General information about project “Cult Identity”

Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007 – 2013
Priority 3: Attractive and Dynamic societies

Project CB35 „ANCIENT CULT PLACES FOR COMMON IDENTITY ON THE BALTIC SEA COAST”
(Project acronym: “Cult Identity”)

Lead Partner: Riga Planning Region is the Lead Partner of the Project and the project will be implemented in close cooperation with following partners:

Partners:
LATVIA: Zemgale Planning Region
LATVIA: Kurzeme Planning Region
LATVIA: Vidzeme planning Region
ESTONIA: Hiite Maja Foundation
SWEDEN: Gävleborg County museum

Project duration: 33 months

Implementation period: 02.12.2010. – 31.08.2013.

Total project budget: Project is co-financed by Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007 – 2013and its total budget is 1,088,240 EUR, including
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) co-financing: 903 444 EUR
Project partner co-financing: 184 796 EUR

Project objectives

The projects towards the ancient sites / sacred places are determined to be nature environmental objectsthat are not related to sacred architecture.

Project objectives are:

• provide accessibility to information and knowledge about ancient cult places, promote environmental activities and increase interest of communities on ancient sacred sites as a valuable heritage of culture and traditions,
• promote ancient cult sites / sacred places attracting tourists and other interested persons as well as representatives of tourism’s business and developing marketing of new tourism destinations,
  provide long-term development of business environment and making objects attractive for local inhabitants and guests.

Philosophy of the project

Ancient cult places are very important element of cultural heritage; however they are researched, tended as well as published very little until now. It is the main reason, why most of these objects are not identified as cultural-historical value, which characterizes the region, and they are not used for raising of environmental, cultural and historical awareness, for development of interesting destinations of tourists and development of local business environment by providing of different services.

Expected results

• Documents comprising summarized information about selected objects (location, condition, availability etc) in the participating regions, digital map, publications about common identity of the Baltic Sea region, summarized related information to objects (historical data about each Object, folklore, rituals, symbols) and its surroundings,
• analyzed common historical formation of ancient cult sites, assessment of objects’ usability and condition in the Baltic Sea Region, studies on common historical identity,
• elaborated common development and management strategy for ancient Cult places in the Baltic Sea region accordingly to the Baltic Sea Region Strategy,
• developed pilot-rotes in involved regions, brochures with description of the Objects, maps etc.,
• developed virtual museum including digital map and summarized information about selected objects,
• provided recognition of touristic routs and cult sites,
• developed new common tradition – Festival of Baltic Sea Region Identity.

The role of Riga planning Region in the implementation process

Riga planning Region is the lead partner of the project and it is responsible for project administration, financial control and coordination, organization of publicity events etc. Additionally, Riga Planning Region is responsible for implementation of several substantive activities covering Riga Region: selection of objects, development of pilot-routes, development of e-museum etc.

The total budget of Riga planning region: 217 480 EUR

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