The Federal Government is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome by hosting a big Europe Festival in Berlin on 24 and 25 March. The “Europa-Nacht der Schönheit” (“European Night of Beauty”) and “Europäische Clubnacht” (“European Club Night”) are scheduled to take place on 24 March, and the big open-air event surrounding the Brandenburg Gate will be held on 25 March. The Europe Festival has been organised in conjunction with the informal summit for the Heads of State and Government on 24 and 25 March in Berlin. You can find detailed information about the Europe Festival on the website at www.europafest2007.de.
24 March 2007
The "European Night of Beauty" at the Berlin State Museums
The Berlin State Museums are hosting the "European Night of Beauty" on Saturday 24 March. Between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., visitors can browse the exhibitions and attend the special events on Museum Island and in the Culture Forum. The focus is on selected works by predominantly European artists dating back to various epochs.
The exhibitions at the participating museums offer guests international flair, music, dance and literature by artists from all the EU Member States. One special highlight is choreographer Sasha Waltz's performance. For the first time ever, she and 16 members of her ensemble will be performing excerpts from her opera choreography, Medea, at the Pergamon Museum. The Europe Lounge in the foyer of the Culture Forum is a haven of relaxation, accompanied by music from Clair Obscur, DJ Shazam!, La Shica, Longital and Mr & Mrs Cameron. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is patron of the Europe Festival and he will be presiding over the official opening at the Culture Forum at 7 p.m..
A list of all participating museums is provided on the website at www.smb.museum/europa, and you can also make online advance ticket purchases there.
24 March 2007
European Club Night
European Club Night will begin late on Saturday evening. It was initiated by clubcommission Berlin (an association of Berlin club, party and cultural event organisers). Europe's young people will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the new Europe at 35 Berlinclubs. A total of 100 DJs, over 30 bands and many live projects from all EU Member States will be taking part in this journey through the European music scene. Partygoers each pay twelve Euros for all-night-long entry to all of the participating clubs. European Club Night will promote cultural exchange through music and clubbing, and many of the clubs are representing EU Member States during the Europe Festival.
You can find a list of all participating clubs at www.clubcommission.de.
25 March 2007
Major open-air event
On Sunday 25 March, the Federal Government is hosting a large-scale open-air event. From 12 noon until late in the evening, the Brandenburg Gate will be surrounded by a host of artists from many EU Member States who will be performing according to the motto of "Voices of Europe". The big stage is the backdrop for the event's live performance highlights, including British rock legend Joe Cocker, Italian singer Gianna Nannini and Monrose from Germany. TV presenter Bärbel Schäfer will be taking the onlookers through the programme.
The following artists will also be performing: the Blue Man Group (UK and other), La Shica (Spain), Outlandish (Denmark), Beatbox Battle Allstars (Poland, Czech Republic, Germany), Mahala Raï Banda (Romania), Babylon Circus (France), the German Armed Forces' Big Band, The Unusual Suspects, Pohlmann, Slam Poetry with Bas Böttcher, Flying Steps (all Germany). The evening's entertainment will culminate in a firework display, accompanied by the music of the RIAS Youth Orchestra.
75 information marquees will be set up along the 'Straße des 17. Juni', on 'Pariser Platz' plaza and around Brandenburg Gate. Some will be manned by the German government, others by commercial organizations, organizations that are actively involved in European policymaking and organizations providing a wide range information on Europe-related cultural topics. Each of the EU Member States also has its own stand. So do the State of Berlin and the Bundesrat. Finally, "Insight and Outlook Day" at the German Bundestag provides you with an opportunity to take a peek behind the parliamentary scenes.
Berlin's bakeries and confectioners will be presenting their sweet and savoury wares to visitors; all baked according to traditional recipes from the 27 EU Member States.
The "Europe is 50" information tour will open during the Europe Festival from Pariser Platz. The information tour will be presenting interesting facts about Europe in 50 towns and cities until the end of June. Its patron is Federal President Horst Köhler.
Europe House, right next to the Brandenburg Gate at Unter den Linden 78, is holding an Open Day. Visitors can find out about the range of information that it provides between 12 noon and 6 p.m.
Another interesting event taking place on the 'Unter den Linden' avenue is an extensive open-air exhibition with information about the process of European unification since 1957. There are 27 pillars featuring text, photos and videos documenting the milestones from the EU's birth to the new Europe.
All information is available on www.europafest2007.de.
Contact: MEDIA CONSULTA Deutschland GmbH, Mr. Benjamin Schäfer, Wassergasse 3, 10179 Berlin, Tel: 030-65 000 318, Fax: 030-65 000 329, b.schaefer@media-consulta.com
