C.E.C.

The annual meeting of the European association CAMINO EUROPA COMPOSTELA was held on Friday, May 22, at the headquarters of the Galicia Europa Foundation, 38 Rue de la Loi, Brussels. Thirty associations representing twenty-two European countries participated. The meeting served to illustrate the activities carried out and the two flagship projects currently underway: Pilgrimage for Young People and Stars of the Jacobean Heritage. The 2025 budget was approved unanimously, and the new board of directors was appointed, with the following results:

Pascal Duchene VOTI 45
Philippe Dionnet VOTI 39
Patrice Bernard VOTI 39
Umberto Gallo VOTI 45
Fede Dewulf VOTI 42
Jorge Martinez-Cava VOTI 39
Piet Van Adrichem VOTI 45
Vedran Prazem VOTI 39

Our Pilgrim Hospitality Association has received particular praise for its work, which focuses on the values ​​of traditional hospitality, developed by our representative through intensive communication and presence in all relevant venues.

Being part of the European association is crucial because it provides a broad and comprehensive perspective on the entire Camino de Santiago scenario and allows us to connect with similar pilgrim associations and volunteers: a large network built on shared values.

Camino Europa Compostela, an association of which we are a member along with many other European associations, continues its work. On 26 November, a meeting was held during which the association’s founding principles were revisited. It was also an opportunity to welcome representatives from Ukraine and Slovenia. We are all working on projects that have as their common theme the consolidation of the European values of equality, fraternity and interculturalism. Much attention is paid to the tradition of hospitality and the promotion of sustainable tourism.

C.E.C. conducted a survey on the motivations and values that animate the various associations. The survey was based on three points:

• What projects are being worked on to consolidate European values among members;
• What is expected from C.E.C. and what has been achieved so far;
• How can we contribute to the consolidation of European values.

The research highlighted a strong commitment to strengthening European identity through collaboration, sharing values and promoting joint projects.

It is very important for everyone to keep alive the tradition of hospitality and the promotion of the Jacobean routes. It has emerged that C.E.C.’s activities have brought about a strong sense of belonging, allowed for the sharing of good practices in the sector and increased mobility on the routes.

On our website, on the dedicated PAGE, you will find an overview of what C.E.C. does and what role AP plays within it.

As we said in the August newsletter, the ADRIA CAMINO FESTIVAL took place in Sibenik, Croatia, from September 26th to 28th, and our association participated. It was an interesting opportunity to discuss the routes to Santiago originating in Eastern European countries and to analyze phenomena related to the development and evolution of pilgrimages. AP participated in the events on hospitality, a fundamental element for the existence of devotional routes, and also promoted the two most significant routes in the area: the Via Francigena and the Via Postumia. In Sibenik there is one of the most beautiful cathedrals dedicated to St. James. A long walk on part of the Croatian route was also included, with a large group of pilgrims. In an atmosphere of brotherhood and sharing, we initiated collaborative projects with representatives of associations in Slovenia, Poland, and Ukraine, and consolidated those with our traditional partners.

The 2nd ADRIA CAMINO FESTIVAL will be held in the city of Šibenik, Croatia, from September 26 to 28, 2025. It aims to be a celebration of the Camino routes, pilgrims, and the stories shared across Europe. Everyone is invited to join us to discover the existing routes in over 20 European countries.

What to expect?

With “QR Camino Europe” we’ll be able to explore the different Camino routes in Europe: by scanning QR codes in the old town, we’ll be able to watch interactive stories and receive a unique Compostela.

With “Voices of the Camino” we’ll find a panel open to pilgrims, roundtable discussions, and inspiring stories of pilgrims who have walked long distances, helped others, or experienced truly memorable journeys.

With “Camino Encounters” you can walk the local route, explore the open-air fair, meet pilgrims from all over Europe, and enjoy films, exhibitions, and much more.

