The Ancient Cult Sites for Common Identity on the Baltic Sea Coast (Cult Identity)

Title	The Ancient Cult Sites for Common Identity on the Baltic Sea Coast
Abbreviation	Cult Identity
Project number	CB35
Programme	Central Baltic program INTERREG IVA

1. Riga Planning Region (Latvia) (lead partner)
2. Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
3. Kurzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
4. Zemgale Planning Region (Latvia)
5. The County Museum of Gävleborg (Sweden)
6. Hiite Maja Foundation (Estonia)

Project objectives

To increase the attractiveness of the region through improving cross-border cooperation the management and accessibility of the ancient cult sites – a joint cultural heritage element in the Baltic Sea Region.

Activities

1. Mapping and documenting the ancient cult sites (ACS) based on common criteria/methodology to obtain common overview and data about the number, nature, character and history of ACS in the region for a complete scope and nature of sites to be managed and promoted.
2. Joint strategic planning for management and development of ACS to ensure that management and development of them is based on the best know-how of partners, employing new solutions generated in the joint planning process and serving the common purpose of preservation and utilization of ACS to enhance transnational cultural cooperation exchange.
3. Development of pilot-routes - elaboration of the e-museum of the Ancient Cult Sites of the region is selected to ensure that identified ACS are integrated and complementing the existing tourism routes, potential tourists know about them to generate the demand for such tourism products and diversifying tourism products.
4. Introducing the tourism route of ACS in the region to tourist guides and journalists through pilot study visits and tours is incremental for raising the awareness of the tourism operators and guides for the mapped and improved ACS.
5. Participation in tourism fairs-to promote ACS situated in the region to a wider audience of potential incoming tourists - effective for reaching tourism operators of participating countries.

Results

1. New approaches, solutions, joint strategies and partnerships for sustainable management and promotion of the ancient cult sites will be developed.
2. ACS will be mapped and documented and integrated into exiting tourism routes of the region.
3. ACS will be made available for visitors and guests and promoted internationally giving new stimulus for tourism development in the region.
4. Interaction among inhabitants of partner regions in join culture festivals based on joint cultural heritage strengthened laying grounds for durable contacts among partner regions in future.

Implementation period

January 2011 - September 2013

Contacts

Olita Landsmane
Mob. tel.: +371 29171020
e-mail: olita.landsmane@vidzeme.lv