The wooden construction is intended to symbolise the democratic framework and cultural diversity of Europe and invites discussions about the EU in central locations in cities all over Europe. “The events will be documented and the results then made publicly available,” explained association spokesman Jörg Eichenauer. Gradually, an “archive of the future” for Europe is to be created. Europe experts from Attac, Democracy International, the Young European Federalists, the Pulse of Europe, ecogood.org, IG-Eurovision and the Regionalwert Rheinland AG also gathered under the dome.

Benedict Pocha wants to bring Europe closer to its citizens. In view of next year’s elections to the European Parliament, the former fellow of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation would like to see a European electoral law. “This should be the same in every state in the union.” Transnational candidate lists could play their part in bringing content more strongly to the fore. He sees the model, used for the first time in the last election, to nominate leading candidates in the vote for the head of the Commission, as an example. An idea that Helga and Udo Loest could also gain something from. The two Bonners were made aware of the Europe activists through the striking wooden construction. Like many, they themselves were not politically involved but interested, the couple said. “I hope in particular that we go more into schools in the run-up to the next European elections,” said Udo Loest. “This could help to combat the lack of interest in politics.” (Original text: Leif Kubik. Translation: kc)