Author: Dir-Gen

Hi!

I'm Fabio, the Director-General of DG MEME. I single-handedly created DG MEME in June 2018 to show that a different approach to EU communication was possible. Some time later I was joined by a few friends that supported me with their insights and I could finally stop to use the royal we.

I have more than 15 years expertise in IT, Photography and Communication and I work as consultant for different companies. I'm currently set in Milan, but when there are no pandemics I'm known for traveling as much as I can. That's how I learned to love Europe, languages and cultural differences.

EU narrative interview

Along the Baltic Way’s memory lane

Post author By Dir-Gen
Post date 23 August 2022
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Brave, daring and adventurous are not the first adjectives that come to mind when thinking about EU functionaries; the tabloid narrative wants them to be boring people, who work the bare minimum and just wait for an undeserved retirement. To fight this negative stereotype, DG MEME created a special unit called STARS (Spry Tattlers of Ancient and Radiant Stories), with the specific aim of collecting truly inspiring stories from our colleagues.

Latvian and Lithuanian Flag along the Baltic Way © Andrius Petrulevičius

Today we have the great pleasure of interviewing Laimutė Pilukaitė, from the Commission’s Representation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Her calm glance and gentle manners conceal her past in the freedom movement that successfully fought for the independence of the Baltic States and her involvement in one of the most legendary (and peaceful) protests of all time.

EU narrative

Season’s greetings

While Belgium introduced COVID restrictions for Santa Claus (“he can come down the chimney but he must leave through the window, climbing down the gutter”), DG MEME was given a glimpse of a few last-minute letters to Santa from prominent European figures:

interview

In the beginning was the Word: conversation with the creator of the term Brexit

Post author By Dir-Gen
Post date 7 December 2020

Today we welcome Peter Wilding, solicitor, media director for the Conservatives, proud remainer, political commentator and, last but not the least, creator of the word Brexit.

“Brexit means Brexit…” How does it feel to give the enemies their most important word?

Tags brexit, uk

EU narrative

Calendar and Gadgets for 2021

Post author By Dir-Gen
Post date 5 December 2020
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Let’s say it: 2020 was not our favorite year, that’s why we decided to celebrate the new year with a few new gadgets and a couple of amazing calendars. Support DG MEME and make a eurocrat happy with these gifts!

EU narrative

Is the EU Communication improving?

Post author By Dir-Gen
Post date 14 May 2020
No Comments on Is the EU Communication improving?

Former Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem was recently selected as testimonial for the campaign “Friendly Faces Of the Institutions” (FOI), aimed to awake a pro-European sentiment in the Eurozone.

Let’s face it, despite an army of officials, consultants and green screens, the EU Communication rarely hits the target: most citizens are unaware of what the EU is or does, they don’t follow or interact with the official channels (unless they are Catalan independentists), and our information rarely reaches them, unless it has been, often negatively, chewed by journalists first.

EU narrative interview

Parlement, the Interview

With Europe Day approaching and no way to celebrate it in person, we decided to binge-watch the TV series Parlement, a political comedy set in the European Parliament and available for free in France (but geoblocked, ironically) and for money in Belgium (believe it or not). We had some EU-talk with one of its authors, Maxime Calligaro, who also has experience in working for the EU Institutions.

EU narrative

Ingeborg’s Monologue

Ingeborg’s monologue from the TV series Parlement, Episode 9

Parlament is a very entertaining TV series set in the European Parliament (we interviewed one of his creator a few days ago). Ingeborg’s monologue, played by Christiane Paul, deserves a special mention for the very concise way in which it sums up the contradictions of working for the Union we love so much, no matter what (the scene is an homage to Spike Lee’s 25th hour).

movies

I am Charles (2020)

Colonel Charles Michel lives an isolated life in the deserted ruins of Brussels, unsure if any other COVID19 uninfected humans are left.

Michel’s daily routine includes short walks to the European Parliament, searching for food and toilet paper, and waiting each day for any humans who might respond to his radio broadcasts. He instructs possible survivors to meet him at the Schuman Roundabout for the European Commission’s Midday.

In the background, thanks to reduced air pollution, one can see the Eiffel Tower.

EU narrative

Interview with the Virus

We’re here today with Dr. COVID19 Corona, one of the global celebrities of this century. How do you feel today, Dr. Corona?
A bit weak, many people respected social distancing and this is causing me troubles sleeping at night. But overall I’m still strong

EU narrative

The European Council Explained with Pizza

Post author By Dir-Gen
Post date 21 February 2020
No Comments on The European Council Explained with Pizza

The European Council (informally EUCO) is a collective body that comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.

There is a nice group of friends that regularly meet for dinner in the European capital. Today Leo couldn’t attend because of a bad flu that made him lose weight, but the others are having a great time: