Europe Readr is a project initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia on the occasion of the upcoming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July 2021 and realised in cooperation with EUNIC. Europe Readr aims to foster reading culture and critical thinking across societies about the future of living, support the creation of public spaces for exchange and debate on shared European values, dialogue on the European Green Deal, sustainability and urbanism through a curated programme of activities. David SASSOLI, EP President and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs participate to the inauguration of the Europe Readr project in the Citizen's Garden of the EP in Brussels.

Brussels

ceremony

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

Slovenian Presidency of the EU (T)

LOGAR, Anže (SI)

David SASSOLI, EP President participates to the inauguration of the Europe Readr project with Slovenian Presidency: ambiance and speech

Title: David SASSOLI, EP President participates to the inauguration of the Europe Readr project with Slovenian Presidency: ambiance and speech

Arrival of David SASSOLI, EP President and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

Welcome speech by David SASSOLI, EP President (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Minister Logar, members of the EUNIC, ladies and gentlemen. We will give more support in the coming years, we must not stop our efforts. In this context, I am sure that the Slovenian Presidency will also be very sensitive in encouraging, as Parliament has done, all the Member States to dedicate at least 2% of the system for Recovery and the Resilience to the cultural sectors and the creative sector. While the Commission is currently in the process of approving the NRFFs. We want to remember, we do it here again this morning, that the cultural sector cannot return to full normal yet.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, I would like to conclude by congratulating the Slovenian Presidency again on this original and rich initiative, and thank you all for your presence. I look forward to the numerous events that will be organized here too, in this Garden of Citizens. It will be a space dedicated to culture in particular, which we have committed ourselves to renovating and renewing. The project is in the start phase. So welcome to this European Citizens' Garden. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), An&#382;e LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Today is a special day. At this symbolic place, European Parliament's Citizens Garden. We are, hand in hand, with the European Parliament and unique members, launching the emblematic project of the second Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU, the Free Digital Europe Readr Project.

SOUNDBITE (English), An&#382;e LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, I believe the European Readr is exactly such a project. It provides free digital access to an edited selection of European literature, which includes works from all EU member states in the 24 official languages. Readers will have the possibility to enjoy works of artists and their regional languages and in English translation.

SOUNDBITE (English), An&#382;e LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, In this beautiful park, the debate will take place close to the sustainable artistic installation created by Slovenian studio Drevos. The roots represent the inspiration of the Europe reader, namely the Slovenian Project Library Under the Treetops, launched in 2004 when Slovenia joined the Union, while the branches, and that cannot be depicted, representing our European family and our common values. Thank you.

Ribbon cutting ceremony, cutaways (4 shots)