INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GASTRONOMY,CULTURE,ARTS AND TOURISM,update

 

IGCAT Newsletter First Quarter 2021 IGCAT VOICE

Wine tourism as a form of cultural tourism is closely linked with local traditions and gastronomy and is particularly important in the promotion of European identity. 2020 represented a great tragedy for the tourism and hospitality sector and 2021 is maintaining the burden of the pandemic crisis. Despite this we need to look positively at a future vaccinated world and deal with our presently armoured borders.

In this context, the Iter Vitis Cultural Itinerary of the Council of Europe has continued to work (albeit virtually) across borders in order to make obstacles become an opportunity. The philosophy of the cultural routes of the Council of Europe fits very well with the values and principles enshrined in IGCAT's work. We know that by working together across sectors and borders we can find solutions to many of our territory's challenges. The fact of being part of an international network represents an added-value for the member countries even more in these times of difficulty. Our 20 member countries have been able to count on each other to exchange winning practices, support each other and launch programs of adaptation of tourist accommodation to the highest standards. Iter Vitis has been proud to find new hard working members in emerging wine and gastronomy tourism destinations. We have been especially delighted by cooperation in the Caucasian countries, where our partners in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and Georgia have worked together to improve their own wine tourism products but also to increase safe proximity tourism, becoming an inspiring pilot for all our members. Gastronomy goes hand in hand with viticulture and the development of wine, cultural and food itineraries is unveiling a new generation of gastronomic ambassadors. As well as being an active member of Iter Vitis, Georgia would be an excellent candidate as a World Region of Gastronomy in the future. Emanuela Panke IGCAT Expert President - Iter Vitis Les Chemins de la vigne en Europe

IGCAT News

IGCAT announces 2nd European Food Gift Challenge 8 March 2021 - The European Food Gift Challenge 2nd edition will take place in Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021-2022, on 23 July 2021. IGCAT’s acclaimed contest will bring together top-quality food and crafts products from the European Region … Read more

European Young Chef Award 2021 call officially launched 3 March 2021 - IGCAT has officially announced the European Young Chef Award 2021 that will take place in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016, on 23-24 November 2021. Under the theme Innovation on Traditi … Read more

Call open for the Food Film Menu 2021! 17 February 2021 - After a successful first edition in 2020, IGCAT has opened a new call for submissions to the Food Film Menu 2021 competition to collect short food films that showcase awarded and candidate Regions of Gastronomy and their culinary herit … Read more

Europe’s travel & tourism sector welcomes Digital Green Certificate proposal 17 March 2021 - Over 60 travel and tourism organisations, including IGCAT, express their support for the European Commission’s initiative and call to ensure swift implementation in time for summer 2021. The European Tourism Manifesto alliance strongly welcomes the Euro … Read more

News from the World Regions of Gastronomy

Miniseries uncover Kuopio’s taste gems 25 March 2021 – The flavours of Kuopio, awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2020-2021 by IGCAT, are the protagonists of Battle of Tastes – Nordic Food Adventure in Savo (Makumittelö in Finnish), a short web series that promotes the Nordic diet through Finnish top- … Read more

New book collection celebrates Slovenia’s landscapes and food 12 March 2021 – Within the framework of its title year, Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021 has announced the publication of Gastronomy of Slovenia, a unique four-book collection aimed to celebrate and give international visibility to the local culinary heritage. Authored by IGCAT Expert … Read more

Coimbra fosters innovation in gastronomy tourism 11 March 2021 – Boosting innovative entrepreneurship in the food tourism sector is one of the main focuses of Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy 2021 awarded by IGCAT. In February 2021, the region opened a new call for the Tourism Creative Factory (TCF) initiative that this year is organised under the the … Read more

Hundreds of students for the Trøndelag Food Manifesto 11 February 2021 – 1500 students from 50 middle schools across Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 took part in the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Trøndelag Food Manifesto, on 11 February 2021. Developed to highlight the region’s food heritage, the Trøndelag Food Manife … Read more

Joan Roca endorses Menorca’s gastronomy APP – Oliaigua 9 February 2021 – Menorca, awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2022 by IGCAT has launched Oliaigua, a digital magazine promoting the food scene and culture of the island. Edited by the Island Council of Menorca in three languages (Catalan, Spanish and English), this … Read more

Current news from around the globe

EESC - Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship:Έγκριση της γνωμοδότησης της ΕΟΚΕ SOC / 660 "Προκλήσεις της τηλεργασίας"

