Who We Are

Mary's Route is first and foremost a community.

Our network brings together volunteers, local associations, municipalities, cultural institutions, tourism professionals, and international partners who share a common vision: preserving and promoting Europe's cultural heritage while strengthening cooperation across borders.

We believe that cultural routes are living spaces where heritage is experienced rather than simply observed. Through community events, educational programmes, volunteering, and international youth exchanges, we encourage people to engage actively with local traditions, landscapes, and one another.

By connecting people with nature, culture, and local communities, Mary's Route creates opportunities for lifelong learning, intercultural dialogue, and responsible tourism. Every journey contributes not only to the discovery of new places, but also to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage that makes Europe unique.

Marian Devotion in the Folk Music in Transylvania and Moldavia

Organised by Mary's Route in cooperation with its Romanian partner, this international conference explored the relationship between Marian traditions and the rich folk music heritage of communities in Transylvania and Moldavia. Bringing together researchers, cultural professionals, and local experts, the event examined how traditional songs have preserved collective memory, regional identity, and centuries-old cultural values across generations.

The conference created a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, highlighting folk music as a living form of intangible cultural heritage rather than simply a historical source. By connecting academic research with local cultural traditions, participants gained a deeper understanding of how music continues to strengthen community identity and contributes to the preservation of Europe's diverse cultural heritage through cross-border cooperation.

Exploring the European Cultural Routes Programme with Future Tourism Professionals

Mary's Route delivered guest lectures at Corvinus University of Budapest and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), introducing tourism students to the European Cultural Routes Programme and the opportunities it offers for international cooperation. The presentations provided practical insights into how cultural routes contribute to heritage preservation, sustainable tourism, and regional development through cross-border partnerships.

Beyond presenting the network itself, the lectures encouraged students to view cultural routes as innovative tools for shaping the future of tourism. Through open discussion and real-life examples from Mary's Route, participants explored how research, international collaboration, and local community engagement can work together to create meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences across Europe.

Living Library Sessions

Sharing Knowledge Through Cultural Routes

As part of one of Mary's Route's conferences, a Living Library session brought together representatives of European Cultural Routes operating in Hungary to meet with university students in an interactive workshop setting. Through personal conversations and practical case studies, participants gained insight into the management of cultural routes, sustainable tourism initiatives, heritage preservation, and the organisation of international events.

The session encouraged students to explore cultural routes not only as tourism destinations but also as fields of research, innovation, and international cooperation. By creating direct dialogue between experienced practitioners and young people, the Living Library highlighted the importance of scientific inquiry, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable cultural tourism.

Religious Tourism Forum

Understanding Visitors Through Research

Mary's Route participated in the Religious Tourism Forum, bringing together researchers, tourism professionals, cultural organisations, and destination managers to exchange knowledge on current trends and challenges in cultural and pilgrimage tourism. The event provided a valuable opportunity to discuss visitor expectations, changing travel habits, and innovative approaches to developing sustainable tourism experiences.

For Mary's Route, the forum was an important platform for understanding the needs and motivations of different target groups. The insights gained support the continuous development of our programmes, helping us create more engaging experiences, reach new audiences, and strengthen the role of cultural routes as accessible and sustainable destinations. By combining research with practical experience, the forum reinforced the importance of evidence-based cooperation in shaping the future of cultural tourism.

Researching Young People's Expectations of Cultural Tourism

To better understand the interests and travel preferences of younger generations, Mary's Route conducted an international survey on cultural tourism among more than 700 university students, including Hungarian participants, Erasmus+ exchange students, and young people from outside Europe. The research explored attitudes towards cultural routes, sustainable tourism, travel motivations, and expectations of future tourism experiences.

The findings are currently being analysed and will form the basis of a research study designed to support the future development of Mary's Route and other European Cultural Routes. By providing evidence-based insights into the needs of young travellers, the project aims to help cultural routes create more relevant programmes, strengthen international cooperation, and engage new generations in Europe's shared cultural heritage.

Research and Networking at the Pentecost Heritage Festival

Mary's Route participated in the Pentecost Heritage Festival at the Szentendre Open-Air Ethnographic Museum (Skanzen) as an opportunity to observe how living cultural heritage can be successfully presented to contemporary audiences. The event brought together cultural organisations, heritage professionals, artisans, and local communities, providing an inspiring environment for exchanging ideas on heritage interpretation, visitor engagement, and community participation.

Beyond showcasing traditions, the festival served as a valuable platform for professional networking and knowledge exchange. By studying good practices in the presentation of folk culture and engaging with organisations working in heritage preservation, Mary's Route gained new perspectives that support the continuous development of its own programmes and strengthen cooperation within the European Cultural Routes network.

Research helps us understand.
Cooperation helps us grow.

Together, they shape cultural routes that connect people, knowledge, and Europe's shared heritage.