The European Union, currently comprised of 15 member states with a total of 380 million citizens will be enlarged to 25 members, with the entry of eight central and eastern European countries together with Cyprus and Malta. The enlargement of the European Union brings its total population to over 450 million, more than the combined population of the United States and Russia. It also marks an historic achievement, the end of the East-West division caused by World War II. Moreover, a Europe reunited means a stronger, more democratic and stable continent.

"The enlargement of the European Union is of truly monumental importance. In addition to augmenting the political and economic strengths of the European Union, it marks a giant step towards creating a 'Europe of the peoples', putting forth culture as a vehicle to bring out the common aspects of Europe's heritage, enhance the sense of belonging to one and the same community, while recognizing and respecting cultural, national and regional diversity. Today, our nations come together, to share our common European heritage and to build a brighter future for all," states Ambassador John B. Richardson, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations.

Brooklyn EUphoria is being presented in collaboration with cultural partners from the European Union and Europe, Borough President Marty Markowitz's Office and Brooklyn Information and Culture. The Borough of Brooklyn was selected by the European partners as the site for the celebration in recognition of the Borough's rise as a cultural hotspot, in homage to its long history as a home to European immigrants, and in honor of its culturally rich and diverse population, a feature respected and shared by the European Union.

"Brooklyn is home to hundreds of thousands of newly arrived immigrants, and we are experiencing a renaissance in our creative economy that is reflected in our diverse communities including those representing the European Union," says Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "By choosing Brooklyn for this celebration, our European partners have recognized Brooklyn as the "new" New York and as an international cultural destination. Today, we salute the new Europe with Brooklyn EUphoria, and because Brooklyn is home to everyone from everywhere we embrace the many nationalities that bring us this extraordinary day of music, theater, dance and the visual arts."

Brooklyn EUphoria will introduce artists and artistic works from Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.

This mini-festival marks the beginning of a lasting partnership between Brooklyn and the European Union, with discussions already underway to collaborate on a major festival of new work from Europe to be presented in Brooklyn in 2006.