Thursday, May 12, 2022

Get Out! Celebrate Europe Day at the EU OPEN HOUSE on Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM

Image from EU Open House Day
by Peggy Robin

If you missed last Saturday’s Embassy Tours, you will have another chance to enjoy the tastes, sounds, and sights of many lands – in this case, all from member states of the European Union. On the first Saturday after Europe Day (May 9), the Embassy of the European Union is throwing open their doors to the public – no passports or reservations required! 

Here’s your invitation for this FREE event:

EU Open House is back! On Saturday, May 14, from 10 AM to 4 PM
The European Union and its Embassies open their doors to the public for a day of culture, food, music, and more.
No registration, tickets, or passport required!

This event falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community, a multinational entity that would eventually become the European Union as we know it today.

We celebrate Europe Day by opening our doors to the public so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the European cultures that make up the European Union. Normally you have to cross the Atlantic to visit the EU, but at Open House, you just have to cross the street!

PLAN YOUR DAY

This year’s participating countries and locations are available via our specially curated Google Map.

Heading to an Embassy that’s across town or uphill? This year, we’re partnering with Lyft to give Open House attendees a transportation boost. Enjoy $2 off any Lyft Scooter ride that begins or ends in front of one of the Embassy locations on the map. (Offer valid May 14 from 10 AM-4 PM; no limit per user; discount applied automatically, no code required).

Please note that masks will be required when inside the embassies during EU Open House.

PARTICIPATING EMBASSIES
Here is what you can expect from the EU embassies around Washington, with more details to come! 

