The heritage interpretation aspects of the CHRISTA Project were presented by advisory partner ECTN at the Interpret Europe Conference 2018 that took place from 23 to 26 March in Kőszeg (Hungary). This conference is part of the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH 2018). The theme of this year's conference is 'Heritage and Identity'. The question of identity is key when it comes to one's feelings towards Europe in all its diversity and one's relationship with single nation states, regions and local communities. The title of ECTN's presentation is:
"Heritage Interpretation for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Policies: Interreg Europe CHRISTA Project"
This presentation aimed to highlight the contribution of heritage interpretation to sustainable cultural tourism development and promotion, as well to identify the needs of tourist destination authorities in terms of interpretation facilities, towards promoting regional and local identity from the visitor's perspective. It is based on intermediate results of the CHRISTA Interreg Europe project in nine destinations, supported by the European Cultural Tourism Network ECTN in the frame of EYCH2018. CHRISTA Project and ECTN aim to bring the cultural tourism aspects into the Heritage and Identity Conference, the only presentation with a direct reference to Sustainable Cultural Tourism policies.
Interpret Europe, the European Association for Heritage Interpretation, has contributed to the CHRISTA project event in Sibiu, Romania, in September 2017. Interpret Europe and ECTN are members of the EYCH Stakeholders Committee selected by the European Commission DG EAC.
Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport opened the conference in the Knight's Hall of Jurisics Castle in Kőszeg.
