Cultural attractions of Europe

Хамиджон Я. Расулов



Cultural attractions of Europe

Development of Cultural Tourism in EuropeG. Richards

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The Development of Cultural
Tourism in Europe
Greg Richards
Tilburg University, Department of Leisure Studies, Tilburg,
The Netherlands
In the future, it will be a relief to find a place without culture.
Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense sleeve notes.
In the past, only hardened cultural tourists seemed to suffer from ‘monument
fatigue’ or could overdose on museums. This condition now seems to be
spreading. ‘That’s enough culture’ screamed a newspaper headline recently
(Glancey, 1999), describing the surge of museum development which saw
over ?600 million being invested in new attractions in the UK in the year
2000. In Spain, the number of museums has doubled during the post-Franco
era (Herrijgers, 1998). According to the European Commission, there are
now approximately 200,000 protected monuments in the European Union
(EU), and 2.5 million buildings of historical interest (European Commission,
1998).
These developments underline the increasing centrality of culture
and cultural attractions in modern societies. As MacCannell (1976, p. 154)
commented: ‘the construction, exchange and movement of attractions is a
perfect index of modernisation’. As the development of tourism proceeds,
so ‘entire cities and regions, decades and cultures have become aware of
themselves as attractions’ (1976, p. 16).
Cultural attractions have become particularly important in this modern
form of pilgrimage called tourism. Not only do cultural attractions such as
museums and monuments constitute the largest sector of the European
attractions market, but they are also increasingly being placed at the
centre of urban and rural development strategies and image enhancement
programmes.
Development of Cultural Tourism in EuropeG. Richards
1
1
The Development of Cultural
Tourism in Europe
Greg Richards
Tilburg University, Department of Leisure Studies, Tilburg,
The Netherlands
In the future, it will be a relief to find a place without culture.
Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense sleeve notes.
In the past, only hardened cultural tourists seemed to suffer from ‘monument
fatigue’ or could overdose on museums. This condition now seems to be
spreading. ‘That’s enough culture’ screamed a newspaper headline recently
(Glancey, 1999), describing the surge of museum development which saw
over ?600 million being invested in new attractions in the UK in the year
2000. In Spain, the number of museums has doubled during the post-Franco
era (Herrijgers, 1998). According to the European Commission, there are
now approximately 200,000 protected monuments in the European Union
(EU), and 2.5 million buildings of historical interest (European Commission,
1998).
These developments underline the increasing centrality of culture
and cultural attractions in modern societies. As MacCannell (1976, p. 154)
commented: ‘the construction, exchange and movement of attractions is a
perfect index of modernisation’. As the development of tourism proceeds,
so ‘entire cities and regions, decades and cultures have become aware of
themselves as attractions’ (1976, p. 16).
Cultural attractions have become particularly important in this modern
form of pilgrimage called tourism. Not only do cultural attractions such as
museums and monuments constitute the largest sector of the European
attractions market, but they are also increasingly being placed at the
centre of urban and rural development strategies and image enhancement
programmes.
Europe is the birthplace of many artists who changed our way of seeing the world and living. Discover the destinations where famous people like Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Duchamp, Mondrian, Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Munch, Dali but also some of the greatest writers such as Baudelaire, Shakespeare, Cervantes…. were born and inspired.
You will also discover in Europe the most beautiful landscapes that inspired the most beautiful paintings and decorations that you may have seen in your favourite films. Europe is the only place in the world with so many museums and art galleries as well as tens of thousands of cultural activities to carry out with friends, with family, alone or with your loved one. Find inspiration for your next cultural holiday in Europe in our selection of the best cultural destinations.
Birthplace of philosophy, democracy and drama, the city of Athens is not only an open-air museum of world-class cultural heritage attractions but also a contemporary metropolis with an urban personality. Named after the most benevolent Greek Goddess, Athena, the goddess of wisdom and inspiration, Athens has always been at the cultural fore. 
With equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens merges the past with the present in the most slender way! A city of paradoxes and great contrasts, in the country that first invented the courtesy and generosity towards people who are far from their home, hospitality (xenia). 
An intellectual beacon of the ancient world with spectacular Mediterranean landscapes bathed in the renowned light, Athens is a sophisticated cosmopolitan hub with delicious gastronomic delights, electrifying nightlife, creative vibes and a booming art scene. 
From the iconic Acropolis, rising above the city, to charming up and coming neighborhoods and contemporary art galleries, the city of Classic Marathon and Olympic Games is a majestically quirky clash of past and present. 
One of the world's oldest cities with a recorded history of 3,500 years, the Greek capital is constantly undergoing urban renewals to keep up with the evolution of time. Athens lives up to all the hype! 
THIS IS ATHENS!
Welcome!
Paris is one of the world’s few really legendary capitals. Far from resting on its laurels, the French capital has taken a pro-active approach to enhancing its appeal by undertaking a quality-focused and sustainable development strategy based on constant innovation. This great city is a blend of past and future. Its pleasingly symmetrical layout, the result of the work of visionary rulers and architects, dates to the 19th century, while 21st-century Paris is a laboratory of the future. Paris is a dream destination for French and international visitors alike.
A VIBRANT AND EVER-CHANGING CITY
Paris is a city where a steel and glass pyramid juxtaposes the former library of King Charles V, and home to great architectural projects, from the Grande Arche de la Défense to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. “Starchitecture” projects abound in current-day Paris, designed by the likes of Jean Nouvel, Franck O. Gehry, Renzo Piano and Christian de Portzamparc, and the designer touch has become indispensable for any hotel renovation. Paris has also launched trend-setting initiatives such as Paris Plages, the Nuit Blanche and the Nuits des Musées, which have since been copied by other cities around the world.