Austria and Slovakia, Two Countries – One River:  Discover Austria and Slovakia, connected by the river Danube! Enjoy presentations and a taste of typical food and drinks inside and outside the two Embassies!
Belgium:  Belgium’s capital Brussels is the diplomatic hub of Europe. Take a comic book tour of Belgium, enjoy a freshly baked waffle, take a selfie, and win tickets for Stromae’s sold-out show in D.C.
Bulgaria:  We invite you to taste, smell, discover and experience Bulgaria. Get ready for live music and dancing, art exhibitions, delicious food and wine, and some family-friendly surprises.
Croatia:  Take a journey through this unique land of over 1,000 islands and enjoy Croatia’s musical traditions, nature, and opulent culture and history. Savor the wine from the sunny Dalmatian slopes. Check out your favorite Game of Thrones filming locations. Discover the fastest electric car in the world. Taste Croatian delicacies.
Cyprus:  Discover Cyprus! An island rich in history and culture, and full of wonderful experiences just waiting to be enjoyed. Head to the Cyprus Embassy to meet the “World Heritage of the island: history, myth, religion” and enjoy a taste of Cyprus!
Czech Republic:  Step into the 1930s with a live jazz band, lindy hop dancers, and history of two Czech actors, George Voskovec and Jan Werich. Enjoy great beer, food, a dog show, bounce house, and a folk fashion show.
Denmark:  Learn about a more sustainable future and visit Green Denmark. Take a bike ride through Copenhagen, see a giant recycled swan, tour the Ambassador’s Residence, enjoy Danish delicacies, and much more!
European Union:  Learn how the EU is fighting for a sustainable future and the preservation of global democracy by exploring art installations, designing #StandWithUkraine buttons, and interacting with diplomats!
Finland:  What is Finnish everyday happiness made of? Come find out! You get to enjoy nature photos and Moominvalley animations with your family and take a selfie with our Ambassador.
Germany and France:  Two countries, one venue, zero jet-lag! Discover the best of France and Germany in one place at this year’s EU Open House. Enjoy food, music, theatre, art, and more in a family-friendly environment.
Greece: Visit the Greek Embassy to explore a sculpture exhibition by internationally acclaimed Greek artist George Petrides.
Hungary:  Visit the Embassy of Hungary to discover the heart of Central Eastern Europe! Taste Hungarian food, listen to folk music bands, meet Vizslas and experience culture like never before.”
Ireland:   For the first time, the Embassy of Ireland invites you to the Ambassador's Residence. Learn about the historic home & Irish art, connect with local Irish sport & culture groups, and enjoy the craic!
Italy:  Join us from 10AM-12 to visit our 3CODESIGN exhibition, learn about Italian culture and language, and discover our Armed Forces. Don’t forget to taste some pizza, ice cream, and espresso!
Latvia:   Meet Latvian folk dancers and tour the Alice Pike Barney Studio House  – a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places that once hosted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt!
Lithuania:  Come by the Embassy of Lithuania and experience Lithuanian culture, cuisine, and more in one visit! Meet our team and learn about 100 years of Lithuanian-U.S. diplomatic relations in our historic building.
Luxembourg:  Join an interactive journey through Luxembourg’s past, present, and future with a fun trivia quiz. Explore the magnificent embassy building and learn about Luxembourg’s thriving space industry.
Netherlands:  Poffertjes. Stroopwafels. Heineken. These you may know. But we're so much more. Visit us to learn about the Dutch in a fun and creative way. Did we mention the DJ? Yeah, we have one of those too.
Poland: Superheroes are not only cartoon protagonists – they sure do exist! Our superheroes are scientists. We invite you to learn about a number of Polish superheroes and scientists who have changed the world.
Portugal:  Join us to learn more about Portugal while being delighted by food and wine. Listen to Portuguese songs, try our famous custard tarts, meet Portuguese artist Isabel Pavão, and enter to win a trip to Portugal!
Romania:  Come see one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture, while discovering Romania’s traditions and culture through dance, song, and costume!
Slovakia and Austria, Two Countries – One River:  Discover Slovakia and Austria, connected by the river Danube! Enjoy presentations and a taste of typical food and drinks inside and outside the two Embassies!
Slovenia:  Join us and taste fine Slovenian food and wines! Plan your next vacation to Slovenia while viewing cultural displays and products from top Slovenian companies.
Spain:  Plan your next trip, taste some delicious Spanish food, do experiments with Spanish scientists, or stroll through our newly planted gardens and fascinating exhibits, all during this year’s Open House!
Sweden and Estonia:  At House of Sweden, guests have the opportunity to learn about both Sweden and Estonia, try Swedish FIKA, visit the rooftop, a photobooth, the current exhibitions on display, as well as send a postcard, do a quiz walk or simply enjoy a coffee overlooking the Potomac River.

BONUS EVENT:  A key focus for the European Union has been supporting Ukraine. This Saturday, the Ukraine House at 2134 Kalorama Road NW will also be open for visitors to learn more about Ukrainian culture and the ramifications of the current war.

Go to https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-states-america/eu-open-house-2022_en for all the details. 

~~~~~

Bonus SECOND Event of the Week!

While the “Get Out!” column is usually limited to one event, we thought we’d add a reminder to the event announcement posted at Message   "Acton Children's Business Fair This Saturday in Cleveland Park!" It's back after the pandemic hiatus and will be held from 10 AM - 12:30 PM along the Connecticut Avenue shopping block (3400 Connecticut Ave.) This year the kids return with to the sales booths with their own creations, inventions, and products. It’s really amazing to see what these creative young entrepreneurs have come up with – and lots of fun, too!  Here’s the invite: 

Join us this Saturday, May 14, in Cleveland Park for the Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC

Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC
Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10am - 12:30pm
(Rain Date: Saturday, May 21)
3411 Connecticut Avenue NW in Cleveland Park

  • Outdoor craft market with 80 small businesses run by young entrepreneurs ages 6 to 14.
  • Shop original artwork and photography, homemade candles and body scrubs, jewelry, origami, and more!

Entry is free and open to the public. Please note that many of the children entrepreneurs will only be accepting only cash (so we suggest you bring cash as their products will be hard to resist!).

-----------

The “Get Out” Event of the Week (or TWO events of the week, on occasion) is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

No comments:

Post a Comment