According to Marco Daniel Duarte, his intervention will begin by analysing the process through which the Sanctuary of Fátima developed from the phenomenon of the apparitions of 1916 and 1917, demonstrating how, by drawing on both tangible and intangible heritage, this place has been able to offer pilgrims and visitors a highly qualified experience. His reflection will explore how historical memory, lived spirituality and the museum and pastoral frameworks have helped to differentiate Fátima from other major international pilgrimage destinations, shaping a distinctive model of welcome, interpretation and experience of the religious phenomenon.
The speaker’s academic and professional background further reinforces the intellectual weight of this proposal. Holding a PhD in Art History from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Coimbra, Marco Daniel Duarte currently directs the Museum of the Sanctuary of Fátima and its Department of Studies, as well as the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Leiria-Fátima. He is a member of several national and international academies and the author of numerous specialised studies, several of which have received awards, focusing on religious heritage, museology, sacred art and contemporary culture.
From the event’s organization, it is emphasized that the theme chosen for this edition strengthens the IWRT’s mission as a space for thought, dialogue and knowledge transfer around religious tourism. In the words of the President of ACISO – the Ourém-Fátima Business Association, Pedro Mafra, the selection of this thematic axis reaffirms the commitment of ACISO and the partner entities involved in organizing the event to continue promoting qualified debate on places of faith and spiritual experiences as essential dimensions of cultural and human heritage, especially relevant in a context of increasing demand for meaning, authenticity and transcendence among travellers.
The 13th edition of the International Workshops on Religious Tourism thus once again positions itself as an international reference forum, capable of connecting territories, institutions, researchers, tourism managers and pastoral stakeholders, promoting an integrative vision of religious tourism that combines spirituality, culture, memory, local development and sustainability.
Attendance at the inaugural session of the 13th IWRT—which will include the Official Opening Session, the presentation of the Guest Destination and the conference by Marco Daniel Duarte—is free of charge, although mandatory registration is required. The Organization also kindly asks journalists to confirm their intention to attend the event, in order to ensure better reception and information coordination during the event.
For further information, registration or press accreditation, interested parties may contact the IWRT Secretariat/Organization at info@iwrt.pt, or the IWRT Communication / Press Office at press@iwrt.pt and info@dina.com.pt
