Sunday

24th Sep 2023

Commission pushes unpopular EU singing show idea

The European Commission is sticking to the controversial idea of a Eurovision-style singing event in all member states to celebrate the EU's 50th birthday next year - but national capitals fear tabloid press ridicule and soaring costs.

Member states' experts in a communication working group were on Thursday (13 July) shown an "indicative list" of commission-proposed festivities for next year, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Treaty of Rome.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Brussels' communication department led by commissioner Margot Wallstrom is lobbying for big-style birthday celebrations to "highlight the benefits that European integration has brought to its citizens," according to the document seen by EUobserver.

Ms Wallstrom's wishlist, presented also to fellow commissioners this week, notably includes one controversial idea originally proposed by Belgium to organise an EU-wide song party.

Diplomats said the idea has sparked feelings of disgust among new member states, which are reminded of "Stalinist times" when people were forced to sing.

But despite national experts describing the idea as a "non-starter," the Eurovision idea still figures prominently in the commission document under the title "Europe Singing and Giving," with the revenues of the event planned for charity.

According to the text, "'Europe Singing and Giving' could be organised in all member states next summer with different types of music."

"The involvement of/possible linkages with the Eurovision contest could be seriously considered in this respect," the note says, adding that costs still need to be evaluated.

Member states grumpy

Brussels also intends to spend around €300,000 on the appointment of 50 citizen "ambassadors," dubbed the "Faces of Europe," who are supposed to "tell their story" throughout the year on what the EU means to them in their daily life.

Ms Wallstrom further proposes a "competition to invite young writers to create a small novel around the notion of freedom to travel within the EU (also creating or revisiting European legendary personages)."

Member states are meanwhile being asked by Brussels to strike a commemorative two-euro coin with a common design.

The total cost of the plans are not known yet, but Ms Wallstrom's department alone foresees spending of over €7 million.

Brussels notes in the document that member states also need to contribute financially to guarantee a "successful outcome," which according to diplomats is one key reason why many national governments are grumpy about the plans.

On top of financial concerns, EU capitals fear that the festivities - the Eurovision project in particular - will be ridiculed by tabloid press, with some commission representations in member states reportedly strongly echoeing these fears.

50 cakes?

But member states seem to agree on the idea that there should be at least "one or two" EU-wide birthday activities and have agreed to file concrete proposals before the end of this month.

In the national communication experts meetings, termed by one contact as "extremely funny," a number of ideas has been floating around including a weekend with reduced air or train tickets to celebrate freedom of movement.

The commission, member states and the European Parliament are expected to agree on the final list of EU-activities at the end of September.

Meanwhile Germany, which will hold the EU presidency during the anniversary year, will in any case go ahead with its own idea to let "thousands" of its bakeries bake 50 sorts of cakes with recipes from all 25 member states.

The Germans were initially thinking about two recipes per member state which amount to exactly 50 - the anniversary number.

But in one communication experts meeting, a clever participant reportedly asked "what do you do when Romania and Bulgaria enter [the EU] next year?"

A German contact acknowledged the problem, but added "I'm sure we will find a solution."

Analysis

Von der Leyen overlooks cost-of-living crisis and job quality

Von der Leyen's speech focused on labour and skills shortages, inflation and improving the business environment. Some trade unions, political groups, and organisations felt that there were missed opportunities to outline a roadmap for a social Europe.

Agenda

Spain's EU-language bid and UN summit This WEEK

While the heads of EU institutions are in New York for the UN high level meeting, Spain's EU presidency will try to convince ministers to make Catalan, Basque, and Galician official EU languages.

Latest News

  1. Europe's energy strategy: A tale of competing priorities
  2. Why Greek state workers are protesting new labour law
  3. Gloves off, as Polish ruling party fights for power
  4. Here's the headline of every op-ed imploring something to stop
  5. Report: Tax richest 0.5%, raise €213bn for EU coffers
  6. EU aid for Africa risks violating spending rules, Oxfam says
  7. Activists push €40bn fossil subsidies into Dutch-election spotlight
  8. Europe must Trump-proof its Ukraine arms supplies

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  2. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  3. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  4. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
  6. Nordic Council of Ministers20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  2. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  3. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
  6. EFBWWEFBWW calls for the EC to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us