The HIGHRES project — Helping Intangible Heritage Resilience through Storytelling — will conclude with a hybrid dissemination conference, bringing together researchers, storytellers, cultural organisations and community practitioners from across Europe. Hosted at the University of Milano-Bicocca, the event invites participants to explore how digital narratives can celebrate, transmit and promote Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in meaningful and socially inclusive ways. The conference is open to both on-site and remote participants.

Date & time: Friday 21 November 2025, 10:00–15:30 (CET)

Venue: University of Milano-Bicocca — Aula Pagani (Building U7) and online

About HIGHRES

HIGHRES is an Erasmus+ initiative that provides rural communities with the skills to understand, preserve, pass on and promote their intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through digital storytelling. The project has collected good practices, developed a methodological framework and training pathway, and shared resources to support sustainable local development. It is coordinated by the Vidzeme Tourism Association, alongside partners including the University of Jaén (ES), the University of Milano-Bicocca (IT), Lusófona University (PT), Storytelling Centre (NL) and OnProjects (ES).

What to expect

The conference, under the theme The role of digital storytelling in the promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage, provides an overview of the HIGHRES project and its final results, alongside contributions on digital storytelling approaches and practice-focused case studies from various European contexts, concluding with closing reflections. You can explore the full programme below:

Programme

09:45–10:00 Participants registration

10:00–11:30 The HIGHRES project: storytelling practices around Europe

  • HIGHRES project presentation — Professor Nunzia Borrelli and Lisa Pigozzi, University of Milano-Bicocca
  • “ICH and Storytelling in Araisi to promote sustainable tourism” — Eva Koljera, Vidzeme Tourism Association (Latvia)
  • “How to tell a story in a digital way” — Hester Tammes, Storytelling Centre Amsterdam (NL)

11:30–11:45 Coffee break

11:45–13:00 Digital storytelling in practice: case studies presentations

  • “Digital storytelling: case studies from Spain” — Pedro Ernesto, University of Jaén (ES) – CEI Patrimonio
  • “Social innovation practices in Monte Redondo case study” — Professor Mario Moutinho, Lusófona University, Lisbon

13:00–14:15 Lunch break

14:15–15:30 Continuation of case studies presentations

  • “Intangible cultural heritage and social innovation at Ecomuseo del Castagno dell’Etna in Sicily” — Lavinia Lo Faro, President, Ecomuseo del Castagno dell’Etna; Associazione di Promozione Sociale Trucioli

Conclusions, Leandro França (OnProjects) and Professor Nunzia Borrelli (University of Milano-Bicocca)

Join the HIGHRES final conference!

No pre-registration is required for in-person participation: simply head to the Aula Pagani in Building U7 at the University of Milano-Bicocca on Friday 21 November 2025.

If you would like to join remotely, please register in advance here to receive the access link.