BELGIUM: Mini-Europe theme park to reopen in time for the EU's golden anniversary

The EU hides many mysteries and nowhere more so than in Brussels, the seat of the executive body of the union of 27 European states preparing for their 50th anniversary this weekend. But one little theme park hopes to demystify this Europe for the Brussels visitors by offering a journey through the bloc's history, its heritage and its gradual expansion - all in miniature but perfect reproduction of landmarks. The Brussels' theme park is in full cleaning mode and plans to re-open on Saturday (March 24), the eve of the EU's golden anniversary, to coincide with the celebrations in Berlin and Rome where the treaty that founded what is now the EU was signed. Since its inauguration in 1989, the parks' history and evolution has mirrored those of the European Union itself. A trip through the little streets and gardens of Mini Europe will reveal a royal monastery, 'El Escurial', built in the 16th century by the Spanish King Philippe II to celebrate his victory over French troops. But the historical divisions and conflicts that defined Europe are a thing of the past. Today, like the park, European countries are closely knitted together. This must be the only place in Europe where you can glimpse at the inclined tower of Pisa from Spain, see the Paris Eiffel Tower whilst standing in front of Brussels' Grand-Place or admire the Sacre Coeur from a little 'giant' wheel. The perspective is homogeneous and united from here. And as Thierry Meeus, the director of 'Mini Europe', says it is a symbol of the European identity. His favourite building is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, because it was the point of convergence of various pilgrimages that started all across Europe. But, just like the European Union itself, the park has had to adapt to change over the years. On March 25, 1957, six European countries signed the Treaty of Rome, pledging to set up a Common Market. Fifty years later, the organisation developed into the European Union -- a supranational organisations of 27 nation states. Since 2004, ten former Soviet bloc countries, as well as Cyprus and Malta, joined the group. The impact on Mini Europe has been radical for some countries which were simply moved out of the way. If only EU enlargement could be so simple. ''We have enough room, even if it means that we had to make quite a few changes. For example, the three Baltic states took the place of Denmark which we had to squeeze somewhere else to make some room. A part of Germany has already been moved and another will be moved next year to make space for, let's say, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, etc... So indeed, we had to make some changes but there is still some room left,'' Meeus describes. Today's union has 27 members, a population of 490 million and an economy equivalent in size to that of the United States. The park contains 300 monuments, reproduced to 1/25th scale. The tallest is the Eiffel Tower. A perpetual work in progress the EU is divided about wider enlargement and deeper integration, about political and economic union, and unsure how to open up to modernity whilst protecting tradition. Meeus says he is disappointed that member states are reluctant to promote modern landmarks. ''I am in talks to get more modern buildings, but it's extremely difficult. For example, when I get in touch with any countries, and in particular the new entrants, they always prefer to have a monument representing their traditions rather than something more modern,'' Meeus said in front of the Baltic states miniature monuments, all landmarks inherited from their past. Estonia is represented by Tallinn's medieval Castle, Latvia by Riga's Freedom Monument that celebrates the country's independence and Lithuania by the Vilnius University founded in 1579. But modernity may not be so easy to represent. One of the only modern feature inside the park, a miniature airport, is already out of date. Sabena, Belgium's national carrier, wiped out by bankruptcy in 2001 to be reborn as SN Brussels. And the Concorde, once the jewel of Air France and British Airways, stopped flying in 2003. Instead, the park focuses on a certain quality of life 'made in EU', like a cheese market in the Dutch city of Alkmaar. Here, loving couples can buy cheese together, though a balloon may be a more romantic gift. Europe is happy and at one with itself. Agriculture has always been a point of discord within the EU, with on the one hand farming nations that want to less opening of agricultural markets and those who argue Europe has most to gain from a far-reaching liberalisation of global commerce. When French and Dutch voters rejected an EU constitution in 2005 intended to adapt the bloc's creaking institutions to cope with increased membership, one factor was discontent at the eastward enlargement and fear of giant Muslim Turkey joining. ''I would also like to add some new styles like Art Nouveau which is a bit scarce here, in 'Mini Europe', and perhaps other buildings like an orthodox church, a synagogue, all things that marked in one way or another European history... And a mosque? There was some plan for Cyprus but it didn't happen,'' Meeus added. As it marks its 50th birthday, the European Union is paradoxically little loved at home. Studies have shown enthusiasm for European construction tends to ebb and flow with the business cycle. A pan-European opinion poll last year, after a period of high unemployment and low growth, found only just under half of citizens thought EU membership was good for their country. If that pattern holds, the EU should be in for a renaissance as healthy growth returns across the bloc. Life in 'Mini Europe' is simpler. It is also a place where one can live the dream like Parisians who would be happiest living by the sea: all they need do now is come to Brussels and take a glimpse of what it would be like if the Eiffel Tower overlooked the Atlantic coast gazing over at fishing boats on their way to Dover. Meeus is proud of his little Europe. He says it helps people make a positive use of their patriotism and truly embrace their own nations' place in Europe ''It is true that it's very important that their country should be represented in 'Mini Europe'. They like 'Mini Europe' but when they see that their country is nicely represented, the national pride spouts out. And then, and it's paradoxical, when they see their country here, they often feel more European" he says. And to conclude, can you tell if the European flag is hanging the right side up? The answer is: the stars need to point downwards.

ITN Source | March 24, 2007

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