Bridging the Balkans, Via Egnatia Karavan tour May 2009
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mariya...@gmail.com
Apr 25, 2009, 1:35:25 PM4/25/09
to balkanstudies
http://www.viaegnatiafoundation.eu
Karavan tour May 2009
The Via Egnatia Foundation aims to revitalize the old
Roman road Via Egnatia, which runs from Durrës, on the Albanian coast,
to
Istanbul. This “reanimation” takes many forms: scientific research,
cultural
exchange and practical cooperation in developing the old road into a
crossborder hiking trail. The old Roman road as a symbol of modern
cross-country communication. A way of meeting people, a way where
cultures meet
each other. A way that may ultimately become a way to friendship and
peace.
To stimulate interest in Via Egnatia we organize a
TOUR ON FOOT along the Via Egnatia, accompanied by donkeys and mules
to carry
our luggage, like an old karavan. Along the road research will be
done,
interviews made and material gathered for a book on the Via Egnatia.
The tour
will also be filmed. You can see it as a mixture of a 19th century
expedition
and a modern PR manifestation. Taking part will be people who already
are
engaged in the VEF-project, and people who are looking forward to
contributing
their skills, their knowledge, their energy and their enthusiasm to
the
project.
Parts of this old road have survived,
especially in Albania, other parts are completely lost or covered by
asphalt.
It is not always exactly known where the old trail went. However, we
are being
advised by experts on the most authentic trail. And we have explored a
large
part of the route ourselves. The Karavan tour will certainly be
characterized
by a high degree of improvisation and adventure. We will be partly
guided by
experts and local guides and partly by our own talent to improvise.
It cannot be sufficiently emphasized that this is not a tourist
endeavour/luxury tour.
At times it may even be a real challenge: think of the Roman soldiers,
the
Byzantine and Ottoman travellers.. . This tour is a way to re-live
history, but
with the backing of modern equipment.
We will walk in a group, accompanied by donkeys, in
mostly beautiful surroundings, over the remains of the old road and
along
remnants of it (bridges, bathhouses, milestones (musea), etc.), along
rivers
and mountains. At night we will camp in tents and cook our own food.
Only in
the cities will we sometimes use hotels. The whole stretch of the road
has been
divided into sections of equal distance, so there are fixed stopping-
places.
(See www.viaegnatiafound ation.eu/ trail.php)
A van will be accompanying us along another road,
carrying supplies, medical assistance, equipment, etc. The driver will
do the
necessary shopping.
Some facts:
Length of the complete road: 800 kilometres
Part that we do in May 2009: from Durrës (Dyrrachium) to Florina,
about 300
kilometres
Kilometres per day: 20 kilometres
Rest days in weekends
Necessary: a reasonably good physical condition, endurance, experience
in rough
walking
Startdate: 1st of May 2009
From: the Roman castle of Peqin, Albania
Total duration: three and a half weeks, to Florina
Minimal participation: one stage, appr. one week, see schedule
Weather: 24 C. average, sunny
How big will this Karavan-group be?
We strive for groups of minimally 20 to maximally 40 people, with 10
or
maximally 15 animals. Otherwise we will form too large a burden for
the small
villages along the trail. The composition of this group will be as
international as possible.
What will we do during the rest days in between?
In the weekends we will stop in the following places: Elbasan
(Albania), Ohrid
(Macedonia), Bitola (Macedonia) and in the end in Florina (Greece).
During
these resting days we will spend time mixing with the local
population, if
possible cultural exchange (co-ordinated with local organisation) ,
and
publicity-activitie s.
There will also be some “happenings” at the borders that we pass: we
have to
change animals there and will give some ritualistic form to this.
Who can participate in this Caravan Tour?
We are looking for people with a good physical condition and an
adventurous
mind, who share the ideas of the VEF and want to join us for part of
this walk.
Photographers, filmers, researchers, artists, donkey-drivers, vet’s,
doctors,
etc. Children who are willing to walk and dogs are also welcome.
Participants
have to realize that this will not be the kind of organised group-
travel where
everything has been arranged beforehand, and are expected to join
forces in
getting things done, cooking, putting up and taking down tents, etc.
Language:
Communication will be in all languages present. Many people along the
road
speak a little French, German , English or Italian. Speaking (some)
Albanian,
Macedonian, Greek or Turkish is a bonus, but not absolutely necessary.
Translators and interpreters are always welcome
Costs:
Participants will be asked to contribute to the costs of organisation,
rents,
the guides and locals, the accompanying car, food, etc. Hotel costs
are
excluded. Travelling expenses to the Balkans and back are also
excluded.
Provisional indication: €10 per day for participants from the
countries in the
Balkan and students; €150 per week for
people from other countries.
Registration for participation is now possible. Please
read first conditons above carefully and check
www.viaegnatiafound ation.eu/ trail.php to determine from where
to where and which
days you want to participate, then go to : application form
NB. When a
certain section of the tour stage is overcrowded or is made up of too
many
people of one nationality, we may have to turn down your application.
So please
also mark your second choice for another stage of the tour, and/or
possibly
also for participation in 2010, for the Greece-Turkey part of the
Karavan Tour.
