Europe takes centre stage in Venice and St Mark’s Square

Europe takes centre stage in Venice from 5 to 31 May with ‘The European Cultural Heritage for the Public’, a big event to celebrate the Festival of Europe, now in its sixth year. Organised by the Comune di Venezia - Europe Direct, the Council of Europe - Venice Office, the European Parliament - Information Office in Italy and the European Commission - Representation in Italy, the event is aimed at highlighting the European vocation of Venice as a place of reflection on Europe. It is intended to recall the two most significant dates for Europe: 5 May 1949, foundation of the Council of Europe by the London Treaty, and 9 May 1950, establishment of the European Union with the ‘Schuman declaration’ on the occasion of the Paris speech. Numerous events, discussions and open forums will be organised throughout the month of May in Venice and Mestre. St Mark’s Square, as always, will take centre stage hosting some important events. In particular, the first meeting of the ‘Caffè Europa’ cycle will take place at 5 pm on Saturday 5 May at the Caffè Lavena on priority subjects for the EU, with authorities and experts along with the public. ‘Europe and work’ is the subject of this first meeting. The collective performance of 2000 children, conducted by the performer artist Marinella Senatore and entitled ‘WE the KIDS’, supporting the values of the Venice city council’s awareness raising campaign #EnjoyRespectVenezia, will take place in St Mark’s Square at 11 am on Wednesday 9 May. The public meeting ‘Europe and freedom of information’ will take place at 5 pm on Monday 28 May in the Council of Europe offices (Procuratie Vecchie). This will look at the question of information, given and received, in the Italian and European context in our current and complex contemporary situation. Free entrance by reservation luca.volpato@coe.int. The festival ends at 5 pm on 31 May at the Caffè Florian, St Mark’s Square, with the ‘Dialogue on the future of Europe’ and a talk by Beatrice Covassi, head of the European Commission’s Representation in Italy.      

Information on Europe Direct