Until April 3, the City of the Arts in Panama, the Center for Art and Culture of Colón and the historic architecture of Old Panama will be the stage of the Forum "Cultural Routes in the Americas: The Panamanian Experience," an event framed by the project "Cultural Roads, Natural Crossages," organized by the European Union in Panama with the support of the Ministry of Culture.

The Forum aims at strengthening the exchange of best practices and methodologies in the management of cultural and natural heritage between Panama, the European Union and other countries of Latin America.

Specialists, researchers and Panamanian, Latin American and European experts will exchange experiences about how these routes are run, how they have an impact on communities and how they can contribute to sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage. "

Over three days of sessions, discussions and exchanges, the Forum will provide practical and methodological tools for defining a clear strategy in the next phases of the project.

The meeting will facilitate the creation of a network of experts and professionals dedicated to the preservation and promotion of cultural routes. Each day will be held at a different place linked to the project, enabling an exchange of experiences and enriching discussions.

Adolfo Campos, an office manager of the European Union Delegation to Panama, emphasized the importance of the event: "Today we have been starting a three-day forum about historic routes in Latin America, focusing on the Panamanian experience both from the Way of Cruces and from the Way of Realty."

He also emphasized that the Forum will propose conclusions that will serve as a guide for the development of the project. A public guide will be produced as part of "Cultural Roads, Natural Cruces."

María Eugenia Herrera, Minister of Culture welcomed the participants and emphasized the honour of hosting this important event, emphasizing the relevance of sustainable cultural diplomacy: "Panama is a country rich in culture and nature with a shared history that has been documented by anthropolologists, historians and experts. Thanks to the European Union for enabling Panama to share its history with the world."

He emphasized Panama's willingness to continue with sustainable development in all its manifestations, ensuring that local communities benefit from cultural tourism in a respectful and conscious manner from the country's natural and heritage wealth.

That forum represented a unique opportunity to strengthen the cultural relationship between Europe and Panama and to promote dialogue, international cooperation and economic growth through tourism and culture.

The Forum has been supported by public and private institutions such as, Ministry of the Environment, Panama Tourism Authority, Panama Canal, Panama Old Panama Board, Portobelo Board and San Lorenzo Spanish Cooperation Agency and Spanish Cultural Center