Tour Description
The tour amalgamates a selection of some of the most important points of cultural and spiritual attraction in south-eastern Europe and blends them with events empowering participants to ‘live’ the heritage. We shall explore the relationship between culture, spirituality and the environment, natural or built, in such natural contexts as mountains, valleys, rivers, seashores, lakes, caves, hills, woodlands, waterfalls and thermal waters or in urban or semi-urban spaces, such as cities and cemeteries. The history of religions in the territories of modern-day Albania will be traced through visits to key-monuments from the early-Christian, Byzantine and Ottoman (or post-Byzantine) periods. These enable participants to experience the grandeur of major pilgrimages in urban centres (e.g., Basilica of the Forty Martyrs, Sarandë) and the refined architectural and artistic trends of the Byzantine capital centre, alongside the frugality and modesty of cave churches and small-size family chapels appealing to the artistic tastes of a mostly rural society. Guided observation of eating, drinking and other social practices manifested in paintings and woodcarvings compared with contemporary such practices carefully selected for participants to participate will reveal both continuities and changes. Participants will also have the opportunity to ‘live’ various aspects of the cultural heritage they will experience by participating in a Vespers Church service, a series of special events, (monophonic and iso-polyphonic songs, mussels tour, cooking classes and wine-tasting) and workshops (painting, restauration and icon conservation workshop).