Perspectives

In 2011, the Saarbrücken Regional Association launched the European model project Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles. In doing so, we were responding to a call from the Council of Europe. As part of a process-oriented project, our aim was to provide a model of how the European idea and the values embedded in it can be combined with pilgrimage and cultural heritage across borders. The sunken network of pilgrimage routes leads through the whole of Europe and was originally called the “Starry Path”, which gave our idea its name. The “Starry Paths” also lead through our Greater Region on various axes and today, as a European cultural route and spiritual world heritage site, remind us of Europe’s roots.

One of Europe’s founding fathers, Robert Schuman, inspired us with his call when Europe was founded: “Europe should create a soul for itself and must be a guide for humanity!

In the course of the project, this pointing the way to responsible and peaceful coexistence in Europe has become the leitmotif and symbol of our cultural initiative in a Greater Region at the heart of Europe.

In the project area, over 350 medieval cultural monuments along the routes have now become destinations and starting points for pilgrimages or hiking tours. Many of these cultural monuments have already been decorated with a stone scallop shell and an information board, which, in addition to art-historical and tourist information, also provides the project’s humanistic mission statement for “spiritual luggage” along the way.

Countless people, municipalities and institutional project partners have been involved over the last 15 years and have made cooperation across church towers possible. In this way, European values have been linked with cultural heritage and hiking tourism. In this way, we have been able to show that committed cultural work on a large regional scale can be successfully initiated even with a small budget and staying power, and that this commitment also has a direct impact on regional identity and the sense of belonging of the people living here.

The associated website documents the model project, conveys all the content and facets that the model project has produced so far and provides a wide range of food for thought. An interactive map makes it possible to get to know all the medieval reference points, whether on foot, by bike or simply by making a pilgrimage with your eyes.

On this basis, we were able to literally show “paths along the stars of Europe” how the European vision - which in the present is so much about togetherness, humanity and peace - can be ignited on the road in our home country.

In this sense, we have reached a milestone without losing sight of the goal. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the countless people and project partners who have participated in the pilot project so far! We will continue to be available in an advisory capacity to help pave the way and contribute our knowledge and experience. Everyone who wants to take part in spreading the values of Europe on the Starry Paths is very welcome!

We offer guided walks, lectures and readings with our project manager Peter Michael Lupp via our adult education center.

Dr. Carolin Lehberger
Regional Association Director