Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Chrysoulakis: We embrace the initiatives and actions of HCR

“Embracing the initiatives and actions of the “Historic Cafés Route”, GSGAPD is considering the conclusion of a cooperation agreement with the Cultural Organization while strongly supporting its certification by the Council of Europe.” points out in a statement Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The “Historic Cafés Route” is a remarkable initiative that connects and promotes historic cafés which have played an important role in the history and culture of many European countries. In an age dominated by digitization, the “Historic Cafés Route” has a dual function: on the one hand, it acts as the custodian of each country’s history, tradition and cultural heritage, and on the other, it is a beacon of interculturalism while promoting common European values at the same time”, mentions among others Mr. Chrysoulakis.

“I would like to express my warm congratulations to the inspirer of the initiative, founder and president of the “Historic Cafés Route” Mr. Vasilis Stathakis, who tirelessly expands the circle of European historical cafés participating in the network, claiming the certification of the Cultural Route by the Council of Europe. His vision has our undisputed support. The Greek Diaspora as well as our diplomatic missions abroad are on his side.”, adds the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement of Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis:

The “Historic Cafés Route” is a remarkable initiative that connects and promotes historic cafés which have played an important role in the history and culture of many European countries. In an age dominated by digitization, the “Historic Cafés Route” has a dual function: on the one hand, it acts as the custodian of each country’s history, tradition and cultural heritage, and on the other, it is a beacon of interculturalism while promoting common European values at the same time.

The General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs helps and supports this initiative that was born in Crete and spreads throughout Europe as an alternative cultural route, winning the hearts of more and more travellers. The ‘Historic Cafés’ have been included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, as a necessary step for their registration in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Austria and Italy follow a similar course with Greece, while all three countries are proceeding with a request for inclusion of the term ‘Historic Cafés’ in the International List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, on the initiative and under the coordination of the President of the “Historic Cafés Route”.

I would like to express my warm congratulations to the inspirer of the initiative, founder and president of the “Historic Cafés Route” Mr. Vasilis Stathakis, who tirelessly expands the circle of European historical cafés participating in the network, claiming the certification of the Cultural Route by the Council of Europe. His vision has our undisputed support. The Greek Diaspora as well as our diplomatic missions abroad are on his side.

In this context, GSGAPD, recognizing the efforts of the Cultural Organization “Historic Cafés Route”, supports the 11th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe that will take place in Chania, 5-7 October 2022. The forum will be held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic and will be attended by approximately 500 participants and heads of Cultural Routes from 50 different countries.

The “Historic Cafés Route” as a Cultural Route plays an important role in the sustainable development as well as in the promotion of the cities participating in the network, illuminating their history, tradition and cultural heritage and at the same time highlighting local production and gastronomy.

Embracing the initiatives and actions of the “Historic Cafés Route”, GSGAPD is considering the conclusion of a cooperation agreement with the Cultural Organization while strongly supporting its certification by the Council of Europe.

Ioannis Chrysoulakis

Secretary General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs