The future of the past: an imaginative engagement with the Roman frontiers

Offer name:

Expiry date:

15/07/2018

Offering LAG:

Association "GAL POARTA TRANSILVANIEI"

Country:

Romania

Spoken languages:

Alemán - Inglés - Francés - Húngaro - Eslovaco

Looking to cooperate with

Type of partner:

We call to joins us any EU LAG whose territory overlays Roman frontiers (limes), or at least holds a connection with Roman heritage, and sharing the belief that cultural heritage represent the most important foundation for creating and maintaining identity, belonging and citizenship values, therefore providing an understanding of the past, and a substantial tool to deal with the present and to shape the future.

Country(ies):

Unión Europea

Type of area:

Peri-Urban, Rural

Assets of the area:

Presence of relevant cultural sites

Project idea

Project type:

- Transnational cooperation
- Cross - border cooperation

Project topic:

- New technologies
- Knowledge transfer / education / training activities
- Culture & Cultural heritage
- Economic diversification
- Tourism / Territorial branding

Additional keywords:

Natural environment & Resources / Landscape; Community development

Context:

Our territory hosts an important number of Roman archaeological sites associated with the limes (auxiliary fort, watchtowers, defensive ditches, so on) that Romania’s scientific community is stretching to nominate as part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, the Roman limes in our territory is far from being properly exploited in tourism.
The project idea derived from the urge to boost local investment in heritage resources and amenities that support tourism services.
We already extended our idea to two other Romanian LAGs whose neighboring territories hold a segment of the Roman limes, and decided to expand our project-intention towards a transnational cooperation project.

Project idea summary:

The Roman frontiers (limes) is a form of easily recognizable, pan-European and widely accepted cultural heritage, a vehicle already employed in many EU economic projects.
Our proposal regards valorification of the limes in the light of newest trends in enhancing the touristic experience, through an imaginative engagement focused on the use of advancements in technology (mixed reality), and on spectacular re-enactment events.
The project aims at injecting new money into the economy, enabling small businesses to expand, creating new events and attractions, thus diversifying the local economy, and it should lead to community beautification, to positive behaviour for an active protection of heritage, and to enjoyable opportunities for both residents and visitors attracted to history.

Objectives:

To examine best practice at transnational level in using Roman heritage (especially limes) for sustainable local development through study visits and networking events.
To develop strategies for collaboration between community groups and local businesses on the use of the limes resources for tourism opportunities and economic benefit to local area.
To attract new visitor segments by implementing innovative ways of experiencing the limes, such as through new technologies (mixed reality).
To boost awareness of the limes sites through re-enactment events, and friendly transfer to society the results of survey and excavation work by building partnership with museums.
To encourage a culture of preservation, as residents and visitors to be mindful about their impact on the environment.