Conference on Heritage Conservation and Cultural Tourism in Pécs

On June 3, 2026, the 13th Training Academy of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes opened its doors at the Kodály Centre in Pécs. This international summit, attracting representatives from more than 60 countries, is organised through a cross-border partnership between the Zsolnay Heritage Management and the Osijek-Baranja County Tourism Board in Croatia.

More photos of the event are available here!

The motto of this year’s event was “Shaping Trust and Diversity,” around which the official opening speeches were structured, focusing on a shared European identity and sustainable heritage preservation. First, Márk Hummel, director of Zsolnay Heritage Management Ltd., emphasised that Pécs is a millennia-old cultural melting pot. He described cultural routes as “invisible bonds” that blur modern-day national borders. Csaba Ruzsa, Deputy Mayor of Pécs, drew attention to the importance of building trust, illustrating the excellent Hungarian-Croatian relations with a personal example.

Next, Eszter Csonka-Takács, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Directorate at the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum, extended a special welcome to the Ukrainian delegation, emphasising solidarity, and announced increased support for Ukrainian routes. Next, Tatjana Horvatic, a representative of the Croatian Ministry of Culture, focused on sustainable tourism and the European integration of lesser-known regions, such as those in eastern Croatia. Gordana Plamenac, President of the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route, emphasized the critical role of youth engagement and the importance of cross-border tourism promotion.

Following the official greetings, the introductory session moderated by Mila Lukic began. After the meeting in Pécs, the participants will continue their joint work in Osijek, Croatia.