The Alberto I of Monaco Cantabrian Rock Art Center, located in the Cantabrian municipality of Puente Viesgo, hosted the first workshop of the European project TUPART (Territories United by Paleolithic Art), which promotes the appreciation of Paleolithic rock art as a driver of rural development, social cohesion, and sustainable tourism.
The first workshop of the project focused on establishing the transnational action strategy for the project.
The event brought together institutional representatives from the project partnership and experts in heritage, tourism, and accessibility, along with other key players, around working tables to establish TupART’s transnational strategy: communication, safety, accessibility, and best practices, standards, and quality in rock art destinations for the creation of a rock art product club.
TupART Project
The aim of this European project is to promote the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation through rock art. It has received an investment of €1,228,089.00 from Interreg Sudoe and involves regions in Spain, France, and Portugal such as Aquitaine (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Cantabria, Castile and León, Central Portugal, Extremadura, Northern Portugal, and the Basque Country. The Cantabrian Rural Development Network is the coordinating entity for the project and has a diverse and valuable partnership involving three countries:
- Main Beneficiary Cantabrian Rural Development Network Association
- Côa Parque – Foundation for the Protection and Enhancement of the Côa Valley, Côa Parque Foundation
- Municipality of Mação, Museum of Prehistoric and Sacred Art of the Tagus Valley
- Government of Cantabria, Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sports, Directorate General of Culture and Historical Heritage
- University of Cantabria Foundation for the Study and Research of the Financial Sector
- Conseil départemental de la Dordogne
- SARL Grottes d’Isturitz et d’Oxocelhaya
- Regional Government of Extremadura, Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports, Directorate General of Libraries, Archives and Cultural Heritage
- Regional Government of Castile and León, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Directorate General of Cultural Heritage
- Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundia/Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Department of Culture, Cooperation, Youth and Sports