The Festival | One Week. One Europe. | Berlin 2012

THIS IS AN OBSOLETE VERSION!!! THIS IS JUST TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE!!! THIS PROJECT IS SUBJECT TO AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS!!!

The Festival
one week one europe GmbH Berlin

Press Release*
Monday, July 11 2011

On Saturday, July 9 2011, “The Festival. One Week, One Europe”, the first people to people celebration for all Europeans, concluded with an impressive closing ceremony. For eight days more than three million Europeans of all ages and from all countries joined together in celebration on Berlin’s prestigious Avenue “17th of June” between Victory Column and Brandenburg Gates.

Visitors came with one great expectation: to meet and get to know fellow Europeans and experience Europe as an entity for the first time. The Festival led to many pan-European friendships. The spirit of a Europe united through its people was palpable. “Finally I know what Europe is all about”, said a 43 year old woman from Lithuania. And Jorge, an exchange student from Madrid added: “This is like the Erasmus experience for everyone, an amazing atmosphere of togetherness!”

Celebrants from 34 European countries interacted and exchanged anecdotes, learned from each other, talked and listened in 10 different venues: the Arena, the Ballroom, the Catwalk, the Cinema, the Gallery, the House Party, the Kindergarten, the Laboratory, the Restaurants, and the Stages.

In addition, 34 Home Zones — from A for Austria to U for the UK — presented the unique diversity of styles and traditions which are Europe. The Great Parade of Cultures on Saturday was made available to TV stations all over Europe.

The media highlight of the event was the three hour Closing Ceremony on Day Eight. José Carreras, U2, Sarah Connor, David Bisbal and other well-known European performers framed an extravaganza show hosted by some of Europe’s top entertainers. TV audiences all around Europe learned about The Festival Competitions featuring the top-rated Euro Dishes, Europe songs, European road movies, Europe collages, and the Eurofashion line. A visibly impressed mayor Klaus Wowereit wearing The Festival shirt with the slogan I am European expressed his gratitude of “being the first host of the biggest European get-together in history!”

Berlin was as a fabulous host for The Festival, offering supporting events such as a museum night, seven club nights, a European night, special city tours, and many other participating venues. Berliners offered Bed & Breakfast accommodations to revelers and parts of Tempelhof Airport were turned into a gigantic Eurocamp for high school and university students.

As a privately funded venture The Festival GmbH had to acquire a total of 30 m € in order to finance the event infrastructure, logistics and programming. These costs were primarily covered by ten corporate partners, 34 cultural partners and through ticketing.

The Festival management has committed itself to re-investing parts of The Festival profit in a pan-European social project.

The second edition of The Festival will take place in Prague in July 2013.

More information at press@thefestival.eu.