News

A different look at Southeast Europe: EU website puts culture in the spotlight

16 October 2009

What is on the cultural and sports agenda in Southeast Europe? Journalists from the Western Balkans and Turkey present art, dance and theatre, film, gastronomy, literature, music and sports of the region on a website initiated by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement. The website Southeast Europe: People and Culture was developed to raise awareness of the cultural richness of the EU's current Candidate Countries and Potential Candidates from Southeast Europe, and to challenge preconceptions about them. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commented: “This website is a rich source of information that allows visitors to familiarise themselves with culture and ways of life in the Western Balkans and Turkey. It fights old stereotypes by presenting the dynamism and modernity of the cultural scene of the region.” The website features articles about local music scene, film production, books, food specialties and more. An events calendar gives visitors the opportunity to find out about cultural and sports events concerning the region. The articles published on the website are written by journalists and freelance writers from the region itself. The first examples present, among others, the Alpine Ski World Cup of Zagreb (Croatia), the International Ankara Music Festival (Turkey), the record-breaking mosaic artist Saimir Strati (Albania), the Contemporary Art Biennial of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the traditional folk dance Kolo (Serbia). New articles will be published on a weekly basis. Writers and photographers from the region, who would like to contribute, are invited to contact info@southeast-europe.eu. Download the press release here. For more information, please visit: www.southeast-europe.eu Press contact: Suvi Juvonen European Commission/ DG Enlargement Tel.: +32 (0)22 967 250 Email: suvi.juvonen@ec.europa.eu David French Media Consulta International Holding AG Tel. +49 (0)30 65 000 324 Email: d.french@media-consulta.de