A road is a way of transferring and connecting people,
tradesware, art and ideas.
motto of the VEF
For more information check http://www.viaegnatiafoundation.eu
Karavan tour May 2009
The Via Egnatia Foundation aims to revitalize the old
Roman road Via Egnatia, which runs from Durrës, on the Albanian coast,
to
Istanbul. This “reanimation” takes many forms: scientific research,
cultural
exchange and practical cooperation in developing the old road into a
crossborder hiking trail. The old Roman road as a symbol of modern
cross-country communication. A way of meeting people, a way where
cultures meet
each other. A way that may ultimately become a way to friendship and
peace.
To stimulate interest in Via Egnatia we organize a
TOUR ON FOOT along the Via Egnatia, accompanied by donkeys and mules
to carry
our luggage, like an old karavan. Along the road research will be
done,
interviews made and material gathered for a book on the Via Egnatia.
The tour
will also be filmed. You can see it as a mixture of a 19th century
expedition
and a modern PR manifestation. Taking part will be people who already
are
engaged in the VEF-project, and people who are looking forward to
contributing
their skills, their knowledge, their energy and their enthusiasm to
the
project.
Parts of this old road have survived,
especially in Albania, other parts are completely lost or covered by
asphalt.
It is not always exactly known where the old trail went. However, we
are being
advised by experts on the most authentic trail. And we have explored a
large
part of the route ourselves. The Karavan tour will certainly be
characterized
by a high degree of improvisation and adventure. We will be partly
guided by
experts and local guides and partly by our own talent to improvise.
It cannot be sufficiently emphasized that this is not a tourist
endeavour/luxury tour.
At times it may even be a real challenge: think of the Roman soldiers,
the
Byzantine and Ottoman travellers.. . This tour is a way to re-live
history, but
with the backing of modern equipment.
We will walk in a group, accompanied by donkeys, in
mostly beautiful surroundings, over the remains of the old road and
along
remnants of it (bridges, bathhouses, milestones (musea), etc.), along
rivers
and mountains. At night we will camp in tents and cook our own food.
Only in
the cities will we sometimes use hotels. The whole stretch of the road
has been
divided into sections of equal distance, so there are fixed stopping-
places.
(See www.viaegnatiafound ation.eu/ trail.php)
A van will be accompanying us along another road,
carrying supplies, medical assistance, equipment, etc. The driver will
do the
necessary shopping.
Some facts:
Length of the complete road: 800 kilometres
Part that we do in May 2009: from Durrës (Dyrrachium) to Florina,
about 300
kilometres
Kilometres per day: 20 kilometres
Rest days in weekends
Necessary: a reasonably good physical condition, endurance, experience
in rough
walking
Startdate: 1st of May 2009
From: the Roman castle of Peqin, Albania
Total duration: three and a half weeks, to Florina
Minimal participation: one stage, appr. one week, see schedule
Weather: 24 C. average, sunny
How big will this Karavan-group be?
We strive for groups of minimally 20 to maximally 40 people, with 10
or
maximally 15 animals. Otherwise we will form too large a burden for
the small
villages along the trail. The composition of this group will be as
international as possible.
What will we do during the rest days in between?
In the weekends we will stop in the following places: Elbasan
(Albania), Ohrid
(Macedonia), Bitola (Macedonia) and in the end in Florina (Greece).
During
these resting days we will spend time mixing with the local
population, if
possible cultural exchange (co-ordinated with local organisation) ,
and
publicity-activitie s.
There will also be some “happenings” at the borders that we pass: we
have to
change animals there and will give some ritualistic form to this.
Who can participate in this Caravan Tour?
We are looking for people with a good physical condition and an
adventurous
mind, who share the ideas of the VEF and want to join us for part of
this walk.
Photographers, filmers, researchers, artists, donkey-drivers, vet’s,
doctors,
etc. Children who are willing to walk and dogs are also welcome.
Participants
have to realize that this will not be the kind of organised group-
travel where
everything has been arranged beforehand, and are expected to join
forces in
getting things done, cooking, putting up and taking down tents, etc.
Language:
Communication will be in all languages present. Many people along the
road
speak a little French, German , English or Italian. Speaking (some)
Albanian,
Macedonian, Greek or Turkish is a bonus, but not absolutely necessary.
Translators and interpreters are always welcome
Costs:
Participants will be asked to contribute to the costs of organisation,
rents,
the guides and locals, the accompanying car, food, etc. Hotel costs
are
excluded. Travelling expenses to the Balkans and back are also
excluded.
Provisional indication: €10 per day for participants from the
countries in the
Balkan and students; €150 per week for
people from other countries.
Registration for participation is now possible. Please
read first conditons above carefully and check
www.viaegnatiafound ation.eu/ trail.php to determine from where
to where and which
days you want to participate, then go to : application form
NB. When a
certain section of the tour stage is overcrowded or is made up of too
many
people of one nationality, we may have to turn down your application.
So please
also mark your second choice for another stage of the tour, and/or
possibly
also for participation in 2010, for the Greece-Turkey part of the
Karavan Tour.
A road is a way of transferring and connecting people,
tradesware, art and ideas.
motto of the VEF
For more information check http://www.viaegnatiafoundation.eu
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