Openings event of the BeNeLux Tour
30th of March 2019 | Liège, Belgium
With April and its infamous weather approaching, we are preparing for the first indoor event of the European Public Sphere: three Dome Talks in the shopping centre Médiacité in Liège. Here, citizens and representatives of the public sphere and politics discuss from 10:00h about the future of our common Europe.
More info here.
Dome-Talks at the ECI Day
2nd of April 2019 | Brussels, Belgium
The 2nd of April is a very special day for democracy. It is the day of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), whose implementation Democracy International was deeply involved in. This instrument gives citizens the opportunity to stimulate changes in legislation on the EU level. And what is a better way to celebrate this day than with a collective Dome Talk? Also this year, shortly before the reform of the ECI, we stand up for more citizens participation. And we do this right in the heart of the Europe-city Brussels. Come to the Grande Place / Grote Markt and join us!
More info here.
Dome-Talks in Antwerp
3rd of April 2019 | Antwerp, Belgium
Of course, the metropole Antwerp cannot be lacking at our BeNeLux Tour. Therefore, we build our Europe Dome at the Groenplaats. Just next to the big statue of Rubens and with a beautiful view on the Cathedral of Our Lady, we expect to find more interesting ideas and visions of citizens for the future of Europe.
More info here.
BeNeLux becomes SaarLorLux
18th of May 2019 | Schengen, Luxembourg
Schengen… Naming authority and birthplace of the Schengen Agreement and as such, the borderless European area. And this is not the only reason why this city has become synonymous for Europe. Situated in the southeast of Luxembourg, Schengen lies directly on the tri-border point between Germany (Saarland), France (Lothringen) and Luxembourg (Remich). What is life like in one of the hearts of Europe? What can we learn from this diversity there? How does communality arise? We want to discuss this and other aspects with you and other representatives from all 3 regions under our dome. We will publish the exact location later.
More info here.
Last stop: Luxembourg
19th of May 2019 | Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Just before the European elections, we will arrive at our last stop: the place Clairfontaine in Luxembourg City. The European Parliament, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank, they all have at least parts of their headquarters in Luxembourg's capital. And with their slogans - "The voice of the people", "The rule of law", "Responsible use of taxpayers' money" and "Investing in the future" - they offer more than enough food for thought for a meeting in the Europe Dome.
More info here.
Last stop in Belgium: Ghent
4th of April 2019 | Ghent, Belgium
At the Woodrow Wilsonplein in Gent we have our last stop in Belgium on the 4th of April. This time we will stand in front of, instead of inside a shopping centre and we expect again interesting discussions. Also here, we will be talking about Europe – open and respectful, together and under the geodetic roof of the Europe Dome.
More info here.
Off to the Netherlands of the 14th century
5th of April 2019 | Maastricht, the Netherlands
Place of inspiration, reflection and diverse cultural experiences: that is the bookshop Dominikanen in Maastricht. In the 700 years old Dominikaner church, we collect new experiences. At the foot of the former altar, we will try out the for us new technique of ‘positive talks’, while we enjoy the beautiful, restored ceiling fresco with an espresso from the there located café. Come join us in the, according to the Guardian, “fairest bookshop of the world, a bookshop made in heaven”.
More info here.
Democracy festival “DEMOCRACY ALIVE”
11th of April 2019 | Den Burg, Texel, the Netherlands
On the beautiful island of Texel, the European Public Sphere will be part of the democracy festival “DEMOCRACY ALIVE” for one day. Together with citizens from all over Europe and a multitude of other organisations, politicians, companies, influencers, artists and trade unions we celebrate European democracy and ideals at the Groeneplaats in Den Burg, Texel. Celebrating along is worth it: there are events, discussions, gigs, readings, song contests, ping pong competitions, silent discos. The stage is yours!
More info here.
Dome Talks and Food for Thought
12th of April 2019 | Amsterdam, the Netherlands
In Amsterdam, we will serve a very special dish: our Dome Talks will take place in the gallery of the FoodHallen. This hip place hasn't been so hip long. For several decades the city of Amsterdam tried to find a solution for the huge, unutilized area in the heart of Amsterdam West together with its citizens. Only a foundation set up especially for this purpose made the impossible possible. Today the food halls are a colourful attraction for connoiseurs, but associations with new ideas also have their place in the innovative concept. This is exactly where we are building our dome: on the border between a flourishing restaurant scene and workshops, art galleries and offices used by civil society. An example of a social market economy?
More info here.
Shopping on a new level: Shopping mall Leyweg
13th of April 2019 | The Hague, the Netherlands
The Leyweg shopping centre is a social meeting place in the district. Of course, the European Public Sphere will not be missing here. Together, we discuss the future of Europe in The Hague, the headquarters of a large number of national and international institutions. The more than 150 institutions include major players such as the International Court of Justice and Europol. Perhaps we need to move up a little under the dome.
More info here.
Article photo courtesy of Edda Dietrich.
