Europe Night in Amsterdam

One of the main events on Europe Day 2007 in the Netherlands was ‘Europe Night’. On the evening of 9 May 750 Dutch citizens bought a ticket to participate in this event in the centre of Amsterdam. The programme consisted of serious elements, like debates, discussions and interviews with and between politicians, journalists and university professors. On the other hand, there was also a lot of entertainment centered around the European theme, for example, French chansons, Dutch poetry, cabaret, the ‘Big Europe Show’, and interviews with European love couples. Even though the well-educated and young visitors (20-30 years old) of the event were not representative for Dutch society, it was a very successful night, where Eurosceptics and Eurolovers put Europe in the spotlight.

In the main hall of the cultural centre 'Felix Meritus' the serious debates took place. As kick-off the Minister of State of European Affairs debated with two unconventional writers on the future of Europe, and on possible reasons why Europe has become less popular with the public in the last decade. The enlargement of the European Union was the next topic of debate, centered around the question if Turkey belongs to Europe or not. At last there was a discussion between two well-known Dutch correspondents about Europe and the media. To what extend is the (lack of) media attention responsible for the Dutch ‘no’ in 2005? And how objective or detached are Dutch media on different European issues?

Interesting as well as entertaining was the ‘Big Europe Show’, presented by a famous Dutch cabaret performer. During this show clichés were battled, knowledge was tested, and games were played. The future Dutch Ambassador for Macedonia, for example, had to answer questions about Macedonia. She did quite well, apart from the many football questions…. Highly amusing in the light of the discussion around East European workers coming to the Netherlands was the ‘Plumber-interland’ between the Netherlands and Poland (see picture). Two excellent plumbers battled for the fame of their country; the public fully agreed that the Polish man had finished his work better and sooner.

Picture: Paul Hilkens

As the night progressed, music took over, and until the early hours people could enjoy European sounds. Outside people were queuing, but unfortunately for them there was no more room inside. Europe (Day) for the happy few.

Suzanne Jansen, Dutch Centre for Political Participation