WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER

For selected international buyers

 

• Transfers from arrival points to Šiluva

• Check-in and accommodation

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Other participant groups arrive according to their individual schedules

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

The programme is open to all registered participants

 

9.30–10.30 – Participant registration and welcome coffee 

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10.30–10.35 – Opening of the Forum

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10.35–10.45 – Welcome Remarks

Arvydas Nekrošius, Mayor of Raseiniai District Municipality

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10.45–10.55 – Welcome Remarks

Kęstutis Kėvalas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaunas

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10.55–11.05 – Welcome Remarks

Guoda Burokienė, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation

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11.05–11.15 – From Local History to International Dialogue: Šiluva, the Way of Grace and IRTF

Jurga Nekrošiūtė, Raseiniai District Municipality

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11.20–11.35 – JP2 LIVING LEGACY ROUTE: Through Lithuania towards Europe’s Hope

100 places. 100 stories. One journey. 

Vytautas Naudužas, Ambassador, PhD in Social Sciences & Rev. Žydrius Kuzinas CO, Master of Theology and Management

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11.40–11.55 – Commercialising Religious Tourism: Global Trends 

Santiago Cano, REDITUR

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12.00–12.25 – Expert Presentation: What International Tour Operators Expect from Religious Tourism Destinations

What makes a destination attractive to tour operators: accessibility, programme structure, accommodation, guide services, storytelling, cooperation with local partners and other practical aspects. 

Ernest Mirosław, Ernesto Travel

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12.25–12.50 – Forum Keynote Presentation: Experience of the Shrines of Europe Network and Future Directions for Religious Tourism

Daniel Zalejski, Shrines of Europe / Częstochowa Municipality

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12.55–13.40 – Discussion “Paths of Faith in Europe: Living Heritage, Pilgrimage and Sustainable Religious Tourism”

How can religious tourism be developed in a way that preserves living religious and cultural heritage, strengthens local communities, and builds meaningful connections between pilgrimage centres across Europe?

Moderator – Silvija Čižaitė-Rudokienė (Head of the Šiluva Pilgrim Centre)

Participants: Lidija Bajarūnienė (Adviser at the Tourism and Resorts Development Division of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, Vice-President of the European Travel Commission), Olga Gončarova (Head of Lithuania Travel), Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė (Ambassador to the Holy See), Rūta Stankuvienė (Director of the Šiauliai Tourism Information Centre, President of LTICA), and Daniel Zalejski (Representative of the Shrines of Europe Association)

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13.40–13.45 – Summary of the Conference Programme 

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13.45–14.45 – Lunch and Networking

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers, Suppliers, Exhibitors and Institutional Partners

 

14.45–16.45 – B2B meetings and exhibition / networking fair

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16.45–17.15 – Coffee break and preparation for departure

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers, Institutional Partners and Invited Guests

 

17.15 – Departure for Šiluva

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17.30–19.00  – Free time

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19.00–21.00 – Official Forum Dinner and Cultural Programme

John Paul II Pilgrim House, Šiluva

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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers and Suppliers wishing to participate

 

8.00 – Visit to Šiluva Shrine

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10.30 – Hill of Crosses

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12.30 – Lunch

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15.30 – Žemaičių Kalvarija

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18.30 – Dinner at the Tytuvėnai Bernardine Monastery

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20.00 – Evening tour of the Tytuvėnai Bernardine Monastery

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21.30 – Return to Šiluva

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SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers wishing to participate

 

08.00 – Departure

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11.00 – Arrival in Vilnius

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• “Divine Mercy Vilnius” Familiarisation Programme

• Dinner

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Note. Transfers to the airports for International Buyers not participating in the familiarisation tour in Vilnius will be arranged according to their individual departure times.