European Union

Following the success last year of the first "EU Open Days for Young People" during the EU-China Year of Youth, the Delegation of the European Union to China and the embassies of the EU Member States will hold the second annual "EU Open Days for Young People" again this year. Young Chinese and Europeans will be invited to EU embassies for information sessions, lectures, discussions as well as fun and games over a two-month period from early May to end-June.

The Open Days will take place in the context of the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The Year will see a large number of events and projects hosted by EU Member States and China, with the aim of strengthening intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding through cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue also offers opportunities for Chinese and EU cultural institutions, organisations and other stakeholders to establish and develop structured and sustainable cooperation during 2012 and beyond.

The Open Days will be officially launched by the EU Delegation on Friday 11^th May with a discussion of issues such as EU-China relations, trade, education and career development followed by a barbecue in the grounds of the Delegation. This will be followed on Sunday May 13 by the biggest Open Day this year which will take place at the Embassy of Denmark, current holders of the rotating EU Presidency.

A list of all the activities is available on the EU Delegation website (www.eu-in-china.com) and on weibo at www.weibo.com/euinchina

The EU Member States' Open Days will be as follows: 

Germany: On Monday May 7th, 2012, the German Embassy in Beijing will invite 120 Chinese students and followers of the Embassy's blog to discover the Embassy through different workshops, attend a short concert and meet with the Ambassador Dr. Michael Schaefer to enjoy typical German food and take pictures of a model of the Brandenburg Gate.

Denmark: Whole day event on Sunday May 13^th to celebrate the Danish EU Presidency. 2,000 Chinese visitors will be introduced to a variety of Danish culture, famous brands and guided tours of the residence of the Ambassador displaying Danish quality furniture, design and art. Fans following the embassy’s weibo can sign up for the event online.

 

Spain: The Spanish Open Day on Tuesday, 15th May, will invite young people to attend a talk given by the Spanish Cultural Counsellor at the Cervantes Institute, introducing what Spain does to promote its language and culture.  The talk will be followed by a Q & A session and the screening of a Spanish film. Visitors will be able to have a guided tour of the Institute to see what teachers and students do here and to know more about the cultural and academic activities organized at the centre.

 

Austria: On May 18^th the Austrian award-winning writer Peter Rosei will read in German from his novel “Geld” (money) in the evening at the Austrian Ambassador's Residence. Due to limited space only invited guests will be able to attend.

Greece: The Embassy of Greece will hold its Open Day on May 18 with the Greek Ambassador, the Cultural Counsellor and the Press Counsellor giving presentations to the invited guests. The activities will include the showing of a video followed by a cocktail reception and the presentation of gifts.

Romania: The Embassy of Romania will hold its Open Day on May 26, with full details still to be confirmed.

 

Finland: On May 30^th Finland will hold an EU Open day event in the context of the visit to China by the Minister of Education and Science of Finland, Mr. Jukka Gustafsson, by inviting  Chinese people who have studied or have done research in Finland to the Ambassador’s residence.

 

France: On June 1st the Embassy of France will host its EU Open Day event by organizing a dialogue between the Ambassador HE Mme Sylvie Bermann and a Chinese specialist of European and International Affairs. The audience, mostly composed of Chinese students and young professionals from various fields, will then be invited to enjoy a garden party.

Italy: On June 5^th the Italian Embassy will have two screenings of the Italian film "Sul Mare" ("On the Sea") by Alessandro D'Alatri (with Chinese subtitles), at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30p.m in the Cultural Office.

Poland: On June 6^th, from to 10:00am till 3:00pm, the Embassy of Poland will be hosting a  performance on an open-air stage by Polish-Ukrainian Trio “Dagadana” Band  (folk-rock music), a penalty kick contest with attractive prizes, a lucky draw (official football of EURO, scarves,  hats and T-shirts to be won). Every visitor will have the chance to take a photo with the official mascot of the EURO CUP, visit the premises of the Embassy, enjoy Polish short-films, and sample some tasty Polish snacks & drinks.

Luxembourg: On June 8^th, the Embassy of Luxembourg will open its doors to Chinese and foreign students. The event will start with the screening of a movie entitled “Is it true what they say about Luxembourg”. The students will be divided into groups where they will be given a presentation followed by a discussion, in either German, French or English. Firstly, they will be invited to participate in a quiz about Luxembourg. Then, the students will be invited to take part in a workshop in the embassy’s kitchen, where they will learn how to make Wäffelcher, a traditional Luxembourgish waffle.

Cyprus: On June 14^th the Embassy of Cyprus will open its premises to young students of Hellenic Studies from the BFSU, academics, and guests from the EU Delegation, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

 

Netherlands:  On Friday June 15^th the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will hold its Open Day with a fun event: The Great Dutch Dictation. Anyone who knows (a little) Dutch can participate. Afterwards you can relax with some Dutch snacks and admire the special exhibition about 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands.

Other EU Embassies have yet to confirm details of their Open Day events.