The Cyril and Methodius Route has successfully passed the Council of Europe's recertification process and thus remains part of the group of 49 routes with this prestigious status. Since the last evaluation in 2021, the Cyril and Methodius Route has made significant progress, particularly in the area of its strategic vision and management.

This cultural route is an important bearer of European values - it emphasises cultural rights, linguistic diversity and the preservation of identity, while harmoniously linking Byzantine and Latin traditions. It is a model of sophisticated intercultural dialogue and a lasting symbol of cooperation, mutual respect and inclusiveness - the cornerstones of European unity and identity.

Currently, the Cyril and Methodius Route has 43 members from 10 countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Northern Macedonia, Slovakia and Slovenia. The members are various public institutions, scientific, cultural and educational organisations, as well as destination management entities.

The scientific and research activities of the route are coordinated by a scientific committee with 22 members from 9 countries: Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Northern Macedonia, Slovakia and Slovenia. The committee integrates expertise from fields such as archaeology, Slavic studies, research centres in 10 countries (including Austria and Spain).

The scientific committee is headed by prof. PhDr. Peter Ivanič, PhD., director of the Institute for Research of Constantine and Methodius´ Cultural Heritage Faculty of Arts CPU in Nitra and a member of this committee is also RNDr. Hilda Kramáreková, PhD. from the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Regional Development of Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics CPU in Nitra.

The committee organises professional conferences, assesses applications for membership and provides methodological and professional guidance in line with the long-term vision of the route. The Institute of Culture and Tourism Management, Cultural Studies and Ethnology of the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Tourism of the Faculty of Central European Studies are also involved in the Cyril and Methodius Route activities.

The work of the Committee was also very positively evaluated by the independent expert Dr. Aleksandar Dajković from Montenegro, who appreciated not only the project and publication activities, but also the organizational skills of the Committee. He also highlighted the importance of the scientific journal Constantine's Letters, which plays an important role in promoting professional dialogue and research. The report notes that the Cyril and Methodius Route embodies key international charters and conventions and is in line with the Council of Europe, UNESCO and ICOMOS principles on heritage, culture and human rights.

The recertification of the Cyril and Methodius Route as a Council of Europe Cultural Route represents a significant milestone in the promotion and development of a common European cultural heritage, implemented through a coordinated and professionally interconnected network of institutions and partners across the European area.

Bližšie informácie:

• Results of the 2024-2025 certification cycle: 8 routes recertified and 2 routes decertified
• Cyril and Methodius Route