Sharing Tools, Strategies and Good Practices
On 16 December 2025, FORTE CULTURA held its annual Online Member Meeting (OMM), bringing together fortress managers, researchers and partners from across Europe to focus on communication tools, the EICR certification path and inspiring local projects.
Speaker from 8 countries informed each other about current projects and activities in their fortress locations at the 2nd FORTE CULTURA Online Member Meeting (OMM). In addition, the FORTE CULTURA board provided information how to use Social Media and Network Blogs, about the process of obtaining certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and the associated requirements for FORTE CULTURA members, details of special benefits for members, and upcoming events in 2026.
Le nouveau format en ligne est destiné à rassembler les membres de FORTE CULTURA pour qu'ils apprennent les uns des autres et lancent des activités communes. À l'avenir, l'OMM aura lieu au moins une fois par an. Lors de l'inscription, les participants peuvent réserver un temps de parole de 10 minutes pendant lequel ils peuvent rendre compte de leurs forteresses ou présenter des sujets de discussion actuels.
We thank all speakers and guests for their participation and contributions.
Why re-watch the OMM?
For those who could not join live – and for those who want to revisit specific contributions – the recording offers:
- a clear picture of where the network is heading (EICR, clusters, monitoring, fundraising);
- practical examples from members that can inspire new activities;
- an invitation to each fortress to become an active part of a truly European story.
Below, we provide the recording of OMM 2025, divided into chapters:
Session I – Network tools and EICR strategy
FORTE CULTURA Online Marketing Tools and Services for Members
Speaker: Dirk Röder
Dirk presented important online marketing tools that FORTE CULTURA makes available to its members. These include the Actionbound app, Reveel.guide, Euro souvenir banknotes and the FORTE CULTURA tourism portal, which is an important tool for raising the profile of fortifications.
full presentation you can watch here (17 min)
FORTE CULTURA Social Media
Speaker: Jelena Kölble – 00:00:00
Jelena presented an overview of FORTE CULTURA’s social media channels and how coordinated posting, visual identity and regular updates can increase the visibility of our fortresses and clusters. Members are encouraged to share their content and stories so that network communication reflects the diversity of the route.
Watch from minute 00:00:00
Blogs de FORTE CULTURA
Speaker: Tomáš Jirouch – 00:04:48
Tomáš introduced the blog platform as a space for in-depth storytelling, thematic series and member contributions. He underlined how blogs can support both tourism promotion and knowledge sharing, inviting members to propose articles on history, reuse projects, events and creative tourism.
Watch from minute 00:04:48
FORTE CULTURA Certification Strategy
Speaker: Filippo Cailotto – 00:15:08
Filippo outlined the strategy towards EICR certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, explaining why this step matters, where the network is strong, and where we still need to improve. He focused on three key axes: simple monitoring of tourism impact, a shared fundraising strategy and stronger member involvement.
Watch from 00:15:08
FORTE CULTURA Member Obligations for Certification
Speaker: Dirk Röder – 00:32:22
Dirk showed how to translate the certification strategy into concrete expectations for members, emphasizing visibility for the route’s logo and link across the main communication channels used by FORTE CULTURA members. The message is clear: the certification process will succeed only if each member contributes a small, realistic effort.
Watch from 00:32:22
FORTE CULTURA Upcoming Events
Speaker: Dirk Röder – 00:36:44
Dirk then presented the calendar of upcoming congresses, symposia and study visits for 2025–2026, including the FORTE CULTURA Congress in La Línea de la Concepción (Spain) and the planned events in Malta and South Korea. These appointments will serve as important milestones for both tourism development and the EICR process.
Watch from 00:36:44
Session II – Members’ projects and local innovations
In the second session, several members presented their current activities and projects, showing how fortified heritage can act as a laboratory for sustainable tourism, community engagement and creative reuse.
00:42:13 Ehrensvärd Society, Suomenlinna (FI) – Current activities of Suomenlinna
Carita Wilenius-Rantala offered an overview of ongoing initiatives at Suomenlinna, illustrating how this UNESCO World Heritage fortress combines conservation, everyday life and tourism, particularly focusing on how to enhance low-season activities to increase visitor numbers during those periods.
00:57:49 University of Malta (MT) – Fortified Heritage and Academia: Exploring the synergies
John Ebejer highlighted the role of universities in research, teaching and project development for fortified heritage, and how collaboration between academia and fortress managers can support both valorisation and the EICR agenda.
01:08:40 PCI Fortress of Culture Šibenik (HR) – Night of Fortresses Goes Green 2026!
Vera Jergović presented the evolution of the “Night of Fortresses” initiative towards a stronger focus on sustainability and green practices, positioning it as a flagship example of creative and experiential tourism in fortifications.
Artjoms Mahlins discussed the practical challenges of managing a large fortress complex, balancing preservation needs, funding, and the development of cultural and tourism attractions, particularly in connection with the renovation of the site’s gardens.
01:41:59 Fortress Ziegenhain (DE) – AI-Avatar Fortress Ziegenhain
Gerhard Reidt introduced an innovative project using AI avatars to interpret the fortress for visitors, opening new possibilities for digital mediation and accessible storytelling.
Session III – Collaboration, Ukraine and future perspectives
The third session focused on collaboration, the situation in Ukraine and new perspectives for fortress tourism across Europe.
02:09:56 Fortress Study Group (UK) – The Fortress Study Group: catalyst for collaboration
Nick Dougan presented the long-standing work of the Fortress Study Group as a platform for research, exchanges and study tours, and discussed synergies with FORTE CULTURA.
Tetiana Vietrova reported on the current situation and tourism potential of Mezhybizh Castle, reminding the network of the importance of solidarity with Ukrainian heritage institutions.
02:29:58 FORTE CULTURA – Appeal for Ukraine donation
Dirk Röder launched a renewed appeal for donations to support Ukrainian partners, underlining that fortified heritage is also a place where European values of peace, democracy and solidarity are defended in practice.
02:31:59 Torgauer Tourismus und Service GmbH (DE) – Torgau Fortress – an overview
Anja Bauermeister provided an overview of Torgau Fortress, its history and tourism offer, and its growing role within the FORTE CULTURA network and the Elbe Fortress Cluster.
Al Revele presented the activities of the federation in Belfort, discussing both achievements and challenges, and the importance of collaboration at European level.
03:00:58 FORTE CULTURA Guide Kaiserswerth (DE) – Kaiserswerth 1702 and maybe more…
Dr. Martin Klöffler illustrated how guided tours and historical re-enactment can make a complex fortified site accessible and engaging for different audiences.
03:13:13 Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (HR) – Fortified Architecture for the Culture of Peace
Prof. Nataša Urošević, the President of FORTE CULTURA Scientific Committee, presented her University’s activities under the title “Fortified Architecture for the Culture of Peace,” including a series of scientific conferences and European projects for transnational cooperation.
The meeting concluded with a brief round of comments and conclusions, confirming the shared commitment to develop the cultural route dimension of FORTE CULTURA and to work together towards EICR certification.
03:29:51 Conclusion
03:31:53 FORTE CULTURA Christmas Song (made by suno AI)
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