My dear friends,
We have been living in crisis mode in Europe since 2020. But, and this is very important for me to say at this point: As friends of the Europeade, we are all ambassadors for a peaceful Europe. While we had to cancel the Europeade in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, we were in Klaipeda in 2022 and in Gotha in 2023, where we cheerfully demonstrated our social cohesion. We also met in Nuoro in 2024 for the 59th Europeade and experienced that, despite all the difficulties in the city of Nuoro, we were warmly welcomed by the people of Sardinia.
It is precisely because of all the adversities that I, as President of the International Europeade Committee, would like to thank you ALL warmly for coming. Every person taking part stands for peace, freedom and friendship for all people in the world. We were able to show our colourful Europe to the people of Sardinia.
But we also don't want to hide the fact that the 59th Europeade was indeed a festival under exceptional circumstances. Due to the change at the top of the Nuoro City Council in mid-June this year, we suddenly had to deal with completely new contacts in the Nuoro City Council and had to completely reorient ourselves. It was not an easy situation with a whole new set of tasks. Also for all the people of the International Europeade Committee and the directing team, who did their utmost to make the 59th Europeade a success, even with tears in their eyes from exhaustion. Many thanks to all our fantastic colleagues!
Although we on the committee could not do anything about the many
inconvenience, I would still like to apologise to every single participant for any inconvenience.
Together we mastered the situation. Sometimes we simply "smiled away" the inconveniences and gave way to the joy of being together. This is the essence of our great European friendship. In conversations with various groups during the Europeade, I learnt that it was precisely this problematic situation that brought us even closer together.
We live and love UNITY in DIVERSITY, DIVERSITY in UNITY.
In great friendship with each other, we have ensured that we have all experienced ourselves together as ambassadors for a PEACEFUL EUROPE.
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Unfortunately, as President of the International Europeade Committee, I cannot yet say where next year's Europeade will take place. But we are confident that we will be able to announce a suitable venue for 2025 in good time. I just had a good conversation via video on 5 August 2024 and hope to see you in the middle of Europe for the 60th Europeade. But it is still very vague, so I am asking for further applications from cities.
For the years after 2026, I have a better feeling about finding a city to organise the Europeade. At least if the general mood in Europe does not deteriorate. Scotland has contacted me about organising a Europeade and I am in contact with the city of PERTH. Specifically, the city of TURKU in Finland has applied to organise a Europeade in 2029. The committee has approved the bid.
But despite all the optimism, I can always analyse the situation in a clear and structured way. Because the financial situation of the countries in Europe, and therefore their local authorities, is getting worse. The security requirements for our major event are also becoming ever greater. But let us persuade politicians not to cut back on Europe's cultural identity. Art and culture are treasures of our European values that are the envy of other regions around the world.
We on the International Europeade Committee are doing our utmost to organise the 60th Europeade together. Perhaps you have good contacts with individual cities. Infect the political leaders in your region with the "fire" that burns in us every year during the Europeade. Together we will succeed, just as we overcame all the inconveniences of the 59th Europeade with our enthusiasm and our friendship.
Together we stand for peaceful coexistence among the people of Europe. In Nuoro, too, together with the people of Nuoro and Sardinia, we experienced a peaceful and joyful Europeade with many unforgettable moments.
Unity in diversity... this stands not only for 5 days of dancing, singing and music, but also for the wonderful Europe in which we live.
Let us approach each other in peace at the 60th Europeade, let us join hands, make friends and thus express that we, as free, sovereign people, are celebrating a festival of freedom and international understanding.
I look forward to seeing you again at the 60th Europeade in 2025.
Yours
Rüdiger Hess
President