The Extremadura Tourism Cluster has initiated a new tender process, guided by the principles of publicity, competition, transparency, confidentiality, equality, and non-discrimination. This procedure will be conducted under a competitive bidding framework.

The purpose of the tender is the acquisition and installation of cameras with artificial intelligence technology, as well as the implementation of a data management platform. These actions are aimed at incorporating advanced technology for the monitoring and conservation of cultural heritage, in line with the protection objectives of the ILUMINA Project.

Key Dates for the Tender Process:

1. Tender Advertisement: From 24 October to 7 November 2024.
2. Tender Deadline: 7 November 2024, at 12:00 PM.
3. Offer Evaluation and Service Company Selection: 7 and 8 November 2024.
4. Announcement of Selected Company: 12 November 2024.

Delivery Deadlines:

1. Camera Installation: By 31 December 2024.
2. First Simplified Version of the Platform: By 31 December 2024.

Project ILUMINA Description

The ILUMINA Project, focused on the cross-border regions of Extremadura and Alentejo, aims to promote sustainable tourism through the ornamental illumination of heritage sites. The initiative seeks to transform cultural and historical resources into night-time tourist attractions, encouraging local development. Its main objectives include promoting night-time tourism, creating new economic opportunities in the tourism industry, and ensuring sustainability. The project also involves implementing pilot projects at a hermitage and two castles.

The Technical Specification is attached, detailing all requirements and the scope of the requested services. If you are interested, we invite you to submit your proposal within the established deadline. We remain available for any queries or clarifications.

As part of the Heprestone project, a pilot visit to the Alcazaba of Mérida was conducted alongside project partners with the aim of studying the monument and advancing the development of innovative tools for its conservation. The project is co-financed by the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 programme, highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration between Extremadura and Alentejo in the protection of the cultural heritage of the EUROACE region.

Heprestone aims to implement the Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) methodology, a system that enables the capture and management of detailed information on the construction, use, and evolution of historic buildings over time. This approach will allow for the systematisation of management plans, preventive and predictive conservation of monuments, addressing challenges such as climate change and mass tourism.

Among the monuments included in this project are the Alcazaba of Mérida, the Évora wall, and the Portezuelo castle. Through the HBIM methodology, critical indicators and digital twins of these monuments will be developed, promoting predictive conservation, sustainable tourism, and more efficient and preventive heritage management.

The Heprestone project not only aims to protect cultural heritage but also to promote sustainable, eco-friendly, and inclusive tourism, adapted to the challenges posed by climate change. These actions seek to support both the economic development of the region and the preservation of its cultural wealth.

By implementing best practices and innovative measures, the project underscores the need to safeguard cultural assets against growing threats, ensuring that monuments like the Alcazaba of Mérida continue to stand as living witnesses to the region’s history and culture for future generations.

The Ilumina Project, officially presented at the Campo Maior Bulwarked Fortification Interpretative Centre on 9 October 2024, aims to revitalise night-time cultural tourism in the EUROACE Euroregion, which includes Extremadura and Alentejo. With a focus on sustainability and local development, the initiative will illuminate three iconic monuments: the Castle of Ouguela in Portugal, the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Carrión, and the Castle of Valencia de Alcántara in Spain, creating a Night-time Cultural Tourism Destination that will attract visitors year-round.

The launch event was attended by prominent representatives, including the Campo Maior City Council, the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de Carrión, the Iberdrola España Foundation, and the Directorate-General of Tourism of Extremadura, who emphasised the importance of this initiative for both regions. In his speech, Ramón Castresana, director of the Iberdrola España Foundation, highlighted the significance of this project in promoting heritage and culture, while José Santos, president of the Alentejo Regional Tourism Entity, underlined Ilumina’s potential to position the Euroregion as an attractive and innovative destination for night-time cultural tourism.

Jesús Viñuales, Director-General of Tourism for Extremadura, highlighted the value this initiative brings to the Spanish side of the border, emphasising the importance of protecting and enhancing the region’s vast historical heritage. Vítor Silva, President of the Alentejo Regional Tourism Promotion Agency, stressed the international significance of the Ilumina Project, noting that the illumination of the monuments will position Alentejo and Extremadura as top-tier tourist destinations, attracting international visitors with a sustainable and authentic cultural offering. Additionally, María José García Curto, President of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster, emphasised cross-border cooperation as one of the project’s fundamental pillars, with the creation of a new joint brand to strengthen the international promotion of these destinations.

