In the weekend of 11-13 June the enlargement of the European Union with 10 new memberstates has been celebrated in Wijk aan Zee.

In the "Night of Europe" Wijk aan Zee and the communities in the neighbourhood did invite all their relations from these ten states to come over to Wijk aan Zee and to celebrate this special event.
Wijk aan Zee, Heemskerk and Beverwijk have close relations in Poland, Estonia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. But they expected representatives from the other states as well.

Eight out of the ten new countries were present in the "Night of Europe" in Wijk aan Zee with their very special dances and music, but above all with their passionated enthusiasm. 
 

From the different countries there ware visitors from:

Estonia - Kilingi-Nõmme, a small town that was Cultural Village of Europe in 2005
Latvia - The group Austrina from Riga
Lithuania - Nalsia orchestra from Vilnius
Kankleliai - orchestra from Vilnius
Poland - singers and dancers from Wronki, partnertown from Beverwijk
Slovakia - the village Jakubovany (near Presov)
Czech Republic - Klatovy, choir and chamber-orchestra; Pardubice, musicgroup Trdlo; Klatovy, sculptor Vaclav Fiala
Hungary - the village Pincehely
Slovenia - the villages Velka and Mala Polana

• Click here for the programme from the weekend.

 
Results
 

The Night of Europe has inspired two journalists in the region of the IJmond to write an article under the heading: "The wonder of Wijk aan Zee, the Wonder of the IJmond" (in Dutch).

The Night of Europe has changed the flag of the EU. The stars who were until now very strictly positionated in a circle, started to move. They do not stand in a circle any more and make connections between each other.

In Wijk aan Zee the 'Chapel of Wijk aan Zee', a sculpture of the Czech sculptor Vaclav Fiala has been installed as a memory of the Night of Europe.

The youth that visited the Summercamps of Cultural Village joined itself in the Night of Europe. They organised a young Night of Europe and composed the Rock Europera 

Photos

• A photo impression from the weekend