Already more than 6,500 registrations
At the end of July, Bolzano is going to host the biggest European folk dance and music festival, which has aroused great interest. More than 6,500 folk dancers, musicians and singers from all over Europe have already registered. Though, the number of participants is limited to 5,000. Thus, in the next couple of weeks a selection has to be taken according to specific criteria defined by the International Europeade Committee based in Antwerp. The 2010 Europeade is organised by a local organising committee of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Volkstanz South Tyrol in collaboration with the City Council of Bolzano and the International Europeade Committee.
The organizers are pleased with the strong interest in Bolzano as host city of the 2010 Europeade: "No one of us would ever have expected so many registrations. Apparently, Bolzano attracts thousands of young Europeans", says Dietmar Folie, one of the initiators. Even a group coming from Greenland and 16 Italian groups have registered and might be one of more than 200 folk dance and music groups coming from almost 30 European countries that are going to participate in the event. This summer, Bolzano hosts the 47th edition of the Europeade, the first one in South Tyrol. From July 21st to July 25th, more than 5,000 folk dancers, musicians and singers from all over Europe will attend this unique folk festival. The Europeade is all about promoting cultural diversity in Europe and preserving the common cultural heritage. People from different European cultures will be united in music and dance and have many unforgettable encounters. During the five days of the event, they will dance, sing, play music and party together, without linguistic or cultural barriers. In addition to a colourful parade passing through the city centre, there will be several happenings, the "Europeade Ball", as well as lots of dance and music performances spread all over the city. Already last year, the City councillor for culture, Primo Schönsberg, described the Europeade as a unique opportunity for Bolzano and South Tyrol. According to him, the event is all about the wordless understanding among European people: a communication through joy and music.
The organizers are still looking for volunteers for the event. If you're interested you can just register on this website or by sending an e-mail to volunteers@europeade2010.it.
On March 22nd at 10:30 a.m., the event will be presented during a press conference in the City Hall of Bolzano. Among others, the Mayor of Bolzano, Luigi Spagnolli, the president of the International Europeade Committee, Bruno Peeters, and the local organising committee will attend this presentation.