What do liberty, equality and fraternity mean today? Does Europe still represent the ideals of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution?
Young Euro Connect posed these questions to young international writers.

The idea behind the Young Euro Connect project is to energize the debate about Europe, taking Berlin as its starting point. Our aim is to take a new look at the opportunities Europe has to offer, and encourage an emotional appreciation of these possibilities. Our wish that Europe again be perceived, discussed and envisioned as a vibrant, inspirational subject that affects us all is not solely aimed at the participating authors themselves, but also at those who attend the readings and who read or hear the essays in the media.

The young writers' struggle for words, their search for visions and their emotional involvement in their national histories - something which is still very much in evidence among the young generation - are all aspects likely to appeal to the audience. The young writers' texts are not rigid conceptual documents; they represent exploratory thought on the subject of Europe, thereby stimulating the audience's own critical engagement with Europe and creative enthusiasm for the European project.

The Young Euro Connect project also aims to promote the dialogue among the participants, as well as with jury members and journalists. In this way, the project hopes to enhance the authors' appreciation of other European countries and of national visions, fears and problems that are different from those in their own countries. It is hoped that the encounter, dialogue and exchange between participants will inspire them to think about Europe and to actively commit to both their countries and Europe as a whole.

One priority is to foster links between the writers and regionally significant partners. In the long term, this is aimed at establishing sustainable networks and partnerships between people engaged in the European cultural sector, thereby facilitating future cooperation across the continent. As citizens who are versed in the concept of Europe, and who are supportive of establishing and promoting European values in their own countries, it is hoped that the participants will serve as "ambassadors" back home. The organizers are convinced that only this will make it possible to gain a better mutual understanding and shape our common future.

Contact:
Julia Tutschek (young.euro.connect)
Tel.: +49-30-88 47 13 99
e-mail: julia.tutschek@minzgmbh.de

A project supported by the BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt

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