Volker Hassemer

Volker Hassemer, Founder of Stiftung Zukunft Berlin & Former Berlin Senator for Urban Development and Environment
©Yehuda Swed

Europe is gaining momentum due to external pressure. After many years of hesitation, this is a positive development "from above." It will only be successful and sustainable if the people of Europe embrace this new pace. It will only be effective if they contribute their own ideas to this pace. This is about the development of Europe "from below."

European culture, its actors, artists and cultural workers, organisers and festival makers, belong to the European foundation upon which hopes should be placed. This project offers a concrete approach in this regard. It has succeeded in bringing European cultural festivals together not only as festivals in Europe, but also as festivals for Europe. If the project aims to create a concrete initiative that contributes to accelerating the European integration process, it can help transform the specific occasions created by festivals into forums for Europe. Through this, the cities where the festivals take place and with which they are connected indirectly become active participants in the current European development.