During a sunny week end, Regent’s Park has seen the installation of a Spiegeltent, a mirror tent built in the 1920’s in the Flanders area. This tent has arrived from Belgium thanks to the efforts of the Flemish Representation in UK and the European Commission, that together with few European countries, have organized a cultural event with music, dances, typical food and an important seminar entitled “ Green Spaces in Our Cities”..

During this seminar, speakers from the European Commission, the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, Royal Parks, the city of Ghent and other British partners introduced their projects. The topic of green spaces in cities is very important and the Government has launched recently a series of new policies, initiatives and funding to promote the good design and management of green spaces. It is proved that green spaces help people’s mental and physical health and also gives a sense of belonging to the community.

The European countries involved in this week end were Austria, Latvia, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Belgium that, represented by their Cultural Institutes and Embassies, led the public to a journey in these countries, some less known than others with stand where food and literature were on display. A stand organized by the European Community with merchandises and brochures was available where quizzes and freebies described the actions of the European Commission, for many something abstract but very present in our life.

The highlights of the days were the various concerts inside the Spiegeltent. Every nation at the Fayre had a group or a singer from their community who in a show of half hour each brought the sounds and the atmosphere of their own countries.

Contemporary music from young Flemish artist Jasper Erkens, alternated with the old fashioned Italian songs by the Duo Compare who played typical songs like “Volare” or other Neapolitan songs. And then American jazz has been sung by Latvian Nelda Kuzuma followed by a performance of Romanian Tango, very popular in Bucharest during the 1030’s. The public could enjoy a very eclectic programme and outside, the students of the circus school from Leuven entertained the visitors with workshops and drum sessions. This event it has been possible thanks to the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum London, the Romanian Cultural Institute, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Hungarian Cultural Centre, the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, the Embassy of Latvia, the Polish Cultural Institute in London, EUNIC London, the European Commission and the Flemish Representation to the UK.