2nd and 3rd December 2024
On the 2nd and 3rd of December, representatives of numerous organisations and institutions from Slovenia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Trentino, and Lombardy, engaged in the research, preservation, promotion, sustainable development, and management of World War I heritage, gathered for a two-day study visit in Montebelluna (Veneto). This was part of the activities within the WalkOfPeace+ project under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Programme and the GOV4PeaCE project under the Interreg Central Europe Programme.
In addition to the project partners—Soča Valley Development Centre, the Walk of Peace Foundation, ZRC SAZU, Promoturismo FVG, Vegal, and Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra — and their associated partners, the event was attended by representatives of heritage and research organisations, tourism boards, municipalities, development agencies, associations, museums, and other institutions.
The purpose of the meeting was to foster mutual acquaintance among key institutions working on the shared heritage within the cross-border functional area, addressing many of the challenges posed by this significant historical legacy. The event also aimed at exchanging knowledge and experiences across various fields and exploring the heritage found in this part of the Treviso Province.
Following introductory remarks, representatives from individual Italian regions and Slovenia introduced their stakeholders and explained how heritage is managed in their areas, along with highlighting the major issues they face. This was followed by a workshop where six thematic groups discussed: promotion and tourism; management, preservation, protection and research; New projects and cooperation; Nomination of cultural heritage; Creation of products for valorization of heritage; Governance. The workshop concluded with brief presentations of the outcomes from each group.
Day one ended with a guided tour of the host museum, MEVE, and networking over dinner.
On the second day, participants embarked on guided field visits to World War I heritage sites in the Montebelluna area. The itinerary included the British Cemetery in Giavera del Montello, the Italian ossuary Sacrario Ossario Militare del Montello, the Jonathan Collection Foundation featuring a World War I-era hangar and aircraft replicas, and the French ossuary Sacrario Francese di Pederobba.
Such gatherings, which strengthen relationships, facilitate the exchange of knowledge, address common challenges, and inspire new ideas, make a valuable contribution to improving national, cross-border, and transnational cooperation. This also positively impacts the sustainable development of regions marked by the legacy of World War I. The synergy and capitalisation of two EU projects and programmes provide significant support in achieving these objectives.
