An interesting cultural programme accompanies the Dutch EU Council presidency
The Netherlands took over the EU Council presidency in January 2016. Under the motto “EUROPE BY PEOPLE”, the country offers, in parallel with the EU Council Presidency, an extensive cultural programme, inviting citizens to participate. You – and all Europeans – are asked to participate and shape the dynamic process which is not only charaterising the cultural programmme, but the entire European project.
An especially outstandig project is “The Wall”, which aims at strengthening the exchange between politics and the general public. The “New Europeans”, a group of young artists and intellectuals, are artistically responsible for this ambitious project. Along a 450 meter long brick wall – seperating the political world from the public – they create a lively space of encounter strengthening exchange of opinions with art exhibitions, performances and exciting cultural programmes; the public will actively be involved in the programme planning. The future of Europe will be a central topic.
The official start of the cultural programme “EUROPE BY PEOPLE” took place on 4 January 2016 in Amsterdam; with the participation of the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders and the Mayor of Amsterdam Eberhard von der Laan.