The Ilumina Project, co-financed by the European Union’s Interreg POCTEP 2021-2027 programme, aims not only to beautify and preserve the region’s cultural heritage but also to stimulate the economic and social development of rural areas, helping to combat depopulation. The total budget for the project is €1.74 million, and it is expected to be completed by June 2026, following the illumination of the monuments and the promotion of new tourist experiences focused on the shared history and heritage between Spain and Portugal.

The event concluded with a visit to the Governor’s House in Ouguela Castle, where a collaboration agreement was signed with Campo Maior City Council to formalise the commitment to illuminate this important monument and strengthen the region’s tourism development.

At the Extremadura Tourism Cluster, we are launching a new tender process that will adhere to the principles of publicity, competition, transparency, confidentiality, equality, and non-discrimination. This process is conducted under the competitive bidding regime as a minor contract.

The purpose of this tender is to design the project’s image, as well as to describe the communication and dissemination activities necessary to justify the associated expenses.

The creation of a global image and a communication plan is expected for use by all project beneficiaries. Below are the project details and approximate dates for the submission of work:

1. Tender advertising: 10th October to 24th October 2024
2. Tender deadline: 12:00 p.m. on 24th October 2024
3. Review of offers and selection of the service company: 24th to 28th October 2024
4. Announcement of the winning company: 30th October 2024
5. Work delivery: Between 18th and 22nd November 2024

HEPRESTONE Project

The HEPRESTONE project, lasting three years, aims to protect the cultural heritage of the EUROACE area against threats such as climate change and mass tourism. Through the creation of digital twins of pilot monuments and the development of alert indicators, the project seeks to facilitate predictive conservation and sustainable tourism. Co-financed by the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) programme, the project highlights cross-border collaboration to preserve and enhance heritage in Extremadura and Alentejo.

We are attaching the Technical Specification with all the details, requirements, and scope of the requested services. If you are interested, we invite you to submit your proposal within the stipulated timeframe. We remain at your disposal for any questions or clarifications.

FESTIVALS

After the Italian preview in May, the Dancing Histor(y)ies Festivals of Ostia Antica, Viminacium, Mérida and Tharros have taken place in the last two months promoting the concepts behind the project and involving the public and the population of the fascinating locations that hosted them. Now, we just have to go through the news shared by our local partners of this exciting summer dedicated to Dance and European cultural heritage.

June 24/26 – Viminacium Arheološki park/Archaeological park

The Institute of Archaeology in Viminacium is the organizing partner of the first international contemporary dance festival for Dancing Histor(y)ies, which, under the title of ReMOVING Borders, was held from 24 to 26 June at the Archaeological Park in Viminacium. For the first time in this evocative setting, an event took place presenting a rich program of daytime and evening meetings dedicated to dance, curated by expert representatives of the world of contemporary dance, art and archaeology of Viminacium, involving the local communities of Kostolac and Požarevac. Three dance companies staged their productions: 420People, Derida Dance Center and ilDance.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/viminacium/

July 05/07 – Festival de Teatro Clásico de Mérida

For this 70th edition, the Festival Internacional de Teatro Clasico de Mérida has staged a series of activities in line with the project values and concepts. At the same time, it has promoted several archaeological spaces in town that during the shows have involved the community and promoted the potential of using the city’s cultural heritage. “Diálogo” is the word that defines Dancing Histor(y)ies, the dialogue between the performing arts and cultural heritage, the dialogue between institutions and different countries. Proof is the fact that culture is a key to open doors to cross borders and establish collaborations. The artistic partners who presented their shows were ilDance, with a staging at the Roman Forum ‘Un día seremos estatuas’, and the group 420PEOPLE, with “Ícaro” at the Templo de Diana.

All the details at the link: https://www.festivaldemerida.es/en/the-festival/

July 12/14 – Tharros Archaeological Park

 The rhythm of international dance beats strongly in the ancient heart of Sardinia thanks to Dancing Histor(y)ies, which chose the wonderful archaeological area of Tharros. Six international dance groups took to the stage: ilDance, Polish Dance Theatre, Derida Dance Center, as well as Mvula Sungani Physical Dance and a co-production that saw the E-Motion Group, ASMED Balletto di Sardegna and Compagnia Danza Esttemporada together. The groups danced on History, recovering ancient and new narratives starting from the life of those communities that, precisely in territories so rich in memory, have chosen to reside, articulating their present.

