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Diversity in unity
Merlin International Theater celebrates
EU accession with a series of mini festivals
written by Anita Brkanic
 Cultural exchange plays a vital role in getting to know our fellow
nations. Aiming to build up a sense of community in the countries
awaiting EU accession in 2004, Merlin International Theater in
Budapest will attempt to introduce the cultural life as well as
the long-established and new values of the 9 nations that enter
the Union together with Hungary in May this year. Entitled “Beugró,”
the festival promotes international co-operation and friendship
through theater, dance, music performances, literary readings,
and gastronomy. The aspiration is to give a portrayal of all newly
joining countries with the assistance of regional cultural institutes.
Apart from that, the purpose of the program series is to boost
the realization of the international partnership proclaimed by
the Community. Therefore, the festival does not only wish to satisfy
the curiosity of Hungarian audiences, but aims at developing a
long-term exchange of ideas between the countries presented. The
event series are expected to start in January 2004 and will last
until May1, 2004, with a large-scale party planned for April 30
and May 1, 2004 with the purpose of celebrating EU accession. Performances
will be presented in their original native language with English
subtitles, while other programs will be simultaneously translated
to English.
At a press conference held on December 9, 2004 Budapest Mayor Gábor
Demszky pointed out that “knowing a culture of a country helps
understanding its people,” adding that Merlin will be the perfect
host for these cultural events. As Jürgen Köppen, Head of the European
Union Delegation to Hungary, put it, “In Europe we have diversity
in unity.”
Some future events planned by the Merlin International Theater
include producing brochures, CDs, and videos about all the participants
and their productions, as well as developing an interactive website
for the event series. “This is another step to bring the new EU
reality to citizens of Hungary and the citizens of other countries
of Europe,” said Köppen.
Schedule dates for the presentation of the countries: mini-festivals organized
on weekends
· 15-18 January Czech Republic
· 29 January -1 February Slovakia
· 12-15 February Slovenia
· 26-29 February Poland
· 11-14 March Estonia
· 25-28. March Latvia
· 1-4 April Lithuania
· 15-18 April Malta- Cyprus
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