KENNEBUNK — For over 1,300 years, multitudes of European Christians made their pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James, the Apostle located in a small village in northwestern Spain. They traveled by foot, horseback or burro for many months and the various paths they traveled became known as the Way of St. James or, in Spanish, “Camino de Santiago.” Twenty years ago, few people in America had ever heard of the Camino de Santiago; today this beautiful and historic long-distance pilgrimage has entered popular culture.

Last year, over 30,000 Americans joined more than 350,000 pilgrims from all over the world in walking or biking on the many historic routes all across Europe in a quest to reach Santiago de Compostela. There have been several popular movies (“The Way;” “I’ll Push You”) made about Americans on the Camino and numerous books and articles have been written about the experience. Today, pilgrims embark on their Camino for many reasons, some for spiritual or religious, but most others seeking a new challenge, making new friends or after a life transition.

Joan and Sam Hull, residents of Arundel since 2007, have been “perigrinos” numerous times on the Camino in Spain as well as the Via di Francesco (“Way of St. Francis”) in Italy. They have completed several long-distance walks in England, including the Cotswold Way and the South Downs Way and next year plan to walk the Pilgrims Way from London to Canterbury and after crossing the Bay of Biscay, continue in Spain on the Camino Ingles to Santiago.

The couple will be in at the Kennebunk Free Library at 6 p.m. on Aug. 13 for an hour-long presentation to people who have an interest in the Camino de Santiago. They will describe the rich history and culture of “The Way,” offer suggestions based on their own experience on how to prepare for walking for two months carrying nothing more than what’s in your small backpack, what equipment and clothing are needed and suggestions about eating, sleeping and the pilgrimage experience.

Whether you’re a Camino veteran, perhaps thinking about doing your own Camino or just interested in learning more about this unique cultural experience, come and listen.

This program is free and wheelchair accessible. The Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St. in Kennebunk, Maine. For more information, call 985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunk.lib.me.us.

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