The Off Festival calendar of events is also original, with a rich series of collateral activities aimed at actively promoting historical heritage: the Laboratory/scenic game/animation “Dance on your wave” dedicated in particular to children and young people and inspired by waves; the workshop entitled “The story in reverse” in which dancers, choreographers and musicians met local communities; the Talk “Sguardi su Tharros” (A glance on Tharros) with the artists who spoke about their encounter with the site of Tharros.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/tharros/

Keep following us! See you in September for more news to come!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

DATA MANAGEMENT
In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 we hereby inform you that your personal data are part of a specific database for the collection and management of personal data within the project Dancing Histor(y)ies (from here onwards referred to as the “Project”) whose Joint Data Controller is Associazione Enti locali per le attività culturali e di spettacolo, with headquarters in Via Pasquale Paoli n.25 – 09128 Cagliari, VAT number: 01859050922 together with the other Joint Data Controllers defined by the GDPR agreement signed within the Dancing Histor(y)ies consortium.
The Joint Data Controllers may process the personal data collected for the period necessary to fulfil the obligations established in the Partnership agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and/or in the Grant agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and the European Commission.
Interested parties can contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO) by sending an email to: dancinghistoriesdpo@gmail.com to have a complete view of the GDPR or to exercise each of the following rights: access to their personal data; obtain a copy of the personal data; correct personal data; delete your data; limit processing; request data portability; exercise the right of objection; file a complaint.

On July 22, 2024, the El Rayo Verde building in Málaga hosted the technical launch meeting of the Interreg Spain-Portugal VI A pluriregional project of the Cross-Border Iberian Fluvial Cruise Network (Red CIFT). Led by the Maritime-Marine Cluster of Andalusia (CMMA), this project aims to create a network of sustainable nautical-cultural destinations along the five major rivers of the cross-border area: Miño, Limia, Duero, Tajo, and Guadiana.

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster will play a crucial role in the Red CIFT project, participating in training for the creation of nautical-cultural itineraries and in the project’s promotional campaigns. This joint effort aims to boost responsible tourism and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region of Spain and Portugal.

Project Objectives

The Red CIFT project aims to achieve a significant impact in the participating regions by:

• Increase in River Tourism: Creating innovative nautical-cultural itineraries.
• Economic Development: Generating employment and economic opportunities.
• Heritage Preservation: Valuing cultural and natural heritage.
• Improvement of Accessibility: Promoting cross-border cooperation and sustainable mobility.

Structure and Activities

The program is structured around several key activities:

• Strategic Planning: Assessing economic viability and promoting nautical-cultural destinations.
• Certification: Establishing standards for accessible tourism and best practices.
• Training: Developing content and courses to foster innovation and creativity in itinerary creation.
• Communication: Creating a digital catalogue, the project’s corporate identity, and strategic visibility actions..

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster will lead group and individualised training for the creation of tourist products in workshops and will be responsible for designing promotional materials and communication campaigns for the Red CIFT.

With a budget of 816,646.61 euros co-financed by the European Union, the Red CIFT project aims to promote sustainable and responsible river tourism, improving accessibility and connectivity in cross-border river basins, and strengthening cooperation between Spain and Portugal.

Project Challenges

The Red CIFT project faces key challenges:

• Insufficient Promotion: The river landscapes of the border basins are little known and promoted.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Shortage of docks, moorings, and adequate services for river tourism.
• Limited Accessibility: Difficulties in connectivity and access to the river basins.
• Sustainable Management: Need to balance environmental conservation with tourism promotion.

Project Partners

The project includes eight partners, four from Spain and four from Portugal:

The POCTEP HEPRESTONE project has officially commenced with an initial in-person meeting in Mérida, marking the start of a significant collaboration for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage. This meeting, aimed at establishing contact and taking the first steps of the project, was attended by the Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports, Mrs. Victoria Bazaga, and Mrs. Adela Montaña Rueda Márquez de la Plata, Director General of Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Heritage. Members of the consortium, including the Extremadura Tourism Cluster, also participated, advancing the sustainable management of monumental heritage in the cross-border area.

Project Summary

The HEPRESTONE project, spanning three years, aims to protect the cultural heritage of the EUROACE area against factors such as climate change and mass tourism. It identifies and applies best practices and innovative measures for the monitoring and conservation of heritage sites.

Key components include the development of critical alert indicators and the creation of digital twins for pilot monuments such as the Alcazaba of Mérida, the wall of Évora, and the castle of Portezuelo. These digital twins will facilitate corrective maintenance, predictive conservation, and tourism management, employing an algorithm to monitor the alert indicators.

