August 25–28

24th HERITAGE conference
COURSE: A Global Perspective on Heritage Along the Tierra Estella Section of the Way of St. James (III)

With the aim of collaborating on common goals—promoting cultural heritage and spreading culture throughout the region, especially in rural Navarre—the University of Navarra and Los Amigos del Camino de Santiago- programs of study Jacobeos de Estella-Lizarra signed a multi-year partnership agreement in 2023. One of the provisions of this agreement outlines a specific collaboration on heritage- subject , consisting of the joint organization of Heritage Week—a long-standing program of the association —which will celebrate its 25th edition this year.

Driven by both institutions’ shared desire to expand, as much as possible, the scope of the program not only to Estella, the capital of the district, but also to the towns located along the Camino, the program has been held on a rotating basis for the past three years. During the 2023–2024 academic year, the lectures were held in Estella, Cirauqui, Mañeru, and Villatuerta; and during the 2024–2025 academic year, they took place in Estella, Lorca, Ayegui, and Ázqueta.

In each of the towns, the respective city councils provide the “ partnership ” (pilgrimage support), in addition to the parish councils when the activity takes place in the corresponding parish. This is a joint “ work ” initiative that aims to cover all the municipalities along the Way of St. James, seeking to raise awareness among civil and religious institutions—as well as the general public—about the importance of caring for, protecting, and ensuring respect for a route that holds the highest level of cultural protection: World Heritage Site.

COORDINATORS

Ricardo Fernández Gracia, director of the Navarran Heritage and Art Association ( Chair )
Román Felones Morrás, vice president of Los Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Estella-Lizarra

 
presentation from the course in Estella with the course coordinators. Photo by Mariaje Ruiz