteria and values established by the Council of Europe, favours knowledge, enhancement and the use of the material and intangible, cultural and natural identity of the places affected by the Itinerary.