The project promotes sustainable tourism and preventive heritage management through the HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) methodology, capturing and managing detailed information about the evolution of historic buildings. This intervention will help preserve heritage while boosting economic development and population retention in the cross-border areas of Extremadura and Alentejo.

Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 program, HEPRESTONE underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Partners

• INTROMAC (Technological Institute of Ornamental Rocks and Building Materials Consortium) – Coordinator
• Directorate General of Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Heritage of the Government of Extremadura
• Polytechnic School of Cáceres, University of Extremadura
• Institute of Archaeology of Mérida
• Extremadura Tourism Cluster
• University of Évora
• ARROW 4D
• Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of Alentejo

On June 17th in Badajoz, the first in-person meeting of the ILUMINA Project took place, with the attendance of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster. This meeting marked the official start of the project and allowed participants to connect and take the first steps towards its development. The meeting concluded with a visit to the Castle of Ouguela in Portugal, one of the sites to be involved in the project.

Project ILUMINA Description

The ILUMINA project, focused on the cross-border regions of Extremadura and Alentejo, aims to promote sustainable tourism through the ornamental lighting of heritage elements. This initiative seeks to transform cultural, historical, and landscape resources into attractive tourist products, enhancing the nighttime tourism offering.

Main Objectives:

• Promotion of Night Tourism: Increase the nighttime tourist appeal in Extremadura and Alentejo.
• Local Economic Development: Generate new business and employment opportunities in the tourism industry.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Foster innovative and sustainable cultural tourism.
• Pilot Projects: Implementation of six pilot projects of ornamental lighting in churches, hermitages, and castles.

The ILUMINA project is presented as a key initiative to boost cultural night tourism and improve the management of cultural heritage through cross-border cooperation and the use of advanced technologies.

The International Classical Theatre Festival of Mérida has taken a significant step towards internationalisation by participating in the innovative European programme Dancing Histor(y)ies, a project funded by Creative Europe. This programme, which brings together 13 entities from 11 countries, aims to strengthen the ties between local communities and cultural heritage through dance and the performing arts.

Objectives and Participation

Dancing Histor(y)ies, whose motto is “binding communities and heritage through dance,” aims to strengthen the connection between local communities and cultural heritage.

The Mérida Festival, now in its 70th edition, has scheduled a series of activities including three workshops and three dance performances. These activities will take place until Sunday in various archaeological sites across the city, aiming to combine the best of theatre and performing arts with the enhancement of archaeological heritage.

Programme Presentation

The programme was presented by Pedro Blanco, Managing Director of the Festival’s Patronage Consortium, who explained that the Dancing Histor(y)ies schedule includes three workshops and three dance performances, all free of charge and requiring prior registration via online forms.

Performances and Workshops

The performances scheduled as part of Dancing Histor(y)ies include:

• ‘One Day We Will Be Statues‘ by ILDance (Sweden), which will be presented on Friday at 9:00 PM in the Roman Forum. This production, designed by Israel Aloni, is inspired by the three visits made to Mérida by the Swedish company to immerse themselves in the local culture, blending contemporary dance and sound in a historical setting.
• ‘Ícaro‘ by 420People (Czech Republic), which will take place on Saturday at 9:30 PM in the Temple of Diana. Marta Lajnerová, head of the company, highlights the collaboration of six dance students from Mérida in this production, underscoring the value of shared creative experiences.
• ‘Electra‘ by the Theatre and Dance Workshop of IES Santa Eulalia in Mérida, scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 PM in the Temple of Diana. This local production, directed by Juan Carlos Tirado with choreography by Alba Gog, integrates elements of Greek mythology in a heritage context.

Additionally, several workshops will be conducted to explore the intersection between performing arts and cultural heritage:

• ‘La caja de Pandora‘, directed by the flamenco dance company and school of Fuensanta Blanco, involves young people aged 10 to 30 in a creative process that will culminate in the performance ‘The Thread of Hope‘, on Thursday at 9:30 PM in the Temple of Diana. This workshop is inspired by the myth of Pandora, exploring themes of hope and resilience through flamenco.
• ‘Didactics of Dramatic Expression‘, a training course led by Javier Llanos and produced by TAPTC? Teatro, has been conducted from 1st to 4th July. This workshop covers techniques for group facilitation, creativity enhancement, theatre direction, stage production, and citizen engagement, offering comprehensive training for artists and educators.
• ‘Utilisation of Heritage Sites as Venues for Performances‘, a seminar that will take place on Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Festival’s headquarters. Managed by the Institute of Archaeology of Mérida, this workshop will analyse the use of heritage buildings as performance spaces, with lectures on the Temple of Diana, the Forum Portico, and the Parador of Mérida, followed by a round table discussion on how to use these spaces without compromising their identity.

