“An act of sheer brilliance!”, Bettany Hughes, Journalist & BBC Presenter, Prospect Magazine, 12/12/2012
The “Greek Paths of Culture” is an integrated, multi-disciplinary programme by ELLINIKI ETAIRIA - Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, which involves selecting, sign-posting and linking up a nexus of public footpaths in areas of particular environmental or cultural importance in Greece. Its implementation brings together scientists from many fields (geographers, archaeologists, historians, teachers, ornithologists), institutional players and representatives of the business / tourist industry, aiming – though highlighting landscapes – to extend the tourist season, create new jobs, improve the health of local populations and, indeed, quality of life.
The title of the programme, “Paths of Culture”, highlights its fundamental principle, that culture and the natural environment are considered as one unified whole.
Τhe “programme is ‘activated’ following a written request by the Municipal authority. Benefits are maximised for all parties involved when the Municipality supports, mobilises, informs, promotes and actively participates in the implementation of the programme. Then, a specialised associate (geographer or land-surveyor) is sent to the area, where, in collaboration with designated municipality representatives and local inhabitants, records the trails in electronic form and completes a signposting study. The next step involves the bi-lingual signposting in eco-friendly materials. Lastly, particular attention is given to the sustainability of the programme and its development over time, through actions such as the ‘adoption’ of particular paths by schools and the formation of groups or societies of ‘Path Friends’.
Communicating the “Paths of Culture” programme is of particular importance, in order to increase visibility and establish an interaction with international websites.
Specifically:
- the website of the programme www.monopatiapolitismou.gr, ELLET’s website www.ellet.gr and social media
- printed materials: maps - pamphlets
- media presentations – events
- special ad hoc communication campaigns