Jubel – the first European Democracy festival in Brussels

You probably heard already – the Jubel festival, a newcomer in the Brussels Festival scene takes place this Saturday, 22nd of September. The Jubel festival wants to propose an innovative approach in engaging a dialogue with citizens about their concrete concerns and proposals regarding European democracy and the functioning of the European Union. It also wants to identify alternative methodologies to consult and dialogue with citizens.

As organizers put it – the core question at the heart of the “Jubel European Democracy Festival” is: How to strengthen democracy in Europe, identify European citizens’ priorities, concerns and ideas for the EU’s future and their place in this future?

The festival wants to contribute, by means of a bottom-up approach, to the idea of citizen consultations launched by French president Macron and endorsed by his fellow heads of state and government, as well as the consolidated initiative of the European Commission, with the help of a structured output about the future of the European democratic project and the current functioning of the European Union.

The Jubel festival wants to be something completely different than anything that has been seen so far under the European sky. In expression, content and crowd. Democracy and conversation festivals are embedded in the Nordic and Baltic countries’ DNA, where some of them have been growing for over 50 years. Every year citizens, civil society organisations, public institutions and also politicians come together for a democratic experience with dozens of events, happenings, debates, forums, cultural activities and games organized. These are places where all sorts of topics can be addressed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Inspired by this Nordic tradition (which is already spreading all around the world), organisers want to make a truly European Democracy Festival, and this is how Jubel was born.

Want to know more about the program? Visit the official Jubel festival website and notice the activities that you want to join this Saturday!