Europe Unification Celebrated through 'Sounds of Europe' Event in Dusseldorf
On a dreamy October 5th, the courtyard garden in Düsseldorf transformed into a vibrant hub of European culture, as the fifth annual "Sounds of Europe" festival attracted a record-breaking 4,500 visitors. The event, organised by Europe Direct Düsseldorf, an information office about the European Union, aimed to bring Europe closer to the people in a low-threshold manner, showcasing the diversity and excitement of EU countries.
The festival offered a diverse array of musical styles from across Europe, with acts ranging from French indie-soul-pop-rock to Ukrainian techno, ska, reggae, Afrobeats from Italy, and Slovenian nature tone modulations. The lineup was a testament to the festival's commitment to promoting European cultural exchange through music.
One of the headlining acts was Khrystyna Havrilyuk, known as DJ Bella Kir, who performed despite not being from an EU member state. Bella Kir, who has recently relocated to Düsseldorf due to the war in her home country, was invited to perform to show support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The festival also highlighted artists from multiple EU countries, including an act from Slovenia. Evgenia Strauß, director of Europe Direct Düsseldorf, expressed gratitude for European freedom of movement, having been born in Russia and moving to Germany at the age of 11. She emphasized the importance of the festival in fostering a sense of unity through shared artistic expression.
Information tents about political parties and their views on the EU were present but were hardly noticed. Instead, the festival focused on celebrating the evolution of the European Union, with a special emphasis on the Schuman Declaration, considered the birth of the EU. The Schuman Declaration, presented on May 9, 1950, aimed to remove war-critical industries from national control and prevent conflicts between participating countries. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), also known as the "Montanunion," was founded in 1951, based on the Schuman Declaration, and formed the basis for the later European Community and eventually the European Union today.
In addition to the music, the festival offered various amenities such as cocktails, drinks, crepes, and pancakes, with many attendees bringing their own picnic. The festival's organisers, Europe Direct Düsseldorf, provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about the evolution of the Schuman Declaration and the freedom it has brought.
For those seeking detailed, up-to-date information about this specific festival, it might be helpful to consult official Düsseldorf city cultural event listings, European cultural networks, or the festival’s official website or social media channels.
- The Sounds of Europe festival, showcasing the diversity of European culture, featured a wide range of music genres, from French indie-soul-pop-rock to Ukrainian techno, Afrobeats from Italy, and Slovenian nature tone modulations.
- Evgenia Strauß, director of Europe Direct Düsseldorf, emphasized the importance of the festival in fostering unity, as she was born in Russia and moved to Germany at the age of 11.
- Information tents about political parties and their views on the EU were present at the festival, but they were scarcely noticed, with the event focusing more on celebrating the evolution of the European Union.
- The festival, in addition to music, offered various amenities such as cocktails, drinks, crepes, and pancakes, and provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about the Schuman Declaration and the freedom it has brought.
