The Experience from the EU Project: “Olkas from Aegean to the Black Sea. Medieval

Ports in the Maritime Routes of the East” Possibilities for analogous practice in the

Adriatic Ionian Region

Flora KaragianniDr Archaeologist

Head of the Office for the Promotion of Scientific ResearchEuropean Center of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments

Project: “Olkas. From Aegean to the Black Sea. Medieval Ports in the Maritime Routes of the East”

Joint Operational Programme “BLACK SEA 2007-2013”

PARTNERSHIPLEADER European Center of Byzantine and Postbyzantine Monuments (GREECE)

PARTNERS Culture Center of Thessaloniki. Center for the Study and Development of

the Greek Culture of the Black Sea (GREECE) Istanbul University (TURKEY) Cultural Awareness Foundation (TURKEY) Varna Regional Museum of History (BULGARIA) Archaeological Museum of Constanta (ROMANIA) Hellenic Foundation for Culture. Branch Odessa (UKRAINE) G. Chubinashvili National Research Center for Georgian Art History and

Heritage Preservation (GEORGIA)ASSOCIATES Russian National Committee for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (RUSSIA) Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (UKRAINE) Institute of Archaeology of the Romanian Academy (ROMANIA) Administration of the State Historical Architectural “Icherisheher”(AZERBAIJAN)

Main Priority:Support cross border partnerships for economic and social development based on combined resourcesCreation of tourism networks in order to promote

joint tourism development initiatives and traditional products

Aim: The contribution to the development of cultural tourism in the wider region of Aegean and Black Sea and the increase of its economic effect in the life of local communities.

Specific Goal: The creation and establishment of a viable network of inter-state cooperation among several bodies who will work together on the promotion of the cultural heritage preserved in their region.

Period of implementation: 2012-2013

Total Budget: 694.800€

MAIN ACITIVITIES1. Documentation of 32 medieval ports of the Northern Aegean-Black Sea Area

2. Know-how, experience and good practises exchange: (a) international scientific symposium;(b) seminars; (c) meetings- educational missions.

3. Creation of cross boarder cultural - touristic products: (a) Production of a documentary film as an archaeological tour to the ports; (b) Organisation of an exhibition which will be transported to several ports (c) educational programs for the students who live in these city-ports

(d) development of project’s outputs.

4. Viability of the projects outputs: (a) Establishment of maritime routes as a result of the cooperation among the

partners who represent all the countries of the region ; (b) Dissemination of project’s outputs to the wider areas, through the

involvement of local authorities in the events and the productive material (websites, exhibitions, documentary films);

(c) Creation of policies for a common future in the field of cultural tourism in the area.

Documentation of 32 medieval ports

Thessaloniki , Anactoropolis, Chrysoupolis, Cavala, Thasos,

Maroneia, Avdera, Anastasioupolis, Istanbul,

Cape Kaliakra , Kavarna ,Balchik,Kranevo, Varna, Byala, Obzor,

Nesebar, Pomorie, Burgas, Sozopol, Ahtopol,

Batumi, Tsikhisdziri-Petra, Gonio, Constanta, Histria, Mangalia,

Belgorod-Dnestrovsky, Odessa, Sevastopol (Chersonesos), Feodosiya,

Kerch

TURKEY

PORTS OF BOULGARIA

Varna

Bourgas

Nesembar

UKRAINE -C R I M A I A

Cembalo (Balaklava)

• Target group(s)

• Local communities (hotels, restaurants, transportation agencies, souvenir shops)

• The national agencies-institutions activated in the field of tourism and culture

• The international academic community

• Historical archives, libraries, museums and database management

Expected impacts

-Contribution to the “Blue Growth” of the region by promoting coastal tourism and activating sea shipping as a vehicle in the service of tourists

- Co-ordination and upgrade of institutions’ administrative skills in regional - local level;

-Production of specialised tourist - cultural products of high standards and cross-border scope, with international fame.

-Activation of direct communication among these ports by establishing maritime routes organized either by state or by private companies.

2nd Call of the Black Sea Program

• “Lemen: Cultural Ports from Aegean to the Black Sea”

• Aim: The organization – promotion and pilot operation of the institution: “Cultural Port of the Black Sea” that with the vehicle of cultural tourism will secure a sustainable growth of local communities through the implementation of many events with the participation in them of many visitors- travelers

• The establishment of a network which starting from the promotion of cultural resources of the city-ports will create conditions for promotion and support of small and medium enterprises that are active in tourism and traditional manufacturing

• Establishment of cruises among the countries of the Black Sea with stops in the main city-ports of the area.

Adriatic Ionian Region: Opportunities for Blue growth

The Sustainable management of a unit such as Adriatic Ionian region, can rely heavily on the role of the overall management of cultural resources in the region in terms of environmental conditions, land use, social cohesion, policy and economy.

• It is important to identify and secure a development plan of an integrated character in terms of planning and funding, taking into account the basic axis of the results of a strategic plan for the area as a whole.

• These development plans that are already proposed in separate groups/subjects and support this strategy can contribute effectively in this direction and perhaps to other groups that will be proposed.

• One of these groups/subjects is Cultural Tourism

The role of Cultural Tourism

• Since domestic and international tourism is among the foremost vehicles for cultural exchange, conservation should provide responsible and well managed opportunities for members of the host community and visitors to experience and understand that community's heritage and culture at first hand.

• The relationship between Heritage Places and Tourism is dynamic and may involve conflicting values. It should be managed in a sustainable way for present and future generations.

• Conservation and Tourism Planning for Heritage Places should ensure that the Visitor Experience will be worthwhile, satisfying and enjoyable.

• Host communities and indigenous peoples should be involved in planning for conservation and tourism.

• Tourism and conservation activities should benefit the host community.

• Tourism promotion programmes should protect and enhance Natural and Cultural Heritage characteristics

The principles of the Cultural Tourism Charter that should be served as a minimum are the following:

Possibilities of analogous practice in the Adriatic –

Ionian region

• The area is rich in cultural heritage and many of its ports preserve very important monuments and archaeological sites

• Historically, this area was a link between East and West• During centuries it served as a network for communication between

different places of the world, for exchanging products, ideas, cultural traces, and for the transportation of individuals, artists, pilgrims, tradesmen etc.

• The revival of this network linked to the promotion of the cultural heritage

preserved, can and will help the coastal countries to be benefited from it. The establishment of inter-communication, exchange of ideas and cultural values as well, can serve as a main factor who will secure blue growth and sustainable economic development of the region.

• Basic factor: the cooperation under an equal basis of all the countries involved, who will benefited from the activities implemented.