BackAnnual Forum 2025 – Routes That Resonate: Tourism and Culture as Bridges in the Baltic Sea Region
The Policy Area Culture, in partnership with PA Tourism organised a joint session at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2025: “Routes That Resonate: Tourism and Culture as Bridges in the Baltic Sea Region”. The session focused on how cultural routes can connect people, places, and shared histories — building not only tourism potential, but also intercultural understanding.
Highlights from the speakers
- Stefanie Bischof (Hansa Route) shared how the historic Hanseatic network has evolved into a living platform of cooperation and cultural exchange. Each year, the International Hanseatic Day brings cities, reenactment groups, and communities together — proving that “the essence of the Hansa Route is people meeting.”
- Bartosz Odorowicz (Liberation Route Europe / Museum of the Second World War) spoke about the importance of experiencing history, not just reading about it: “Museums have a responsibility to fight disinformation by providing reliable facts.” The Cycling Through History project connects beautiful landscapes with local heritage — turning remembrance into experience.
- Katri Tenetz (Sauna Route Association) reminded us that intangible heritage can unite people in unique ways. Saunas, she said, are “spaces of living heritage, wellbeing, and peace – where everyone leaves their titles at the door.” She also reflected on the “Cultural Route” label itself — acknowledging that while it may not yet be widely known, it provides a valuable framework and recognition that helps strengthen cooperation, visibility, and access to funding.
- Alina Buddensiek (Hochschule Wismar) presented among others the Back2Woods project, showing how culture, innovation, and sustainability can intersect to create meaningful experiences that root people in place while inspiring forward-looking ideas.
Key takeaway
Routes that truly resonate are not just lines on a map — they are living connections between people, stories, and shared heritage. Whether through the Hansa, the Sauna, or the Liberation Routes, it’s these human ties that make our region vibrant, resilient, and united.
Securing the Future – Views from the Policy Area Coordinators
“Securing the Future – Views from the Policy Area Coordinators” publication consists of thematically focused articles that are aligned with the Strategy objectives and support informed discussion.
To read more about the creative sector in the Baltic Sea Region, read the article “State of play and future strategies for the culture and creative sectors in the Baltic Sea Region”.
Download the publication here.
More about the Annual Forum
- Securing the Future – Views from the Policy Area Coordinators
- Building the Baltic Sea Region’s AI Future: From Hype to Real Impact
- New Circular Economy Solutions: Perspectives to Circular Economy in a Panel Discussion
- Energy Transformation: pathways to Baltic Sea region‘s energy resilience
- The Soft Core of Hard Security: Community Cohesion and Agency in Times of Insecurity
- Routes That Resonate: Tourism and Culture as Bridges in the Baltic Sea Region
- Economy of Wellbeing of People: Building Sustainable Working Lives in the Baltic Sea Region
- Regions bordering Russian Federation and Belarus
- Beyond Borders: Turning Interreg Results into Policy Action
- Are Our Green Fuels Ready for Green Shipping Corridors?
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