Mayor's greeting

Ladies and gentlemen,
Every city in the world has it's own special spirit and at least one miracle, which is worth seeing with your own eyes. Cherishing the customs of old European culture, the only port in Lithuania - Klaipėda is a wonderful city to be in and to return to. Fascinating by simplicity, friendly people, beautiful nature, rich in history and always young in spirit. We look forward to seeing you in Klaipėda in 2009!
Best regard, The mayor of Klaipėda - Rimantas Taraškevičius

Europeade in Klaipėda

In 2009, july 22-26, Klaipėda will become the 25-th city, having the honor to host the 46-th "Europeade". 8 years Klaipėda waited for the permission, since 2001, when the mayor of Klaipėda addressed the international committee of Europeade with a request to grand the permission to organize this festival in Klaipėda. The dream came closer to coming true in 2006, when international association "Europeade" and Klaipėda city municipality signed a contribution agreement. During this outstanding festival, more than 20 countries with approximately 5000 participants will represent their cultures - dance, songs, crafts.

History

This festival of European folk culture is being organized for more than 4 decades, from 1964. During this 5-day event, up to 5000 participants introduce their national culture elements - dances, songs, crafts and spread the statement of intend for the festival: ,,free and peaceful Europe, where all different cultures of different nations get along". The main goal of Europeade - cherish the colorful variety of European cultures and strengthen the friendship among nations, so citizens of European countries could really understand and gain awareness of traditions and heritage of the old continent.

It all began with the idealism of the late Mon De Clopper (1922-1998), a Fleming, the founding chairman of the Movement for Flemish Folk Culture (the Vlaamse Volkskunstbeweging or VVKB). Together with several fellow members of the VVKB, he organized the first Europeade in Antwerp in 1964. It brought together Flemings, Dutch, English, French and Germans as well as Ukrainian, Yugoslavian and Polish exiles to perform their traditional songs and dances in traditional costumes.
First statement of intend for Europeade was "For the youth of Europe". So clearly it disclosed the aim of Mon De Clopper - to spread peace among European youth. He also believed that, after two world wars, youth has to concentrate on the creation of free and peaceful Europe.
Today, the statement of intend for Europeade: ,,free and peaceful Europe, where all different cultures of different nations get along".

"Europeade" has some interesting customs, which have to be acknowledged at all times. E.g. region, which organizes the festival, gains the right to host the region's welcoming evening. All of the region's and host city's ensembles and folk bands have to attend. The opening ceremony of the festival is also distinctive. According to the custom, all ensembles introduce themselves during it. Europeade is also closely associated with folk songs and dances in town's squares and streets, churches and concert halls. Traditionally, during the festival, special children's programme of the participating bands is introduced. Another impressive accent of Europeade - "Borough of Europe". It's a continuous exposition in public city space, where all participating countries introduce their national souvenirs, books about their homeland, crafts, cuisine heritage. And last, but not least, the festival cannot be imagined without a parade of participants in the streets of the host city or the colorful closing ceremony.