Work in progress

Preparations for the "House of European History" are ongoing. The initiative supported by the EU Parliament in Brussels aims to create an exhibition space and a cultural site for citizens of the Union. The intent is to make known the history of the old continent, to show the stages of the integration process, but also to create an environment that promotes research, debates and a "critical reflections" on the progress of the European Union. "Not a museum but an open environment". The original idea a House of European History is due to the then president of the EU Parliament, German Hans-Gert Pöttering, who, in his inaugural speech of February 2007 said: "I should like to create a locus for history and for the future where the concept of the European idea can continue to grow. I would like to suggest the founding of a "House of European History". It should be a place where a memory of European history and the work of European unification is jointly cultivated, and which at the same time is available as a locus for the European identity to go on being shaped by present and future citizens of the European Union". Pöttering – who in the course of time delved into the details of his ‘dream’ – said that it should be an opportunity "providing renewed thrust to the spiritual dimension of the EU, focusing in particular on the process of community integration of the past fifty years". The Home "could act as an important source of unity and cohesion, inviting citizens to extend their glance beyond national borders and increase the knowledge and sharing of their culture, values and the concrete results they obtained".Construction site in Parc Léopold. In October 2008 a commission headed by Professor Hans-Walter Hütter drew up a draft working paper which established the "principles" that the House was called to comply with. It was followed after a few months by the appointment of a board of directors, chaired by the Pöttering (now former president of the European Parliament and MEP) and an academic committee led by Polish historian Wlodzimierz Borodziej. In the meantime, it was decided to allocate the seat of the school building that housed the dental clinic at the Parc Léopold Eastman, a short walk from the Parliament, to the Council and the Commission, in the heart of the European district of Brussels. The architectural competition held for the renovation and expansion of the old building was won by Ateliers Chaix & Morel, Jswd Architekten and TPF, with a partnership between architectural firms in France, Germany and Belgium. Work is therefore under way. The construction site can be seen passing by the busy rue Belliard. The House of History is scheduled to open in 2014 and it will cost – according to estimates – € 31 million for the renovation and the ‘extension of Eastman building, 21 million for the permanent exhibition and the first exhibitions (furniture, equipment, multimedia, multilingual) and about 4 million euro to build the initial collection, including documents, text and images, videos, testimonials of various kinds, bibliography…A transnational vision. "The main focus of the permanent exhibition will be on European history of the 20th century and the history of European integration, viewed from a broad historical perspective and bringing together contrasting experiences of Europeans in history", states an explanatory note by the European Parliament". The House of European History "aims to convey a trans-national overview of European history", in the course of history, "taking into account its diverse nature and its many interpretations and perceptions". It seeks "to contribute to the understanding of European history, including the wider global context, and to facilitate debate about Europe and the European integration process".Multiligualism, interactivity. The construction works of the House are ongoing despite the high costs involved and polemics between MEPs (some described the project as pharaonic, while others say that only those living in Brussels or who can afford the trip to Belgium, will be able to enjoy it). The EP makes known on its website (www.europarl.europa.eu): "The narrative of the exhibition will be accompanied by a newly-assembled collection of objects and equipped with multimedia and interactive technology". All content is available in the 24 official languages of the EU (current 23 languages plus Croatian) and they will take into account the "educational goals" for schools and for young visitors. the House will also promote new historical research (with a multidisciplinary approach of politics, economics, sociology, geography, literature), debates, support to young scholars, "exporting" in addition, certain events across EU countries.