On 9 May, Vienna’s Café Central will become the Café d´Europe for a day. Hans Winkler, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Franz Schausberger, Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe, are inviting the general public to a dialogue on Europe from 10.00 to 11.30 on Europe Day 2006. According to State Secretary Hans Winkler "The best way to develop an affinity for, and interest in, Europe is by discovering for oneself Europe’s emotional and cultural diversity”.
On Europe Day 2006, 9 May, a Europe-wide project for the general public is taking place for the first time – the Café d´Europe. Under the patronage of the Austrian Presidency of the EU Council, discussions, literary activities and culinary events organised by the Institute of the Regions of Europe will be held in 27 European capitals, in 27 Cafés d´Europe. Thousands of visitors to coffeehouses throughout Europe will discuss visions, ideas, fears and concerns with leading writers and politicians. At the heart of the debate is Europe’s diversity and multi-faceted nature.
The idea of choosing coffeehouses as the forum for a Europe-wide campaign on Europe Day was well received in all the countries – for cafés, perhaps more than any other place, symbolise communication and literary exchanges and are a symbol of a common European heritage.
Europe is more than politics, directives and regulations. Cultural and emotional themes, and the things that connect our continent, will be the subject of readings and debates with Václav Havel and Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek in Prague, Eva Demski and the Minister of State in the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Hildegard Müller, Gheorghe Schwartz and Foreign Minister Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu in Bucharest, Guy Rewenig and Luxembourg’s Minister for Europe Nicolas Schmidt, Gorg Mallia and Foreign Minister Michael Frendo in Valletta, Mihkel Mutt and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet in Estonia, Jan Baeke and State Secretary for European Affairs in the Foreign Ministry Atzo Nicolai in Amsterdam, Josef Winkler and State Secretary Hans Winkler in Vienna, to name but a few.
Everyone who goes to a coffeehouse is invited. In the Cafe d´Europe in Vienna moderated by Dr Barbara Rett, the Austrian writer Josef Winkler will read his story about Europe and encourage those present to write their own story on the spot or to submit it via the Internet (www.cafeeurope.at or info@cafeeurope.at). School classes have also been invited. There will be a great deal of discussion, thinking, listening and writing going on.
Jiří Gruša, the President of International PEN, has composed a text especially for the occasion "Temptress Europe" – an allusion to the abduction of Europa by Zeus - and invited European authors to write their story. From Dublin to Athens, from Lisbon to Riga, Europe's writers and citizens are invited to write their personal "Story of Europe". The contributions will be collected and published.
But what would European coffeehouse culture be without newspapers? For the first time on Europe Day a European daily, "The Europe Journal", will be on display in the 27 Cafés d´Europe. Produced by the editorial team of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, it will have features on 27 European countries. The Europe Journal is being published in German and English.
Europe will also present its sweet side in the Cafés d´Europe and tempt the participants with a selection of European cakes and desserts. The recipes have been compiled in a folder and will serve as a sweet reminder of this day.
Contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Katharina Swoboda
Cabinet of the State Secretary
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3469
mailto:katharina.swoboda@bmaa.gv.at
http://www.aussenministerium.at
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