ZRC SAZU presents CULTURALITY at Europe Horizon Info Day
News & events ZRC SAZU presents CULTURALITY at Slovenian Europe Horizon Information Day Subtitle On April 8, CULTURALITY partner ZRC SAZU participated in a round table at the Horizon Europe Info Day conference, titled Calls 2026: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society in Horizon Europe and Creative Europe (“Razpisi 2026: Kultura, ustvarjalnost in vključujoča družba v Obzorju Evropa ter Ustvarjalna Evropa”). Organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia, the event focused on funding opportunities and key guidance for preparing project proposals in 2026. Special attention was given to open science and gender equality requirements, which remain important elements of Horizon Europe applications. Saša Poljak Istenič presenting CULTURALITY during the information session. At the round table, Saša Poljak Istenič, Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Slovenian Ethnology (ZRC SAZU) and CULTURALITY researcher, joined representatives of the Peace Institute and Policy Lab to discuss their experience of participating in Horizon Europe research projects. Drawing on the example of the CULTURALITY project, she explained how the project was conceived, how ZRC SAZU became involved, and what role the partners play in its implementation. She also presented ZRC SAZU’s specific tasks within the project and shared practical advice on preparing a strong application, building an effective consortium, and working with partners to meet project objectives and key performance indicators. The event offered potential applicants not only an overview of the 2026 calls, but also first-hand insight into how successful Horizon Europe projects are developed and managed in practice. No Images Found! Photography: Jana Bales and Jani Kozina https://www.gov.si/dogodki/2026-04-08-informativni-dan-o-razpisih-2026-za-kulturo-ustvarjalnost-in-vkljucujoco-druzbo-v-evropi/ Share with: Previous Post
Call for Projects: Region Värmland CULTURALITY Living Lab
News & events Region Värmland CULTURALITY Living Lab Call for Projects A Call for Projects is currently open for the Living Lab in Värmland, with a deadline for applications on May 26, 2026. Region Värmland is seeking individuals who want to get involved and contribute to a stronger cultural life in rural Värmland. Examples of desired initiatives include those based on culture and cultural heritage, projects promoting crafts and handicrafts, or ideas that combine nature, culture, and tourism. More information and a submission form can be found through the link below. Kyrkerud Folk Highschool, outside Årjäng in western Värmland, where the Living Lab will be held. Following the project call, Region Värmland will organize the Living Lab event from October 5 to 9, 2026, at Kyrkerud Folk High School in Årjäng. Recently, project representative Maja Westerlund visited the folk high school to share more information about the CULTURALITY project, the Living Lab, and the various opportunities the event offers for developing new ideas. Region Värmland team members presenting CULTURALITY and the Living Lab at Kyrkerud Folk High School. No Images Found! Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) https://regionvarmland.se/regionvarmland/kultur/kulturutveckling/hemslojd/culturality/living-lab-ideutlysning Share with: Previous Post
UniOvi “Crafts and Innovation” Micro-Credential Roundup
News & events Universidad de Oviedo Crafts and Innovation Micro-Credential Roundup Subtitle From May 27 to 29, the micro-credential course Crafts and Innovation: Frameworks for Sustainable Cultural Development took place at the Casa de Cultura in Infiesto, Asturias. Organised within the framework of the CULTURALITY project, the course offered theoretical insights and practical tools for cultural and creative sector professionals. CULTURALITY researcher Ángel Antonio Rodríguez Martín from the University of Oviedo fully organised the event, accommodating both in-person and online participants. Single image. Researcher Ángel Antonio Rodríguez Martín presenting the course. Course participants working in small groups. CULTURALITY researcher Ana María Fernández García delivering her presentation. CULTURALITY researcher Santiago Rodríguez Pérez delivering his presentation. On the first day, invited lecturers Andrés Carrión García and Manuel Martínez Torán from the Universitat Politècnica de València led the sessions. They introduced business models tailored to cultural initiatives and practical tools such as the Empathy Map and Affinity Diagram. Participants applied these methodologies to entrepreneurial projects in small, participatory working groups. On the second day, CULTURALITY researchers from the University of Oviedo delivered sessions. Ana María Fernández García presented the project’s European framework and objectives, contextualising local practices within broader policies. Following