MYCYAR: MYCENEAN AND CYPRIOT ANCIENT ROUTESPremises - The European program "Europe for Citizens" - offers the opportunity to local authorities to build and develop a network of Italian and European municipalities representing an opportunity for the discussion and exchange of good practices on issues of common interest and to act as a "starting point" for the joint submission of new project ideas. The network to be created should be based on pre-existing relationships (even in infancy) among the participating municipalities and must involve institutions from at least 4 countries, including those who may participate in the program (all EU countries, Croatia, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia). The network to be created by this project idea is inspired by the links and relations which exist since the fifteenth century BC in the Mediterranean along the trade routes of the ancient peoples of the Aegean Sea. Recent archaeological findings show that the people of Mycenae and Cyprus had established solid relationships with numerous islands in the Mediterranean along a route that led from Cyprus and Crete to Sicily, Sardinia and Spain. This presence in different countries, and the constant contact ate the same time with the mother country and with the other civilizations as well as the intense cultural (and commercial) exchange which has followed, it gave to the Aegean people the role of middlemen, intermediaries, or better, cultural unifiers, so, if one side they have exported, on the other side they have absorbed the features of many people with whom they came in contact. This is the highlight of this civilization where different cultures and tolerance merge and blend, creating a community of cultures. Today, after thousands of years and is still possible to build those paths marked by the ancient Mediterranean routes which, in history, have typically contributed to the spread of culture and the peaceful coexistence of peoples. The project MYCYAR "Mycenaean and Cypriot ancient routes" is to (re) promote this Mediterranean culture proposing to strengthen ties with the Mediterranean countries to which the past history we share. The project is in fact based on historical relationships, social and cultural relations that the Mycenaean and Cypriote established along the sea routes and along the docks in the Mediterranean basin. The main goal is to revisit this intense cultural exchange in a modern way, rearranging our focus on the needs of society and the cultural-political debate within the European Union and turning it into a vector to deepen the level of integration and cohesion of these European regions and among their citizens. The theme of historical commonalities will not be the unique; the project will support intercultural exchange and mutual understanding, protection and enhancement of natural resources, energy efficiency and slow and sustainable tourism. Objectives - This project proposal has the following objectives:· Sharing of experiences and discussion of good practices with regard to the priority areas in the European political debate (preservation of natural resources, sustainable tourism, European citizenship and democratic participation, energy efficiency), shaping the debate on the basis of the specificity of partnership and shared resources (historical commonalities, the presence of archaeological, environmental and climatic conditions, etc..); · Strengthening the linkages and/or construction of new links (twinning, partnership) between the partners;· Reflection on cultural identity and strengthening by the local communities of the concept of European citizenship and the sense of belonging to the European Union;· Strengthening the active participation of citizens in local communities;· Discussion and elaboration of new joint project ideas, such as the construction of a new tourist routes itinerary along the ancient Mediterranean civilizations sites.Methodology- This proposed project includes the organization of 4-5 events lasting about 3 days each, which will be held in different locations across Europe. Each event will focus on one of the issues mentioned above, precisely in relation to the characteristics and resources of partners. Within each event, each of these issues will be considered and analyzed in its specific aspects. As an indication the issues at stake are the following:· Volunteer and active participation in local communities: the role of citizens in the development of cultural and historical exhibits; · Enhance the area: non-invasive approaches and respectful environment practices in the context of EU environmental policies; · Energy sustainability: local politics and individual contributions to the reduction of waste; · Travel slowly and responsibilities: innovative approaches to sustainable tourism and quality.Within each event will be realized the following activities:· Seminars and conferences open to the general public;· Workshop to share experiences and good practices;· Cultural Workshops;· Exhibitions, artistic performances and other initiatives;· Round tables for future project ideas;· Elaboration of publications to raise awareness for intercultural dialogue, the preservation of natural resources and energy efficiency;· Other.Moreover, in each event the active participation of all citizens will be encouraged even to build partnerships between cultural organizations, museums and associations of civil society. During the project it will be launched a photo competition which will be divided into 4 sections, each one of them in accordance with the 4 themes of the project. Selected photographs will be exhibited in a traveling exhibition.Target GroupThe beneficiaries of the project are:· Local Administrators;· Cultural associations and associations of civil society at large;· Museums;· Young;· Elderly;· Local communities at large.For the organization and implementation of each project activity it will be adopted a participatory approach, trying to involve as many as possible representatives of associations of civil society through the creation of some ad hoc coordination tables. The initiatives will aim to reach as many people as possible, especially among the younger population ranges. Is necessary to have a PIC Number.More info:
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