Transhumance: language, memory and innovation. Research and valorization of cultural narratives for sustainable tourism from Italy to the North-West

The University of Turin, partner of Spoke 3 Industry of Tourism and Culture, organized in collaboration with the Ecomuseo della Pastorizia of Pontebernardo (CN) a two-day conference entitled: Transhumance: language, memory and innovation. Research and valorization of cultural narratives for sustainable tourism from Italy to the North-West.

The event will be held on 21 June 2024 from 9.00 to 17.30 at the University of Turin while on 22 June it will move to the Ecomuseo della Pastorizia of Pontebernardo to continue with the study day which will begin at 8.00 for then end at 2.30 pm.

There will be numerous experts involved from Italy and abroad; the organizing committee is made up of: Matteo Rivoira (University of Turin), Guido Canepa (University of Turin), Sara Rubeis (Unione Montana Valle Stura), Miriam Rubeis (Ecomuseum of Pastoralism), Alberto Ghia (University of of Turin), Mauro Bernardi (Unione Montana Valle Stura).

Transhumance, which recently became part of UNESCO's intangible heritage, is a practice that has characterized the economy of various areas of our country and of Europe more generally. Like other phenomena that have led to the meeting of people (migrations, itinerant professions, etc.), it has implied quite a few linguistic and cultural reflections.

The conference aims to bring together the research of scholars who have recently focused on these aspects and to involve the institutions that have locally valorised the memory of the practice of transhumance, such as the Ecomuseum of Pastoralism of Pontebernardo in Valle Stura. The prospect is to enhance scientific-cultural contents with a view to promoting local tourist and cultural resources.

The initiative will offer an opportunity for dialogue and meetings between scholars and the local population; it will make the territory and its specificities known to the scientific community that deals and has dealt with the topic; it will make the local population and bodies involved in valorising local specificities aware of experiences and contents of wider interest; it will be a training moment for local operators involved in the linguistic and cultural protection and promotion of the upper Stura di Demonte Valley.

Participation in the conference is free and open.