this, Santiago Rodríguez Pérez explored the region’s material and intangible heritage and the contemporary challenges facing Asturian craftsmanship. Artisan Charo Cimas during her ceramics workshop. Artisan Charo Cimas during her ceramics workshop. Participants and crafts tutor during one the Oleum cosmetics workshop. Participants and crafts tutor during one the "hórreo" restorations woodwork workshop. The programme also featured field visits on Tuesday and Wednesday, connecting participants directly with local artisans and their work environments. These visits included “hórreo” restorations, the ceramic workshop of Charo Cimas, and the artisanal cosmetics workshop Oleum. To obtain an official certificate, participants are required to submit a final report, solidifying the programme’s focus on applied learning for sustainable cultural initiatives. Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) https://www.uniovi.es/estudia/titulospropios/microcredenciales/oferta/-/asset_publisher/NCtkAT4jPSMb/content/id/14154595 Share with:
Espacio Tormaleo hosts CULTURALITY #RuralEvent
News & events Espacio Tormaleo hosts CULTURALITY #RuralEvent Subtitle As part of the European project CULTURALITY, the rural event Legado Artesano is a new initiative developed by CULTURALITY partner Espacio Tormaleo in collaboration with the ecotourism festival Festival de Ecoturismo en Peligro de Extinción (“Ecotourism in Danger of Extinction Festival”). The project focuses on the preservation, transmission, and revitalization of traditional crafts and rural knowledge in the Fuentes del Narcea region of Asturias. This area encompasses the municipalities of Cangas del Narcea, Degaña, and Ibias. The initiative promotes intergenerational learning and cultural sustainability through three main activities. It begins with hands-on workshops and demonstrations of traditional crafts during the market event III Mercao Natural y Artesano on May 9. Additionally, a series of open workshops, or Obradores Abiertos, will take place throughout May. During these sessions, local artisans will welcome participants interested in learning professional craft practices. Finally, an innovation gathering, the Hackatón Artesana (Artisan Hackathon), will be held on June 6 during the Narcenatur Fair. This hackathon is aimed at discussing current challenges and future solutions for traditional rural crafts. Landscape at the Fuentes del Narcea natural park. Through these activities, the Legado Artesano initiative seeks to strengthen rural cultural heritage while encouraging new professional and creative opportunities linked to craftsmanship and sustainable local development. No Images Found! Photography: Muniellos / Wikimedia Commons https://www.ecoturismoenpeligro.es/ Share with: Previous Post
Region Värmland hosts CULTURALITY #RuralEvent
News & events Region Värmland hosts CULTURALITY #RuralEvent Folkfrossa, between June 26–28, 2026 CULTURALITY partner Region Värmland will host the rural event Folkfrossa. The event will take place from June 26 to 28, 2026, at the Brunskog open air museum in Värmland. Situated within the Craft Fair at the Brunskog open air museum, the event allows attendees to study folk costumes and folk culture through a scheduled series of workshops, talks, and courses. Folkfrossa operates as a cross-border initiative, integrating elements of Swedish, Norwegian, and Ukrainian traditions into its programming. Women’s traditional costume from the 1850s from Dalby parish in northern Värmland. Participants will have the opportunity to learn traditional sewing stitches, ribbon plaiting, and folk costume design, as well as examine various historical and regional costume types. The program is structured to accommodate both dedicated folk costume practitioners and individuals curious about folk culture, providing space for both traditional and contemporary craft expressions. Logistics and coordination for the event are managed by Kajsa Stinnerbom, Handicraft Developer (Hemslöjdsutvecklare) at Region Värmland. For more information on the event’s schedule and offerings, interested visitors can consult the official Region Värmland portal, linked bellow. No Images Found! Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) https://www.regionvarmland.se/folkfrossa Share with: Previous Post
La Ponte hosts XII Heritage Days Symposium
