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In Brussels, the Way of St. James receives recognition for its important contribution to the image of Europe in the world
- The head of Xacobeo, Rafael Sánchez, this afternoon collected the Aquí Europa-Vocento Award for the most outstanding cultural initiative in a ceremony presided over by Antonio Tajani
Brussels, 22 November 2017
The Way of St. James continues to expand its list of international awards, today adding the Aquí Europa-Vocento Award to its collection. In Brussels this afternoon the Jacobean route received this new distinction, in the category of cultural initiatives, for its important contribution to the image of Europe in the world.
The award ceremony, held at the House of European History, was presided over by Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, on what was a symbolic day for the Way of St. James, coinciding as it did with the end of the commemorative programme for the 30th anniversary of its declaration as the First European Cultural Route. Over the last few months, various initiatives have been run to celebrate this anniversary and reflect on its integrating values.
Rafael Sánchez, head of S. A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo, collected the award together with Almudena Hospido, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Santiago de Compostela, and Tomás Gómez-Acebo, Vice-Rector for Students at the University of Navarra.
The Aquí-Europa Vocento Awards seek to promote and recognise commendable actions aligned with the ideology and spirit of the European Union and that promote the unity and integration of the continental project. The Way of St. James has obtained this distinction as a cultural initiative. In addition, other awards were given in the fields of institution/personality, company, communicator and country.
Almost 300,000 pilgrims
This new recognition comes at a time when the Jacobean pilgrimage is achieving its greatest ever popularity. So far this year, the pilgrimage has been completed by people from 179 different countries, which leads to great cultural richness and an opportunity for development. In addition, for the very first time the Way of St. James could achieve the figure of 300,000 pilgrims in one year. Today we are already at a figure of over 297,000, which is 8.5% more than in 2016.