DiverCity Tours: Rewalking Our Cities from a Multicultural Perspective: DiverCity Tours

Programme(s): Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV)
Topic(s): CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM-HISTMIGRATION
Type of action: CERV Lump Sum Grants

Project ID: 101196425

Objective:

The DiverCity Tours project engages partners from Spain, Greece and Bulgaria and is based on the idea that if European citizens are more aware of the closeness of their culture to what is usually presented as “radically different” and “inferior”, they will be more willing to have a critical stance on harmful nationalistic narratives and be less predisposed to hostility towards migrants, including Muslim migrants. It offers a rethinking of ethno-centric narratives and recognizes the influences of other cultures in the construction of our cities, cultural practices and identities. The overall objective of the project is to counter racism and other forms of intolerances through promoting a more nuanced understanding of the different cultural influences in the construction of European national identities. Specific objectives: 1. To build knowledge and capacity for critical examination and promotion of the diverse cultural influences (with a focus on Muslim influences) on the cities of Valencia, Athenes and Sofia 2. To link the lack of recognition of diverse cultural influences with present-day harmful phenomenon like hostility to migrants and Islamophobia; 3. To engage citizens in innovative and experiential forms of dialogue, re-walking and rethinking the cities of Valencia, Athens and Sofia; 4. To promote and utilise gender-sensitive storytelling as an engaging tool for rethinking shared histories and cultures. Seven events are expected to bring about the following results: • 75 multipliers are trained on cultural diplomacy, Muslim heritage and touring dynamization techniques • At least 100 people, including political authorities, media representatives and social entities participate in the Congress against Islamophobia in Valencia and increase knowledge and awareness • DiverCity Tours in Valencia, Athens and Sofia engage at least 150 citizens to highlight the Muslim legacy in the configuration of the urban environment and the cultural landscape.