The UA successfully concludes the T4EU event on Mediterranean identity and heritage
T4EU Events in Spain
About
From November 27th to 29th, the University of Alicante (UA) organized its first regional cultural heritage workshop “Mediterranean Identity and Heritage: Origins, evolution, and inclusivity”, as part of the Transform4Europe (T4EU) European alliance. This outstanding international event brought together academics, researchers, and professionals to analyze and reflect on the cultural richness and historical evolution of the Mediterranean, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and the digitalization of heritage.
Over three intensive days, attendees participated in a high-level program featuring lectures, workshops, and guided tours. A key highlight was the inaugural roundtable, moderated by Daniel Tejerina (University of Alicante), preceded by lectures from its panelists:
- Raimon Graells (University of Alicante), who delivered a lecture titled “A Journey through the Ancient Mediterranean via its Material Culture”, exploring the historical significance of objects that narrate the region’s story.
- Jaime Molina (University of Alicante), who delved into geopolitical and cultural dynamics with his talk “Shifting Axes: The Evolution of East-West and North-South Dynamics in the Ancient Mediterranean”.
- José Luis Menéndez (Archaeological Museum of Alicante), who presented “The Duality of Mare Liberum-Mare Clausum in the Construction of Mediterranean Heritage and Identity between the 13th and 18th Centuries”, highlighting the maritime context’s importance in cultural development.
Transforming Cultural Heritage with Augmented Reality
Another standout moment was the T4EU Science Café with Professor Alessandro Carrieri (University of Trieste), who shared his work on how new technologies are transforming our experience of cultural heritage. This session, titled “Through the AR lens: how Augmented Reality is transforming the way we experience cultural heritage”, showcased how augmented reality is creating immersive and accessible experiences for all audiences.
Unique and Interactive Experiences
The program also included guided tours to emblematic sites such as the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ), Vilamuseu in Villajoyosa, and the Roman Villa of l’Albir. At Vilamuseu, participants explored not only the site’s rich historical context but also its exemplary approach to inclusivity and accessibility. This achievement has been made possible thanks to the expertise of its director Antonio Espinosa, a renowned specialist in this field, who has played a key role in ensuring that Vilamuseu is a leader in accessible and inclusive cultural heritage. His work demonstrates how inclusive practices can enhance the visitor’s experience, making heritage sites welcoming and enriching for a diverse audience.
Additionally, hands-on workshops on virtual heritage restoration, led by Daniel Tejerina, offered participants a unique opportunity to explore digital methodologies used in preserving cultural assets. These practical activities reinforced the event’s commitment to training and the application of advanced technologies.
Participants in this workshop benefited from a truly international experience in Alicante, being able to engage with participating representatives from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia, and Vytautas Magnus University, as well as from the University of Alicante (including several undergraduate and master’s students and senior students of the Permanent University).
The “Mediterranean Identity and Heritage” event not only strengthened international cooperation on heritage issues within the Transform4Europe alliance but also reinforced the University of Alicante’s role as a leader in research and promotion of Mediterranean identity.
