The Open Letter to Europe project, co-funded by the European Union's Europe for Citizens programme, brought together participants from Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Germany in a three-day event during the International Festival of Poetry and Wine Days in Ptuj aiming to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level by giving voice to literature, creating a new narrative for Europe, and offer a different perspective on current socio-political problems.
The Open Letter to Europe was written by the renowned German author and cosmopolitan Durs Grünbein, who addressed the current challenges of the European Union in a Letter to Europe and its citizens. The author read the Letter of the first time publicly at the opening of the festival. He also presented his motives for chosen topics and his vision of a common European future at a round table, which further stimulated an intriguing public debate. Open Letter to Europe was published at www.versoteque.com and as separate publication in four languages. It was delivered to all Members of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission. It has also been published in important Slovene and European media, such as Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Delo, Večer, Oslobođenje and thus carry significant weight throughout Europe and beyond.
Through various activities, the participants also learned about local history and culture, gastronomy and enology in the context of the possibilities offered by European Union projects, and established new ties with representatives of local organizations for possible future cooperations.
Project partners:
Beletrina Academic Press (Slovenia)
Development Agency North - Dan Ltd. (Croatia)
Slovensko prosvetno društvo Rož (Austria)
Verein zur Förderung des Hausacher LeseLenzes e.V. (Germany)
