WALKING TOGETHER IN MEMORY
MAY 9 MARKS THE LAUNCH OF EUROPEAN MINING ROUTES DAY
On Europe Day, mining regions across the continent come together to tell a shared story of work, identity, and landscapes shaped by a common past. May 9 marks the debut of European Mining Routes Day—the European Day of Mining Routes—an initiative promoted by the partners of the European Federation of Mining Routes of Santa Barbara (MINES.B).
A single date, diverse territories, and a shared heritage that runs across Europe: this is the spirit of the initiative, created with the aim of walking together, on the same day, along Europe’s mining routes. At the same time, across the various regions involved in the network, excursions, walks, and events open to local communities will take place, designed to promote and enhance mining heritage through forms of slow and sustainable tourism.
The choice of May 9 is no coincidence. Europe Day represents the symbol of a shared identity, rooted in a mining past that—despite its different local expressions—has helped shape landscapes, economies, and cultures in many European countries, creating a deep connection between territories that may be geographically distant from one another.
The first edition of European Mining Routes Day is therefore conceived as a moment of collective participation and rediscovery of identity: an opportunity to strengthen the sense of belonging to a European network that recognizes mining heritage not only as a memory of the past, but also as a cultural and social resource for the future.
Alongside the excursions, some partners will also offer cultural activities, including screenings of the documentary Voices from the Mine and in-depth sessions dedicated to presenting the MINES.B network, its mission, and its goals for territorial and cultural cooperation.
