FLORENCE, ITALY – The European University Institute in Florence, Italy, joins an initiative of Italy’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers to celebrate the Europe’s 60th anniversary (the Treaties of Rome) with a series of cultural, academic and sporting events through 2017.
Signed on 25 March 1957, the Treaties of Rome established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
The first European Treaty
The first Treaty, signed by high representatives from Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany, brought into existence the European Economic Community, also known as the Common Market. While its immediate objectives were to integrate trade and strengthen the economies of the area, one of its underlying political desires was to «lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the people of Europe.»
The EURATOM treaty instead was meant to contribute to the formation and development of Europe’s nuclear industries so that all the Member States could benefit from the development of atomic energy and that the security of supply would be ensured.
In 1972, representatives of these same six countries would sign the Convention establishing the European University Institute. As stated in Article 2 of the convention, «the aim of the Institute shall be to contribute, by its activities in the fields of higher education and research, to the development of the cultural and scientific heritage of Europe (…) It shall take into account Europe’s cultural and linguistic pluralism and relations with cultures outside Europe.»
The Sounds of Europe
With the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, the European University Institute has organized a concert series to celebrate the diverse musical traditions found across Europe. The seven concerts will take place in important cultural institutions across Florence which have offered to host the events for the Europe’s 60th anniversary.
The Legacy of the Treaties of Rome for Today’s Europe
The Historical Archives of the European Union, together with the Alcide de Gasperi Research Centre at the EUI, has created a travelling exhibit entitled ‘Ever Closer Union: The Legacy of the Treaties of Rome for Today’s Europe.’
The exhibit uses archival materials to visually illustrate the history of European integration, from the signing of the Rome Treaties to the present day.
The mobile exhibition will be hosted by, amongst other institutions, Europe Direct Information and Documentation Centres across Europe.
More…
The calendar includes academic events and seminars, open days at the Historical Archives of the European Union. The Historical Archives of the European Union will open its doors to the public on 25 March for an athletic event ‘Corri per l’Europa’, in the gardens of Villa Salviati.
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