Mail to Europe
May 9, Europe Day 

Mail to Europe is an action which takes place in the frame of the annual Europe Day.

Europe Day is held annually on May 9 and commemorates the same day in 1950 when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made a crucial speech proposing the creation of a community to merge coal and steel production. This community formed the basis for the creation of the European Union, which evolved into the crucial supranational union, which among other things, guaranteed peace and solidarity among its member countries. Conceived in the beginning primarily as an economic union, the European Union’s sphere of influence increasingly expanded to include non-economic areas in 1992.

A major step in the formation of an international community has been the dismantling of internal borders between member states, which has enabled a new mobility between countries and still represents a great benefit for many people. Young people in particular grow up with this European self-conception and derive great benefit from unrestricted travel and employment opportunities throughout Europe. As is becoming increasingly apparent, the European Union, for all its pragmatism, is also a utopia that has not yet actually been implemented. In any case, Europe as a whole needs a new impetus and a breath of fresh air. 

On this year’s Europe Day, it is no longer so easy to get into personal contact with friends and acquaintances beyond national borders due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With the special offer Mail to Europe, the HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark sets a sign for the international exchange of its visitors: In the context of the current exhibition Europe: Ancient Future, a postcard of the Temple of Europe (Graz 2021), created especially for the exhibition Europe: Ancient Future, will be available free of charge in the foyer. The postcards can be written on and then posted in a specially designated mailbox. 

Put an idea for Europe on paper and send it to a person you would like to convince. The HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark will pay the postage for all mailings to the European area that are posted on May 9.