The 2nd ADRIA CAMINO FESTIVAL is organized by the “Camino Europa Compostela” Federation, the Šibenik Tourist Board, and the Croatian Brotherhood of St. James. The latter is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage of the Camino de Santiago. It is the official Croatian representative at the “Camino Europa Compostela” Federation and the Universal Archfraternity of the Apostle Santiago in Santiago de Compostela.

Camino Croatia is a project that aims to promote cultural heritage and a common European identity, support the sustainable development of local communities, promote healthy lifestyle habits, and offer a unique and effective way to relieve stress. It brings together people from different segments of society and helps people find their inner peace. The first edition of the Adria Camino Festival in 2024 brought together over 500 Camino enthusiasts from across Europe for an unforgettable weekend in Pula, filled with shared stories, inspiring talks, and the energy of a true pilgrimage.

“Dear friends,
On behalf of Camino Europa Compostela, I am very honoured and delighted to wish you a very happy Saint James’ Day.
On this day, it is important to remind our members and supporters of the significance of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and, by extension, the essential role that the Camino de Santiago and pilgrims have played and continue to play in shaping the identity of our European society and spreading its values throughout the world.
These routes are places of fraternal sharing, hospitality and welcoming others in their differences and with respect. They are places that have become essential today for promoting, maintaining or rebuilding peace. They are places of freedom that must inspire us so that the future remains full of hope for our future generations.
Walking the paths of Saint James means being a stranger, a migrant crossing unknown territory, discovering it thanks to the hospitality of those who welcome them and, in return, learning to understand customs, ways of life and traditions that were unknown to them before they set out.
This ‘stranger’, who we are on the road to Santiago, also learns to become the future “hospitalero” that we will be, transformed by the road, on our return from our journey, our pilgrimage. The path shapes and initiates us. It takes us, even though at the beginning we thought we were choosing and organising it according to our needs and our ignorance of its true essence.
For some, the divine graces lavished upon us through the intercession of the apostle who joins our steps and our prayers lead us to Christ. We can also recognise this encounter in our travelling companions.
For others, the path opens the way to beautiful spiritual encounters in the broadest sense, exchanges of reflections on the beautiful values that comfort our humanity, because walking to Compostela is also an extraordinary humanistic journey.
So, on this day of celebration, let us think of all these important aspects of the Ways of Saint James and its pilgrimage, which unite us all on our own paths of life. On this day, let us spare a thought for each other and for all the pilgrims of the world, for all those who are also walking in search of a better life.
Long live Saint James and his paths! Ultreia!
Pascal Duchêne
President, Camino Europa Compostela”

For almost two years, the associations Compostelle France, the Asociación Belga de los Amigos de Santiago, the Federación española FEAACS and the Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob have been working on a wide-ranging project with ambitious and now imperative objectives to bring together all those involved in the maintenance and development of the routes and the preservation of the Jacobean tradition.
At the end of the project phase, during which the new association was chaired by the President of the Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob, Peter Hesseling, a meeting of the 20 member associations representing 13 European countries was held in Santiago on 2 July for the operational start-up phase. The Assembly appointed the Executive Committee, which is composed as follows:

• Peter Hesseling, Honorary President, Het Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob, The Netherlands
• Jorge Martínez-Cava, President, FEAACS, Spain
• Pascal Duchene, Vice-President, Association Belge Amis St Jacques Compostelle, Belgium
• Philippe Dionnet, Treasurer, Fédération Française Associations Chemins Compostelle, France
• Umberto Gallo, Assistant Treasurer, Accoglienza Pellegrina, Italy
• Vedran Prazen, Communication Manager, Confraternity of St. James, Croatia
• Patrice Bernard, Secretary, St Française Amis St Jacques Compostelle, France
• Heidi Verbruggen, Board Member, Vlaams Compostela Genootsschap, Belgium

… read the full article on the page https://www.accoglienzapellegrina.org/en/miscellaneous/1913-2/