News & events La Ponte organizes XII Heritage Days Symposium On May 16 and 17, 2026 Within the framework of the CULTURALITY project, this year’s edition of the Heritage Days symposium “XII Jornadas de Patrimonio Cultural”, organized by La Ponte – Centro de Investigación y Ecomuséu on May 16 and 17, will focus on vernacular architecture from different parts of Europe. The symposium will take place at the Centro de empresas El Sabil (Villanueva de Santo Adriano). Traditional Hórreo building from Caliao, Asturias. Over the course of two days, researchers from a range of disciplines will explore the study of structures built using wood and plant-based materials, an essential field for the preservation of this historical and ethnographic heritage. The program features the opening lecture, “Identity Carved in Wood: Vernacular Architecture in Rural Maramureş, Romania,” delivered by Noemi Ganea, Executive Director of the Financing, Tourism and Public Relations Department of Maramureş County Council. No previous registration is required, and all inquiries can be sent via La Ponte’s email address: info@laponte.org No Images Found! Photography: Denis Soria Fernández, Wikimedia Commons (2010). https://laponte.org/agenda-de-eventos/ Share with: Previous Post
Celebrating women artisans in Asturias
News & events Celebrating women artisans “Raíz y oficio” event Round-up The event “Raíz y oficio: mujeres artesanas en el rural,” organized by the University of Oviedo, was successfully held on 8 March 2026 in Cenera (Mieres, Asturias), in celebration of International Women’s Day. The gathering created a space for exchange and encounter between artisans, researchers, and participants from the local community. It also counted on the presence of other Asturian members of the CULTURALITY consortium, including UriaXait and La Ponte Ecomuséu, further strengthening connections within the project. One of the hands-on activities led by a participating artisan, encouraging shared learning and exchange. Throughout the day, various activities encouraged dialogue around the role of women in craft practices and their contribution to rural contexts. The program combined moments of discussion, shared learning, and collective reflection. Guest speakers contributed diverse perspectives, while the participation of artisans, such as textile artisan Paz Mesa, brought practical insights rooted in lived experience. Textile artisan Paz Mesa delivering a talk as part of the programme. Participants engaging in a collective activity, following the collaborative spirit of the event. One of the highlights of the day was the collective artistic activity, which symbolized the shared values at the core of the initiative. In the afternoon, the opening to the public allowed for broader engagement, with conversations addressing the links between craftsmanship, territory, and cultural sustainability. The day closed in a warm and participatory atmosphere, featuring music and a display of local craft production. Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) https://www.xunta.gal/es/notas-de-prensa/-/nova/022196/xunta-presenta-asturias-estrategia-apoyo-artesania-galicia-con-motivo-8-marzo Share with:
UniOvi introduces Crafts and Innovation Micro-Credential
News & events Crafts and Innovation A New Micro-Credential Course for Sustainable Cultural Development The University of Oviedo has announced the launch of the course “Crafts and Innovation: Frameworks for Sustainable Cultural Development”, a new training initiative designed to support artisans and cultural professionals in Asturias, as well as anyone interested in building connections across culture, history, geography, ethnography, product design and business models. The course will take place during the last week of April at the Casa de Cultura in Infiesto (Piloña, Asturias), with the possibility of attending online depending on the chosen enrolment option. It is coordinated by the Department of Art History and the CULTURALITY project and brings together a multidisciplinary teaching team from the University of Oviedo and the Chair of Crafts at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The course is coordinated by Ángel Antonio Rodríguez Martín. With a total workload of 50 hours, the programme aims to contribute to rural revitalisation by building on the rich tangible and intangible heritage of Asturias. It focuses on supporting craft-based initiatives that balance tradition and innovation, addressing key topics such as identity, territory, communication and content creation. By the end of the course, participants will have acquired practical tools to improve the visibility of their projects and to address common social and professional challenges within the sector. This course is part of the European Micro-Credentials framework, officially recognised under the European Qualifications Framework and integrated into Spain’s higher education system. As such, it represents a flexible and inclusive learning opportunity open to participants of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of whether they have previously accessed higher education. Pre-registration will be open from 13 to 16 April, while enrolment will take place from 17 to 22 April. Full details about the course, including requirements and registration procedures, can be found here. Through this initiative, the University of Oviedo and the CULTURALITY project aim to create a space for knowledge exchange and collaboration, where traditional craft practices can engage with contemporary challenges and opportunities. No Images Found! Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) https://www.uniovi.es/estudia/titulospropios/microcredenciales/oferta/-/asset_publisher/NCtkAT4jPSMb/content/id/14154595 Share with: Previous Post
