November 4th, 2021 (3:00-4:30pm Boston | 20:00-21:30 Madrid)
Online via Zoom | RSVP: https://bit.ly/RSVP-Observatorio or info-observatory@fas.harvard.edu
Religious tourism and pilgrimage have emerged as the most recession-proof form of discretionary travel within and among nations. For many, Spain’s millenary Camino de Santiago is the prestige model for showcasing cultural heritage, green tourism, and even interfaith quests. In this session, George Greenia will address how “Camino” has nearly become a brand name for a transformative journey, with new “Caminos” springing up in Ireland, England, Australia and Brazil, sometimes sponsored by members of the countless Associations of Friends of the Spanish Camino. The talk will also include a discussion of the post-Covid Camino’s return, which is taking place with new intensity and global value.
George Greenia is Professor Emeritus at William & Mary, where he is co-founder of the university’s Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and founder of the William & Mary Institute for Pilgrimage Studies. Named Editor of the Year in 2007 by the Council of Editors of Learned Journals, he has published extensively on Medieval Iberia and pilgrimage. For his work on promoting the Camino de Santiago in the United States, Greenia has received the Order of Isabel la Católica, as well as numerous awards from organizations related to this historical pilgrimage.
Language: English
Photo gallery: https://cervantesobservatorio.fas.harvard.edu/en/galleries/photos/sacred-steps-camino-de-santiago-and-world-pilgrimage-george-greenia