JGL will host the 2nd International Forum “Hygeia Legacy,” a collaborative educational and professional event conducted in partnership with the Spanish association Aromas Itinerarium Salutis, JGL Pharmacy Museum and Rijeka Tourist Board, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Media, University of Rijeka, the City of Rijeka and Rijeka City Museum.
The forum will be held on 11 and 12 March, bringing together experts in the history of pharmacy, museology, tourism, and medicinal plants from 11 countries. Over the next two days, they will focus on developing the project titled “European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Herb Gardens.” This route encompasses distinctive locations abundant in aromatic knowledge, such as monastery pharmacies, historic pharmacies, historic libraries, botanical gardens, and medicinal gardens in regions across Europe which have historically fostered intercultural and interreligious dialogue through their wealth of knowledge.
“European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Herb Gardens is a wonderful historical journey of discovery connecting European nations and cultures. Over the next few days in Rijeka, we aim to showcase the significant potential of cultural and natural heritage, encompassing tangible and intangible aspects in promoting identity, social cohesion, and human development in Europe, aligning with sustainable development goals and other international agreements like the European Green Plan,” highlighted María Luisa Vázquez de Ágredos Pascual, the director of Aromas Itinerarium Salutis, an association established at the University of Valencia overseeing the project. Today, they bring together participants from Croatia, Italy, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Switzerland, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Lithuania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the project is in the process of applying for a Council of Europe Cultural Route certificate.
In addition to a series of lectures, the second edition of the “Hygeia Legacy” forum was organised with the aim of stimulating the scientific and professional activities of the members and opening new opportunities for cooperation and exchange of ideas.
“We are truly honoured that in Rijeka, at JGL and the JGL Pharmacy Museum, we were recognised as important contributors and reference points for the development of this project. We see this as an opportunity to be present, to share our voice, and actively participate in preserving pharmacy heritage and affirming the pharmacy profession through our initiatives, professional endeavours, and the collection of museum materials – the core mission of the JGL Pharmacy Museum,” highlighted Eva Usmiani Capobianco, member of the JGL Board of Directors overseeing the development project of the JGL Pharmacy Museum, adding that she anticipates the route, if granted a European certificate, will boost tourism not only in our city but throughout Croatia.