Brussels. 14th of October 2011. The largest European Parliament Visitors’ Centre is now open. Adults and children alike have a chance to discover European history and politics in a mix of refreshing attractions. I visited on the 19th of October, on a chilly morning, before catching my flight home. I thought an hour would suffice.
The Parlamentarium caters to all 23 official languages of the European Union, offers free admission and free guides which display information and short films at all points of the visit. Everything is interactive: you will be guided through the journey of European integration and its impact on our day to day life by a multimedia revolution.
We begin the tour in a yellow tunnel of voices that greet and immerse us in Europe’s multilingual heritage. Our first stop is a room filled with 3D tactile models of the EP‘s three places of work – Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
Going down the stairs, we reach the “History of Integration” section, offering hundreds of iconic images, quotes, short movies and historical documents about events that have helped change the face of Europe as we now see it. With a quick scan you can find out more about any of them.
The subsequent chambers are dedicated to the work of the MEPs (Members of European Parliament).
We get to search members by name, country, political party etc. and read about them. “It’s your choice” is an interactive voting application that allows visitors to cast votes on the topics being discussed and to compare their decisions with those of fellow visitors.
My personal favorite is the “Ground of Stories” chamber. Visitors explore a 200 sq meters map of Europe with almost a hundred interactive points using moveable devices with touchscreens and scanners. They can take a virtual trip through the old continent to discover how the European Union has contributed to the development of the Member States. If you look up, you will be amazed by the unique 3D lighting installation representing a shifting map of Europe. As the light changes, it displays the results of different opinion polls.
Maybe you’re a bit tired. Don’t worry, you can take a seat between two earth globes presenting different worldwide statistics.
As you enter the next chamber, take a look at the 360° surround-screen digital projection featuring amazing locations throughout Europe. Sit down and meet fellow European citizens, willing to share their stories and to explain how the European Union and its policies had an impact on their lives and projects.
Have something to write? Post a message representing your wish from the European Parliament, you will see it projected in a room towards the exit.
A temporary exhibition about the creation of the Parlamentarium was a very pleasant goodbye surprise, as I was able to understand more about the concept, the design, the teamwork and the political dimensions of this project.
As I looked at my watch, I realised I had spent three hours in the Parlamentarium and still felt the urge to come back on another occasion.
Instead of an ending, here are some facts and figures of the Parlamentarium:
Q: What does the Parlamentarium actually mean?
A: Parlamentarium derives from the Latin word “discussion” and -arium is a word devoted to a place.
Q: How many LED bulbs are on the 3D ceiling map?
A: 13.000 LEDs over a surface area of 42 sq meters.
Q: How long did it take to complete the project?
A: 6 years, 3 months and 10 days.
Q: How many litres of paint have been used?
A: 1. 656 litres.
Q: How many photos are exhibited?
A: More than 1.400.
Q: How many meters of cabling have been used?
A: Around 40 km.
Q: How many nationalities have been working together for the realization of the Visitor’s Centre?
A: 36 nationalities.
14th of January, 2012. The third day of protests.