 

Dear Madam,Dear Sir,At its 559th plenary session, held on 24 and 25 March 2021, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion, available in all language versions:   SOC/660- Challenges of Teleworking: organization of working time, work life balance and the right to disconnect The pandemic expedited the shift to teleworking, and it became essential in tackling the health crisis. Lessons learned from the pandemic could lead to regulations in the EU and in the Member States be amended and new regulations created so as to promote the positive aspects of telework and protect the fundamental rights of workers. The Member States, with the involvement of the social partners, need to ensure that there is an appropriate national framework for teleworking, setting out the rules of play for companies and workers interested in adopting this form of work. Aurel Laurenţiu Plosceanu President of the Section for  Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) Chère Madame, Cher Monsieur,   Lors de sa 559ème session plénière des 24 et 25 mars 2021, le Comité économique et social européen a adopté l'avis suivant, disponible dans toutes les versions linguistiques:   SOC/660 - Défis du télétravail: organisation du temps de travail, équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie privée et droit à la déconnexion La pandémie a accéléré le passage au télétravail et est devenue essentielle pour faire face à la crise sanitaire. Les enseignements tirés de la pandémie pourraient conduire à modifier la réglementation dans l’UE et dans les États membres et à créer de nouveaux règlements afin de promouvoir les aspects positifs du télétravail et de protéger les droits fondamentaux des travailleurs. Les États membres, avec la participation des partenaires sociaux, doivent veiller à ce qu’il existe un cadre national approprié pour le télétravail, qui définisse les règles de jeu pour les entreprises et les travailleurs intéressés par l’adoption de cette forme de travail.   Aurel Laurenţiu Plosceanu  Président de la section spécialisée Emploi, affaires sociales et citoyenneté (SOC)

European Economic and Social Committee / Comité économique et social européen Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Bruxelles

Θανάσης Μπούρας, Αντιπρόεδρος της Βουλής των Ελλήνων:συνάντηση με τον Υπουργό Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής, κ. Γιάννη Πλακιωτάκη

ΒΟΥΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ
ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΣ ΜΠΟΥΡΑΣ
Αντιπρόεδρος
Βουλευτής Δυτικής Αττικής – ΝΕΑ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ

Αθήνα, 31.3.2021

 

Μετά από αιτήματα των Δημάρχων των παράκτιων πόλεων της Δυτικής Αττικής, ήτοι Ελευσίνας(παραλία Ελευσίνας), Ασπροπύργου (παραλία Ασπροπύργου), Μάνδρας-Ειδυλλίας (Ψάθα, ΠόρτοΓερμενό, Αλεποχώρι) και Μεγαρέων (Νέα Πέραμος, Κινέτα, Πάχη, Αλεποχώρι), στις οποίες δραστηριοποιούνται επιχειρήσεις στη χερσαία ζώνη του παραλιακού μετώπου, ο Αντιπρόεδρος της Βουλής και βουλευτής Δυτικής Αττικής, Θανάσης Μπούρας, είχε συνάντηση με τον Υπουργό Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής, κ. Γιάννη Πλακιωτάκη.

Ο κ. Μπούρας εξέθεσε στον Υπουργό το πλήθος προβλημάτων που αντιμετωπίζουν οι εν λόγω επιχειρήσεις καθόλη τη διάρκεια της πανδημίας. Στην πρώτη φάση της πανδημίας (Μάρτιο 2020- Οκτώβριο 2020) είχαν προβλεφθεί ελαφρύνσεις, όπως η απαλλαγή από την καταβολή οικονομικού ανταλλάγματος, η άνευ ανταλλάγματος επέκταση του αρχικώς παραχωρούμενου χώρου κλπ..

Δεδομένης της παράτασης του καθολικού κλεισίματος (lockdown),από τον Νοέμβριο του 2020 μέχρι σήμερα, τα προβλήματα αλλά και οι ζημιές που αντιμετωπίζουν οι επιχειρήσεις έχουν πολλαπλασιαστεί, έτσι θα πρέπει να προβλεφθούν επιπρόσθετα μέτρα οικονομικής στήριξης και ελάφρυνσης των επιχειρήσεων.

