Concept

PopCures initiative

PopCures concept

Wellness and pop culture in harmony with Celtic tradition

PopCures combines the dynamic power of pop culture with the centuries-old traditions of the Celts to create modern health holidays and longevity wellness concepts. Spread from Northern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula and as far as Sicily, Celtic culture played a crucial role in the development of healing methods through natural elements such as heat/cold, water, plants and movement. PopCures integrates these traditions into modern therapies that promote health and well-being through innovative technologies and cultural activities.

European project regions as future locations for sustainable pop- culture health holidays and longevity wellness-cures

The focus of the concepts is the question of whether holiday areas in Europe can become part of pop culture. These can function as model regions with a focus on international health tourism, barrier-free assistance systems, culture for health and fitness entertainment. The European spa tradition, known since the ancient Romans, has already entered the world of pop culture with Empress Sisi. What was once a sophisticated pleasure for the wealthy few in the Belle Epoque is now accessible to everyone, especially for the global pop culture generations* who grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Garden therapy approaches were already in use in ancient Egypt. For example, we know that doctors at that time prescribed stays in the royal gardens for members of the royal family with health problems.

PopCures is inspired by Francis of Assisi, Henry David Thoreau and their deep connection with nature, Asian Zen philosophy (meditation) and 20th century pop culture.

What they all have in common is the idea of peaceful harmony between man and the environment and a return to natural values, complemented by the dynamic power and creativity of pop culture.

The concept now combines traditional spa treatments with cultural therapeutic approaches, natural therapies and health-promoting activities from pop culture, enriched by the use of innovative technologies.

“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”

— Aretha Franklin

In the words of Aretha Franklin,

the importance of music

for people is emphasized.

The classic cure includes a variety of therapeutic procedures, ranging from prevention and rehabilitation to relief from chronic illnesses. The healing power of nature plays a central role, especially in places where natural remedies are found.

Traditional healing methods, including brine bathing cure, drinking cure, thalassotherapy, climate therapy, moor therapy, radon therapy, healing tunnel therapy, Kneipp cure, Felke cure,Schroth diet, clean eating and many more rely on natural resources to promote health.

Physiotherapy, as part of classical healing methods, relies on physical methods such as heat, light and water applications to relieve pain and impairments.

The NATURAL THERAPIES (garden, landscape, forest therapy, ecological health, ecopsychosomatics, phytotherapy) incorporate the landscape characteristics of the regions into the health holiday concepts. PopCures healing gardens support year-round opportunities for development, meditation and practical medicinal plant science.

Incl. applications for pre-aging therapies and cosmetics. Yoga or yogic breathing exercises (pranayama) complement the spectrum of the natural therapies.

What types of artistic interventions can be used in the PopCures concepts?

There are a variety of different health-promoting cultural activities, such as:

Music: to relieve stress and anxiety and to promote social engagement and social bonding. To support memory in dementia, for rehabilitation and therapy.

Theatre and storytelling: to support social interaction as a means of health promotion

Dance and movement: to promote social engagement and physical performance

Reading and writing + poetry slam: to find meaning and reduce risky behavior

Photography and film: to reduce stress and short-term anxiety and combat body shaming
Visual arts: to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and create a positive therapeutic environment
Architecture and design: to improve general wellbeing and perceptions of the healthcare environment
Cultural sites and museum visits: can play an important social role in promoting health, wellbeing and social integration
Animals in pop culture: as a reminiscence of the TV series of the 60 and 70 years ( Lassie , Fury, Flipper, Mr. Ed, Daktari ). Animal-assisted therapies provide support in many social areas and behavioral therapy.
SurfRiders: therapies on and in the water. Surfing, kitesurfing, rowing, fishing, sailing, jet- surfing, stand-up paddling and diving.
Spirit-in-the-Sky: Indoor diving and (bird- flight simulators for therapeutic purposes.

Zen-Biking: a tribute to the Amsterdam WhiteBicycle movement of the 70s

(a precursor to sharing) in connection with meditative e-cycling in nature.
LemonYou: Lemon therapies for detoxification, strengthening the immune system, skincare.

Food as part of pop culture: from fast food to health-conscious foodie is the strategy. Mindful eating, healthy eating with regional foods, healing herbs and spices, careful design of dining areas and food culture. Complemented by Mediterranean nutrition and joie de vivre: Cucina Mediterranean

Innovative technologies also play a key role in the PopCures concepts. These include innovative applications with infrared, oxygen, cold and electro- myostimulation , interactive virtual therapies, telemedicine, artificial Intelligence / Deep Learning / AI, Digital Health, Digital Care ( Blended Care), Augmented and Virtual Reality (Therapy Devices), Virtual Travel / Hiking / Fitness, Virtual Cooking with Recipe Development, 3D Printing for Food, Visual and Hearing Aids with Speech Recognition Systems / Reading and Translation Functions, (Interior) Architecture and Color Theory for Rooms and Devices, Control Systems for Biodynamic Light (HCL), Edutainment, Rental and Sharing Systems Mobility (Wheel Chair, Car, Bike, Boat), Smart Therapy Stations, Smart Home Entertain + AAL Systems with Sensor Technology.

The connection with PopCures creates a contemporary and comprehensive approach. It takes into account not only physical but also psychological aspects of health.

The European initiative PopCures is aimed at holiday and health resorts that are open to new approaches and target groups, especially those from the metropolitan areas and large cities of European countries. The initiative's activities also attract interested parties from North America, Australia, Japan and other regions worldwide.

The activities of the PopCures initiative span various areas and include strategies for IT, art, music, literature, theater, fashion, arts and crafts, handicrafts, health and more. A commitment to slow movement themes, such as slow food, slow city, slow and care mobility, slow tourism , health gardening , green care, health hiking and forest bathing, also attracts guests from other generations .

Option: Surgery cooperatives “Implantology + Therapy”

Establishment of special surgery cooperatives for dental, eye lens and hearing implants, dermatology, angiology and orthopedics, supplemented by HBOT (oxygen therapy), cryotherapy, psychotherapy, LongCovid , fatigue and pain therapy, rheumatism, gout and lupus therapy, physiotherapy, power spine therapy (orthopedics), water and algae therapy, Zen Shiatsu, Zen Yoga and TCM.

*The first pop culture generation, born around 1975, shaped a global youth culture (music, TV/film, fashion, literature) and played a key role in the development of IT and communications technology.