These are just some of the 43 initiatives admitted to “GeoEvents” the call for the promotion of the geological, natural and cultural heritage of the Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark. A public call that involved the administrations and associations of the fifteen municipalities, to enhance the places that tell the story of the Earth’s evolution such as the dinosaur footprint surface in the Altamura area, the Bauxite Mines, the Pulo and Pulicchio sinkholes and the many caves, lamas and sinkholes. 43 projects were admitted out of 51 proposals received for about 87 entities that joined the call, including municipalities, associations and schools that have networked ideas and skills enhancing the Alta Murgia and Premurge territory through the events that will be implemented. “Geoeventi has fully hit the target,” President Francesco Tarantini says “which was to involve the territory in the enhancement of Murgeopark’s geological heritage, urging municipalities and associations to network with each other by devising valuable initiatives. The events will be carried out over the course of a year, animating the territory and contributing to its knowledge.”
Associations including Sigea (Italian Society of Environmental Geology), Club per l’UNESCO, Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Archeoclub d’Italia, Teatro Kismet, Italian Alpine Club, Ente Pro Loco Puglia and Presidi del Libro participated in the “GeoEventi” call for proposals, along with schools and administrations including the municipality of Gravina, Laterza and Acquaviva delle Fonti in synergy with the municipalities of Cassano, Toritto, Grumo Appula and Ruvo. A network of public and private entities that will give life to narratives, virtual tours, orienteering, guided tours at geosites, artistic residencies, theater performances, emotional cartography, multisensory paths, itineraries to learn about wild herbs, music reviews and educational workshops, in relation to geodiversity. The selection of proposals took into account the ability to network by involving multiple associations, institutions and schools, the involvement of experts (geologist, naturalist, etc.) in carrying out the event, the accessibility of the initiative to people with disabilities, the use of materials and equipment with low environmental impact, and the production of dissemination and awareness materials. The events will be carried out with the contribution of the Authority of the Park and scheduled over the course of a year.
