The project
Throughout Greece there is a plethora of ancient theatres, which are a powerful symbol of our cultural heritage. These ancient monuments, mainly located in open-air spaces, regardless of their current state of preservation and whether they are still in use today or not, constitute an important and valuable marker of each region’s local identity, as well as of Greece’s collective cultural identity, since they define the beginning of the enduring Greek theatrical tradition, which continues to this day.
Nowadays, such monuments of great importance in every respect are not regarded as isolated cultural assets or elements. They are connected with each other, forming historical and cultural entities, and are thus naturally highlighted as unique local hubs and resources that align and coexist with contemporary local life, goods, and services, ultimately constituting and being regarded as a unified functional and value-based whole.
The aim of the interregional cooperation was the design, organization, and operation of cultural routes in the areas of implementation of the CLLD/LEADER programme in Greece, focusing on the ancient theaters, so that they would form an organized network for the promotion and support of Greek culture and, more specifically, of the enduring Greek theatrical tradition. Many of these theaters have been restored for use and, particularly during the summer months, host a wide range of cultural events, turning the regions and communities in which they are located into points of reference and centers of attraction.
Cultural routes are defined and inscribed within a physical space whose characteristics influence them; they are organized on the basis of historical data and evidence and operate with the aim of highlighting and promoting other cultural, social, environmental, and local resources, thereby complementing and further enriching the unique content, meaning, and significance of these remarkable monuments.
Within the framework of the route, we establish an inseparable connection between culture and the primary sector—local products, manufacturing, tourism enterprises, local cultural production, and, of course, everyday life. The active participation of regions, institutions, organizations, and residents will create effective synergies, while also providing opportunities for local and interregional cooperation, as well as for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and know-how.
Through the implementation of this specific cooperation project, among other outcomes, the local cultural identity was further strengthened, the image and significance of the regions were highlighted, their tourism offering was enriched, and their outward orientation was improved.
The objectives
The Interregional Cooperation Project “Cultural Routes and Ancient Theaters” is implemented within the framework of Submeasure 19.3 – Interregional and Transnational Cooperation of Measure 19 “Support for Local Development through LEADER (CLLD – Community-Led Local Development)” of the “Rural Development Programme of Greece 2014–2020” (RDP).
The aim of the interregional cooperation was the design, organization, and operation of cultural routes in the areas of implementation of the CLLD/LEADER programme in Greece, focusing on the ancient theaters, so that they would form an organized network for the promotion and support of Greek culture and, more specifically, of the enduring Greek theatrical tradition.
In this way, the tourism development of the involved regions was achieved through the utilization of the unique cultural resource of “Ancient Theaters” they possess, and through its connection with the rest of the cultural heritage of their areas. To this end, the project established “cultural routes around the ancient theaters,” which incorporate the unique cultural, productive, environmental, and other characteristics of their regions.