Ο κ. Πλακιωτάκης αντιλαμβανόμενος το αδιέξοδο στο οποίο βρίσκονται οι συγκεκριμένες επιχειρήσεις, δεσμεύτηκε απέναντι στον κ. Μπούρα ότι σύντομα θα φέρει στη Βουλή νομοθετική ρύθμιση, όπου θα προβλέπονται ελαφρύνσεις και διευκολύνσεις προς όφελος των επιχειρήσεων που δραστηριοποιούνται στη χερσαία ζώνη του παραλιακού μετώπου και των εργαζομένων τους.

KREMLIN's latest news

Talks with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron


Vladimir Putin had talks, via videoconference, with Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

The talks focused on the task of consolidating efforts against a common threat, the coronavirus pandemic. In this context, the leaders discussed measures to prevent the further spread of the infection, including the outlook for the registration of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine in the EU and possible deliveries and joint production of the vaccine in the EU countries.

During an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine, the leaders confirmed the lack of alternatives to the 2015 Minsk Complex of Measures as the basis for a settlement of the internal conflict in that country. The President of Russia emphasised that it is important that the Kiev authorities implement all the previous agreements reached at the top level, primarily on establishing a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and settling the legal aspects of a special status for Donbass. The Russian leader expressed serious concern about the escalation of armed confrontation on the contact line being provoked by Ukraine and its refusal to implement the additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire coordinated by the Trilateral Contact Group in July 2020. The leaders’ political advisers will continue their joint efforts.

When talking about the developments in Belarus, Vladimir Putin pointed out that foreign interference in the affairs of that sovereign state is unacceptable.

The leaders also discussed a settlement in Libya. They noted with satisfaction that the conflicting sides complied with the ceasefire regime and expressed hope that the establishment of united transitional authorities in the country would become a major step towards an effective political process involving all the main Libyan forces.

It was pointed out that the situation in Syria continued stabilising and that one of the priority issues was the provision of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

The leaders of Russia, Germany and France unambiguously called for the preservation and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme and continued coordination of efforts towards this objective.

They also discussed relations between Russia and the EU. The Russian leader reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to restore a normal depoliticised interaction with the EU, provided there is reciprocal interest.

Regarding the issue of Alexei Navalny raised by the partners, explanations of the objective circumstances of the case were provided.

Overall, the talks were held in a business-like and frank atmosphere. It was agreed to continue working together on all aspects of the current agenda.

Meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations


Vladimir Putin chaired the tenth meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations via videoconference.
March 30, 2021
16:05
Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region

Members of the meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations via videoconference.

The meeting discussed the strengthening of Russian civic identity, the creation and promotion of ethnocultural tourism, the role of education in harmonising interethnic relations, and progress in implementing the State National Policy Strategy until 2025.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We have not seen each other for a long time; we have not met for a while because of the events we all know about, the epidemic, but I hope we will be productive today.

I would like to start with a major topic, and it is about strengthening the nation’s civic identity. There is nothing more important for Russia, or for any other country, and we know what problems many countries are facing today in this key area – on the American continent as well as on the European one.

We will also hear reports on the role of education in harmonising interethnic relations, including with regard to the social adaptation of migrant children and on creating and promoting ethnocultural tourism projects in the Russian regions. It seems that these are separate topics, but at the same time they are strongly interrelated.

But first I would like to congratulate our colleagues, Maxim Amelin, Vladimir Grigoryev and Dmitry Itskovich. They have created a unique and innovative publishing project – a multilingual anthology of contemporary literature of the peoples of Russia – and have become prize winners for their contribution to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation.

Let me add that a new stage of the competition for this prize started on March 1. Taking into account its importance, I decided to increase the prize amount to 5 million rubles.

I would also like to thank all members of our Council for being active in the drafting and subsequent adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The changes, approved by an absolute majority of citizens, have enshrined the basic principles of the state national policy; the Constitution now says a lot about it. This includes strengthening the unity of the people of Russia, ensuring interethnic accord, preserving the country's ethnocultural and linguistic diversity.

All the clauses of the updated Constitution will be followed up in federal laws. This work is already underway, as you know well. In particular, the Government, in collaboration with a wide range of experts, is working on a concept for the state language policy.

The Russian language receives special attention in the draft. You know how great its significance is for all citizens of Russia – for the socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural consolidation of society.

By the end of this year, the State Duma will adopt in the third reading amendments to the Law On the Languages ​​of the Peoples of the Russian Federation. It will reflect the state’s responsibility for preserving the native languages ​​of the peoples living in Russia, and for creating the right conditions for their study and development.

