Policy Conference:
Connecting Reformation Heritage in Central Europe
28.11.2017: 110 Participants gathered in Erfurt, Germany, to discuss Reformation as European Process
The Policy Conference celebrated and highlighted the transnational and diverse character of the Reformation across Europe and the value of its cultural heritage.
Starting with the European dimension of the Reformation by presentations on the Waldensians, Jan Hus, Primoz Trubar and Huldrych Zwingli in the morning, the focus switched to cultural heritage and European Cultural Routes in the afternoon. Presentations highlighted the meaning of cultural values for tourism, introduced the concept of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, pictured experiences from the existing Transnational Network Transromanica e. V. and showed possibilities for linkages with the European Cultural Heritage Year 2018.
On this basis ECRR and the future "Routes of Reformation" were presented including the revelation of the brand new corporate identity as well as voices on different motivations for joining the "Routes of Reformation". In an ceremonial act 21 stakeholders signed a Declaration of Intent to realize the "Routes of Reformation".
In the evening the focus was widened again in the frame of a Panel Discussion on "Religion - Reformation - Society - Social values: The inter-religious Dialogue in Europe Nowadays" with prominent guests:
Bodo Ramelow, Thuringian Prime Minister
Aiman A. Mazyek, Central Council of Muslims in Germany, Cologne
Hermann Simon, former Director of the Center Judaicum in Berlin
Hubertus Staudacher, Commissary of the Bishopric of Erfurt for the relations with the Islamic community
Bishop Michael Bünker, General Secretary of the Association of Evangelical Churches in Europe (GEKE), Vienna
Synopses of the presentations:
Jan Hus and the early phase of Reformation in Bohemia
The Reformation in Slovenia and its effects on the national identity and language
View on the European dimension of Reformation
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: A unique programme to connect heritage and tourism
The Establishment of a European Cultural Route of Reformation - Perspective of a Regional Association of Tourism and its Experience Regarding the Transnational Network Transromanica e.V.