Meeting in Brașov – Three Days of Insightful Discussions and Collaboration
The Third General Meeting and Conference of the COST Action EU-PoTaRCh, coordinated by the Poznań University of Life Sciences (PULS), took place on February 17–19, 2026, at Transylvania University in Brașov, Romania.
The event brought together 70 participants from 22 European countries, creating a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary exchange focused on cultural heritage related to traditional forest-based products such as wood tar, charcoal, resin, and potash.
Day 1 – Keynotes and Stakeholder Perspectives
The meeting opened with inspiring keynote lectures delivered by leading experts:
- Tănase Dobre (National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania)
- Meinrad Pohl (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway)
A valuable stakeholder perspective was provided by Antonio Martin Chicote (Cabaña Real de Carreteros, Burgos, Spain), representing a cultural and educational association that bridges historical traditions with contemporary applications of natural resources.
Scientific Sessions and Collaborative Outputs
Throughout the conference, participants presented both oral communications and posters addressing key themes of the Action, including:
- innovative tourism concepts linked to forest heritage preservation
- development of a European educational trail
- preparation of a white paper for policymakers and international organizations
- creation of a comprehensive catalogue of production maps, archives, photographs, and materials related to socio-ecological systems
These contributions highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of EU-PoTaRCh, combining science, heritage, education, and policy.
Day 2 – Working Groups and Creative Exchange
The second day was dedicated to Working Group meetings, where participants advanced the core objectives of the Action through intensive collaboration on joint outputs, publications, and international initiatives.
An additional highlight of the programme was a unique session devoted to haiku poetry, created by members of the EU-PoTaRCh network—an inspiring example of integrating creativity with scientific collaboration.
Strengthening the Network
Over three days, the meeting fostered strong connections between researchers, stakeholders, and institutions, reinforcing the shared mission of preserving and promoting Europe’s forest-based cultural heritage.
The exchange of ideas, experiences, and methodologies significantly contributed to the progress of ongoing activities and future initiatives within the Action.
Looking Ahead
The next General Meeting of the COST Action EU-PoTaRCh will take place in May 2027 in Athens, Greece.
