Yerevan to host 15th CoE Cultural Routes Forum

ArmInfo. The 15th Council of Europe Cultural Routes Forum will be held in Yerevan in  2026, as reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education,  Science, Culture and Sport (MESCS), citing the meeting between the  head of the MESCS, Zhanna Andreasyan, and the Executive Secretary of  the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on  Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, Rui Gomes. The latter is in  Armenia to participate in the Cultural Crossroads International  Conference, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the  UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of  Cultural Expressions. The parties discussed issues related to the  organization of the 15th annual consultation forum, as well as an  informal meeting of the Governing Board. Topics discussed included  further cooperation between Armenia and the EPA and the possibility  of membership in new cultural routes.

Zhanna Andreasyan particularly emphasized the importance of holding  the forum in Armenia, seeing it as a significant opportunity to  present the country's rich cultural and historical heritage and  promote cultural education and international cooperation. According  to her, the event will enhance cooperation between specialists,  researchers, and policymakers, playing a significant role in  developing cultural diplomacy and promoting the country's tourism  potential.

Rui Gomes, in turn, emphasized Armenia's significant role in  promoting cultural understanding and dialogue in the region. He  expressed confidence that the forum in Armenia will be held at the  highest level.

The EPA Executive Secretary also emphasized the importance of  including a cultural education component in the forum's agenda,  noting that cultural heritage education is crucial. According to the  source, Armenia has been a full member of the EPA since 2015 and is  included in the following cultural routes: Wine Routes,  Impressionism, Paleolithic Rock Art Routes, European Cemeteries,  European Fairytale Route and European Route of Jewish Heritage.