From AlpTextyles to Culturality
News & events From AlpTextyles to Culturality Rozman Award Recognition as a Model of Practice-Based Heritage Work The Faculty of Design in Ljubljana has granted the Rozman Award recognition to the team behind the Alp Textyles textile school, acknowledging their expertise, commitment, and collaboration in enabling and delivering hands-on work in textile techniques and design. The ceremony took place on 22 January at Center Rog, where the award was presented to CULTURALITY researcher Katarina Šrimpf Vendramin, Handicrafts centre Škofja Loka coordinator Kati Sekirnik, and artists involved in CULTURALITY project: Anja Musek, Lili Panjtar and Andreja Stržinar (among others). Alp Textyles project (Interreg Alpine Space programme, 2022–2025) aimed to bring together Alpine textile ecosystems to strengthen the knowledge base for research and education, support heritage sensitive and circular approaches, and contribute to regional development. It demonstrated an effective practice-based approach to project work by connecting specialist knowledge, field practice, and textile heritage. ZRC SAZU contributed research-based expertise on cultural heritage and supported the project’s engagement with crafts knowledge and heritage practices. The project has now concluded, but the approach is being taken forward in the CULTURALITY project where we build on collaboration with craftspeople and develop tourism in rural areas through locally grounded skills, knowledge, and cultural practices. No Images Found! Photography: Loti Kavšek (External evidence link) Share with: Previous Post
CULTURALITY contributes to debate on heritage and tourism
News & events CULTURALITY contributes to international debate on heritage and tourism in Aix-en-Provence Subtitle On 31 January 2026, two members of the University of Oviedo team of the CULTURALITY project participated in the International Conference “New Challenges for Underwater Nature and Cultural Heritage Tourism during the Ocean Decade”, held in Aix-en-Provence, France. The conference brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to reflect on evolving models of cultural and nature-based tourism in the context of climate change, sustainability transitions and shifting relationships between communities and their own heritage. CULTURALITY took part in the Special Session “Horizon Europe TOURAL”, organised within the cluster of Horizon Europe projects focused on tourism, cultural heritage and sustainable development. This session created a shared space to present ongoing research and exchange perspectives on how European-funded initiatives are rethinking tourism practices across different territories. During the session, Ángel Antonio Rodríguez Martín, member of the University of Oviedo team, presented the paper “Touching the Land: Rural Craft as a Tool for Deep Experiential Tourism”, co-authored with a colleague as part of the project’s research activities. The presentation explored the concept of post-extractive tourism, an approach that moves beyond models based primarily on consumption and resource exploitation, instead foregrounding care, reciprocity and meaningful engagement with the landscape. Drawing on CULTURALITY’s work with rural artisans, the paper argued that craft practices can foster forms of deep experiential tourism rooted in first-hand material knowledge, local identity and long-term territorial resilience. In addition to the paper presentation, the team also presented a poster entitled “CULTURALITY: Craft-Based Approaches to Rural Resilience”, offering an overview of the project’s objectives, methodology and territorial focus. The poster was primarily designed by Enrique Meléndez Galán, member of the University of Oviedo team. Lucía Pérez Fernández attended the conference as the poster representative and joined the discussion following the session, engaging with participants and responding to questions about the project’s framework and ongoing activities. Conference Poster offering an overview on CULTURALITY. The conference provided an important opportunity to situate CULTURALITY’s research within broader international conversations on heritage, sustainability and tourism innovation. It also reinforced the value of collaborative spaces such as the TOURAL cluster in strengthening connections between sister projects. These exchanges are continuing to develop productively, with further joint dissemination activities and events already being planned. Photography: (Photographer/s’ name/s) AMU UNESCO Chair International Conference 2026 – New challenges for UW nature and cultural heritage tourism during the Ocean Decade Share with:
