The "Cowal 2000 The Millennium People´s Festival of Europe" returned once more to Dunoon in the Cowal peninsula

It was the first time that the Eurofestival returned to the same town, Dunoon having previously hosted the festival in 1993.

On this occasion to celebrate the turn of the century the COWAL EUROPE ASSOCIATION organised a tightly packed schedule for the week 22nd –29th July 2000.

About a thousand citizens from the different corners of Europe were accommodated for in host families or local schools with the traditional greeting of "Ceud mile failte".

Fourteen towns from the continent attended the reunion inaugurated by an opening parade through the crowded streets of Dunoon, along Argyll St, with flags & banners, opening speeches, anthems, the release of balloons, not to mention several performances from Scottish groups and a spectacular firework display.
An international mass was held at St. John’s where the Finnish choir gave an inspiring performance.

The Scottish organising committee set up the Euro-Village in a marquee alongside the Queen’s Hall, as a meeting point and the centre for the delegations’ stands. The demonstrations of each region’s cuisine, many of the performances, the tasting of each country’s wares and information were all to be found here.

Near by Eurovillage, in the Queen’s Hall many of the remaining leisure activities, dances and so on took place. It was also here where lunch and dinner were served. The Queen’s hall also served as central offices and reception area as well as being the headquarters for Euro View , the popular official paper of the festival. Here there was also the opportunity to hold meetings and seminars between the different countries giving them a chance to share some of their socio/economic peculiarities and experiences

The centre of Dunoon remained decorated with each country’s colours and other representative posters and objects throughout the festival. Many local shop windows displayed products from the different nations. There was also a free transport service laid on which meant that all the facilities could be visited freely.

In the year 2000 edition the chosen sports were as follows: 5-a-side football, basketball, petanque, fishing, swimming, badminton, tennis, and archery. During the week the various teams participated in the trials established by the organisation, except on 26th when the delegations made the most of their chance to relax and see some of this Scottish region.

The organisation, as in 1993, made different local pubs available to each delegation, as a place where few hours could be spent in a familiar atmosphere reminiscent of their country, with traditional music and so on.

Another great unquestionable success was the "Youth festival", where about an average of five under-25's representatives from each country worked together on a joint project, "The Sea": making shells, mermaids and other such costumes, floats, and music all for a final street parade on the last day of the festival in Dunoon. The final closing gala was another great success. Organisers, sponsors, members of the local authorities all accompanied the delegations at the Dolphin Centre at Hunter's Quay Holiday Village. Here amongst other festive activities the final prizes and presents were given.

MORE PICS- GALLERY

Time

Sun 23

Mon 24

Tue 25

Wed 26

Sat 29

9:00

10:00

11:00

12:00

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

For sightseeing

Lunch

Lunch

Delegations departure.

13:00

14:00

15:00

16:00

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

22:00

23:00

Pub entertainment

Pub entertainment

Pub entertainment

"Beer promotion"

Pub entertainment

Disco.

POS

COUNTRY - CITY

POINTS

SCOTLAND - DUNOON

92

SPAIN - ARANDA DE DUERO

92

LUXEMBOURG - SCHIFFLANGE

82

GERMANY - BAD SEGEBERG

67

NEDERLANDS - HAARLEM

65

ITALY - SAN VITO CHIETINO

63

PORTUGAL - CATANHEDE

55

DENMARK - FREDERIKSSUND

54

SWEDEN - UPPLANDS VÄSBY

53

53