I would like to ask the members of the Council to become more actively involved in law-making, and to provide expert support for the deputies’ work in relevant areas.

Colleagues,

To successfully tackle the tasks facing the country we need not only an effective economy and competent management. For a huge multinational state such as Russia it is fundamentally, and even crucially important, to ensure public solidarity and a feeling of involvement in the life of the Fatherland and responsibility for its present and future, which is commonly referred to as Russian identity and civic consciousness.

In some countries, civic identity and ethnic identity are seen as rival notions. I believe that this approach is absolutely incorrect, to put it mildly, and absolutely unacceptable in our country. Our people come from different ethnic groups, but they have a common country, Russia.

This is also true for our national languages and customs. Our common state language and our common cultural and spiritual values and traditions, which developed over centuries, are strengthening Russia’s unity and might, and are ensuring our sovereignty and independence.

I would like to emphasise that economic and political problems are the root causes of the majority of hot spots around the world. Yes, this is so. But it is interethnic and religious intolerance that are usually incited to provoke conflicts.

We must prevent, and we will prevent any aggressive demonstration of one’s ethnic origin or disrespect for other ethnic groups in Russia, and we will not allow foreign conflicts of this kind to be brought to our country.

At this moment, over 80 percent of Russian citizens have a positive view on interethnic relations in the country. However, this matter calls for constant, I would even say daily work. In addition, we understand that this issue has always been and still remains a deeply personal and an extremely sensitive sphere. This is why I would like to say once again: we must pay close and constant attention to the implementation of the national policy, especially in the regions, and our actions must be as delicate, tactful and accurate as possible.

This is also important in connection with the upcoming nationwide Population Census, and I would like to give this a special mention. As a rule, the census takes place every ten years and it provides the most complete picture of the number and size of large and small ethnic groups, and this picture has to be absolutely objective. I am asking the Federal State Statistics Service as well as the Prosecutor General's Office to ensure people's constitutional right to freely express their will in defining their ethnicity during the census, and to strictly suppress any attempts at pressure and especially discrimination on ethnic grounds.

Dividing citizens into friends and foes is not the best example to show the younger generations. One’s civic identity, like patriotism, is not given at birth, rather these are formed later in life. They are fostered by the actions of adults, by models of their behaviour and images proliferated by the media, by our entire social environment: culture, science, and education. All this, along with the traditions in the family, contributes to the education of young people.

I cannot help but mention the recent period of the coronavirus restrictions in this connection. I started with it, and now I would like to say this again. Remarkable examples of mutual assistance, disinterested help, and solidarity regardless of one’s age, social status, ethnicity or religion – we have seen all these examples quite recently. And it is important that these examples become a moral guideline for young people, for our children.

And of course, in order to realise that they are part of a huge and beautiful country, and to love our Motherland, young generations must get to know the country, in all the diversity of its nature and geography, history, and the various cultures and traditions of our peoples.

I hope that the Tourism and the Hospitality Industry national project will contribute to achieving that; we will also talk about this today. The proposal to develop that project was supported last November, as you know. I also support your proposal, colleagues, to include measures for the development of ethnocultural tourism in that national project. We will certainly discuss this today as well.

Russia has a unique and original heritage of its peoples. It is part of our common wealth, and it should be accessible to every resident of our country, every citizen, everyone who lives on this land, and again, this primarily concerns the younger generations.

Let's move on to our agenda.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: To finish up, I would like to draw your attention to the following: the list of instructions will certainly note the need to take additional measures for the adaptation of children of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

We will also note the issues of tourism, support for the ethnocultural parks that are being established now, including methodological support at the federal level.

Of course, we will note the need to review the proposal that was just made to create a national centre for studying the history of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the proposal to extend the terms for temporary stay of minors of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

Naturally, we will again return, in this list of instructions, to the National Population Census and the need to strictly comply with Russian Federation laws. In this context, it is vital to prevent any discrimination on social, ethnic, national, linguistic or religious grounds. These are extremely important issues.

Some other proposals that I consider important were also made at our meeting. I would like to ask the Presidential Executive Office to summarise them and present proposals to be included in the list of instructions.

Colleagues, I would like to thank all of you for continuing this work and for your participation in our today’s meeting. I hope we will continue to cooperate in the future.

I do not need to repeat how important your work is for multiethnic and multi-religious Russia.

Thank you very much.

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