Reflections and Future

Jesús Cimarro, Director of the Mérida Festival, highlighted how the project focuses on promoting archaeological sites through the performing arts, defining an innovative, effective, and replicable model for the enhancement of cultural sites. This model aims to actively involve local communities in artistic production and conscious enjoyment of heritage, while also promoting the international participation and circulation of European artists.

Antonio Marín, Director of the Centre for Performing Arts and Music of Extremadura (CEMART), emphasised that “dialogue” is the word that defines Dancing Histor(y)ies, highlighting the importance of communication between performing arts and heritage, among different institutions, and across various countries. This approach demonstrates that “culture is a key that opens doors to cross borders and establish collaborations.” Marín also noted that the Mérida Festival is the only event held in four archaeological sites, reinforcing its uniqueness and commitment to heritage conservation while crossing borders throughout Europe.

Israel Aloni, from ILDance, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in this event, highlighting that Mérida offers an inspiring environment that combines history and contemporary art. Marta Lajnerová, from 420People, also appreciated this European initiative, thanking the Mérida Festival team for their collaboration in bringing her performance to such an iconic setting.

Pedro Mateos, Director of the Institute of Archaeology of Mérida, advocated for the use of heritage buildings as performance spaces, emphasising the need to preserve their essence while exploring new ways to utilise them. The seminar’s round table will provide a platform to discuss these issues in depth, involving both archaeologists and performing arts professionals.

Images by Jero Morales / Mérida Festival

The next round of workshops for Dance Companies is just around the corner in Viminacium (SB), Merida (ES), Volos (GR), Ostia (IT) for its first round and Tharros (IT).

In all the involved communities the workshop is addressed to a wide spectrum of people: elder people, young people, people with disabilities, meaning any range of the active population in the communities.

Particularly, there is a strong interest for young people having previous knowledge on dance and theatre, as an opportunity for new learning experience on dancing techniques and acting approaches and above all, to promote the interaction between the dance companies, students and local professionals, in order to learn and understand needs and concerns of each other.

Together with a planned visit to archaeological spaces so that visitors can make progresses structuring their performing approach during Dancing Histor(y)ies Festival. Video diaries and communication materials to be collected in order to share this emotional experience among project partners.

DH Festivals press conference presentation – Rome

Dancing Histor(y)ies Festivals are about to start, and we have proudly announced the calendar during a general press conference held in Rome on May 23rd.

Complete Schedule of the Dancing Histor(y)ies Festival

• 25 May–25/27 July: Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica
• 24/26 June: Viminacium Arheološki park/Archaeological park
• 05/07 July: Festival de Teatro Clásico de Mérida
• 12/14 July: Tharros Area Archeologica
• 06/09 September: Volos

This press conference has also seen a detailed presentation of the first international dance showcase to be experienced in Ostia Antica (IT) – one of the most poignant archaeological and ethnoanthropological legacies in the Mediterranean – which has kicked off with its preview date on May 25th and will follow up on July 25/27. More info and the detailed plan of activities and schedule of our amazing contemporary dance groups are available on the official DH website.

Keep following all the steps of the project, we are ready to dance and create new bonds with local communities!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

DATA MANAGEMENT

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 we hereby inform you that your personal data are part of a specific database for the collection and management of personal data within the project Dancing Histor(y)ies (from here onwards referred to as the “Project”) whose Joint Data Controller is Associazione Enti locali per le attività culturali e di spettacolo, with headquarters in Via Pasquale Paoli n.25 – 09128 Cagliari, VAT number: 01859050922 together with the other Joint Data Controllers defined by the GDPR agreement signed within the Dancing Histor(y)ies consortium.
The Joint Data Controllers may process the personal data collected for the period necessary to fulfil the obligations established in the Partnership agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and/or in the Grant agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and the European Commission.
Interested parties can contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO) by sending an email to: dancinghistoriesdpo@gmail.com to have a complete view of the GDPR or to exercise each of the following rights: access to their personal data; obtain a copy of the personal data; correct personal data; delete your data; limit processing; request data portability; exercise the right of objection; file a complaint.