Extra Europa
Press Conference
Wednesday, 12 November 2008, 10.00 a.m
Representation of the European Commission in Austria
Kärntner Ring 5-7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Linz09 is staging the EXTRA EUROPA project to focus attention on Europe beyond the borders of the European Union: Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. These three European non-EU-member states occupy highly divergent positions—politically, economically, culturally and geographically—and are not members of the EU for very different reasons. Within the framework of exchange and cooperation with men and women involved in cultural life and with students and scholars from these three countries, during discussions at a symposium, and on stages, in concert halls and on movie screens, an intense encounter with this extraordinary constellation of three non-EU-member states is meant to enable participants to see Europe in a new and interesting light. Each country will present itself in a variety of contexts; nevertheless, one of EXTRA EUROPA’s aims is a joint statement of commitment to a Europe of cultural diversity. Thus, a consideration of these three countries is also designed to shed light on this Union’s conception of self and to provide food for thought about a “European identity.”
At a symposium (March 19-21, 2009), experts from Norway, Turkey, Switzerland and Austria will scrutinize the media, social trends, culture and the economy as a means of elaborating on “the idea of Europe” and background factors for non-membership in the EU. They will also be looking at future prospects for the role of Europe and the EU in 2020.
The European Youth Parliament-Forum will take place just prior to the symposium. This will be a conclave of 80 students from the three focal-point countries as well as Austria and the Czech Republic. They will be dealing with the same issues as the symposium participants.
The EXTRA EUROPA Festival (March 19 to May 2, 2009) will be a celebration of international art and culture featuring a lineup of approximately 60 presentations in the fields of dance and theater, music, literature, film, comics and the graphic arts. Here, artists and cultural creatives from the Extra Europa countries will get the opportunity to showcase their talents as part of the Capital of Culture lineup.
EXTRA EUROPA is being held in cooperation with and under the auspices of the Swiss cultural foundation Pro Helvetia, Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.
