Bridging the Balkans:
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.viaegnatiafoundation.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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