About Atlantic Culturescape

Atlantic CultureScape launched in July 2019, bringing together 7 partners and 12 associate partners to collectively develop intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experiences that will boost the tourism offer across the Atlantic Area.

The project will identify what ICH each country has, carry out ICH research and work with local businesses to enhance their local ICH. In the final stages of the project an ICH Atlantic Area Route will be marketed to visitors across the Atlantic Area.

A major part of Interreg projects concern is transnational partners coming together to achieve a common goal.

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The Project

The ‘intangible’ element of cultural heritage has received little attention in the Atlantic Area in recent years. The Atlantic CultureScape project sets out to address this by identifying and enhancing enjoyment of authentic Intangible Cultural Heritage experiences. Bringing together seven transnational partners, the 2 million euro project will run until March 2022 and is co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme through the European Regional Development Fund.

Initially a study of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) across the Atlantic Area will be carried out in order to provide guiding principles for sustainable economic growth. The project will focus on the protection and evolution of ICH as well as its development. The creation of innovative products and an ICH Atlantic Area Route supported by a transnational marketing programme, will gain enhanced recognition and higher visibility for ICH in the AtlanticArea.

The identification of authentic cultural experiences, rooted in each of the areas ICH shall have a significant influence on the number of new visitors and tourists. It will boost economic activity by creating new businesses and increasing the number of jobs in the service sector.

What is Intangible Cultural heritage?

ICH is a living culture; the traditions, skills and customs that communities practice. Unlike more tangible elements of culture like buildings and artefacts, ICH is something you experience, it is alive. For example the spoken words of poetry and storytelling, crafts that are practised and passed down through generations and festivals that celebrate the dance and music of a country. ICH can be inherited traditions but also contemporary practices. ICH gives people, communities and countries a sense of place and identity.

Learn More About ICH

The Atlantic CultureScape project will use the following domains to group ICH across the Atlantic Area:

  • Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
  • Performing arts; Visual Arts
  • Social practices, rituals and festive events;
  • Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
  • Traditional craftsmanship
  • Gastronomy and culinary arts

Project Partners

The Atlantic CultureScape partnership comprises 7 partners and 12 associate partners from across the Atlantic Area. Each of the seven partners leads on a different Work Package (WP) that together form the Atlantic CultureScape Project.

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1

Northern Ireland

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Covering the southeast of Northern Ireland, the council’s area includes the Mourne Mountains Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has an extensive coastline stretching from Strangford Lough to Carlingford Lough.

See Work Package
2

UK

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

The Authority looks after the 520sq miles of welsh landscape that makes up the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Authority works to protect the Park’s natural beauty, help visitors enjoy and understand it and foster the wellbeing of the people who live there.

See Work Package
3

Spain

Regional Government of Cantabria

Cantabria is a mountainous and coastal region in northern Spain with a rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Highlights include the Northern Way of Saint James and the Lebaniego Way; both pilgrimage routes recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

See Work Package
4

Spain

The University of Vigo

Spanish project partner Universidade de Vigo are located within the Galician city of Vigo on the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The University are focusing on the territory of A Guarda for the purpose of the project, an area rich in culture connected to the Atlantic, to the south of the Vigo.

See Work Package
5

Ireland

Munster Technological University

Located in the South West of Ireland, Munster Technological University (MTU) is home to the V-LINC expert research group that participate in the project. MTU are also looking to develop experiences centred around Gaeltacht Mhúscraí, an area with a distinctive Irish language and unique culture.

See Work Package
6

Spain

The Andalusian Agency of Cultural Institutions

The A. Andaluza de Instituciones Culturales are passionate about the development of cultural programs. The agency looks after scenic spaces across Andalusia in southern Spain. One of the priority areas of culture is Flamenco, a unique element of Andalusian heritage.

See Work Package
7

Portugal

Rio Maior Municipality

Inland from the Atlantic coast of Portugal, north of Lisbon, is the Municipality of Rio Maior. The municipality offers visitors a variety of cultural, gastronomic and nature based experiences. A must-see are the Salinas de Rio Maior, where salt has been produced for over 900 years.

See Work Package

Associate Project Partners

About INTERREG Atlantic Area

Atlantic CultureScape is a project co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the INTERREG Atlantic Area programme. INTERREG Atlantic Area is a European funding programme that promotes transnational cooperation among 36 Atlantic regions of five European countries. The programme co-finances cooperation projects in the fields of Innovation & Competitiveness, Resource Efficiency, Territorial Risks Management, Biodiversity and Natural & Cultural Assets. www.atlanticarea.eu

VISIT WEBSITE WWW.ATLANTICAREA.EU
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