LONDON – ISTANBUL
2,000 miles…10 countries…120 days…On foot!
Between May and September 2007, Paul will travel across Europe from London to Istanbul on foot. His route will pass through some of the continent’s major cities: Brussels, Mannheim, Munich, Salzburg, Belgrade and Sofia. The walk will present a vigorous physical and psychological challenge. Paul will undertake this journey alone, walking twenty miles a day for 6 days of the week and will have to cross a series of mountainous ranges including the Bavarian and Austrian Alps. Not only will this journey be an enormous personal achievement, but also Paul hopes both to raise significant sums of money for his two charities – the British Heart Foundation and Europa Nostra – and to raise public awareness about European cultural heritage.
THE CHARITIES
The British Heart Foundation is the largest independent funder of heart research in the UK. It plays an important role in funding education targeted at both the general public and health professionals. The BHF is also a major provider of life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care. Its overarching aim is to play a leading role in the fight against disease of the heart and circulation so that it is no longer a major cause of disability and premature death.
Europa Nostra is the representative platform of over 200 heritage NGOs active throughout Europe. It serves as the voice of this vast movement of European civil society towards major international bodies, in particular the European Union, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. As well as supporting national and international campaigns for the preservation and rescue of Europe’s heritage at risk, Europa Nostra works to promote high standards in the fields of heritage conservation, architecture, and urban and rural planning.
WHY A EUROPEAN WALK? By doing this walk, Paul hopes to demonstrate in practical and symbolic terms the importance of promoting unity and harmony throughout the European continent. Alongside ever-progressing political and economic integration, Paul believes that it is important to advance social cohesion and foster a shared sense of cultural identity amongst the European people. This can be done by promoting and celebrating our common heritage.
The walk will demonstrate the wealth, richness and diversity of Europe’s heritage. Along the way, Paul will visit several prehistoric and Roman archaeological sites, medieval fortresses and castles, Second World War cemeteries and a number of World Heritage Cities including London, Graz, Salzburg and Istanbul. The journey reflects one made by Patrick Leigh Fermor, who walked from London to Istanbul in the 1930s, at a time when the continent was on the verge of being changed forever. To celebrate and explore the discoveries and experiences of his walk, Paul will be organising an exhibition in London on his return in September.
