The Center received its first GTKE in March 2013 that ran until May 2014. The first GTKE was designed to increase awareness of the deep ties that connect residents in our community to citizens in the European Union and to better familiarize members of our community with the European Union. In addition to emphasizing these transnational connections, we also focused on modern European culture and the changes that have taken place in European politics and history in the heady days and difficulties since the collapse of communism. To achieve these goals we undertook a number of activities aimed at different segments of our community, focusing not only on university students and faculty, but also those in the K-12 community, business community, and surrounding counties. A number of our programs targeted multiple audiences, such as the Viva Europe festival, the Getting to Know You: Our Neighbors of European Heritage oral history project, and the GTKE – A Study in Gender Roles: He, She, Me exhibit at the Harn Museum of Art. The oral history project provided a very intimate and personal view of Europe. As a result of this project, students had direct contact with European artists and were required to interview and take portraits of local citizens of European heritage.
Other events such as the Model EU competition and the afore-mentioned oral history exhibit also directly involved high school students in European related activities and illuminated the ties that connect Florida and Europe. Through the Model EU competition, students learned about the public institutions and policies of the European Union and how these institutions approach problem solving in an incredibly diverse and complicated environment. Both projects however created a sense of connection with Europe and increased awareness of European culture, topics, and issues, one through institutions, the other from individual experience.
Promotion of European art and culture was also a significant goal of the project, and again we targeted multiple audiences to ensure the broadest impact. We collaborated with the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in their celebration of the 100-year anniversary of Stravinsky’s “Rites of Spring” by sponsoring a pre-performance lecture that placed Stravinsky’s ballet in the historical context of European Modernism. To celebrate Europe Day, we sponsored a talk on modern European dance at the Alachua County Public Library. The ballet and library talk attracted Alachua County residents and the university community; other events, such as the performance of the Salzburg Marionettes, engaged the K-12 community from surrounding areas. For this event CES sponsored a performance for children from a disadvantaged elementary school in Marion County.
Furthermore, CES targeted the business community and in collaboration with the UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR), effectively connected with local businesses in an attempt to increase awareness of the financial and economic relationship between Florida and Europe. As part of this collaboration, BEBR created a database, available on their website, which outlines the connections and trade between Florida and EU countries. Additionally, BEBR faculty promoted this material at a regional convention in order to reach a broader audience and state agencies.