Every August, as the European Union's bureaucrats go on holiday, the union itself closes down for a month, leaving the residents of Europe's European cities wondering where all the diplomats have gone.

To mark the August break, the dpa English Service will as of Tuesday run a twice-weekly series of stories entitled "Curious Europe," looking at the inventions, arguments and oddities which make Europe an institution like no other.

What is the connection between Colombian coffee and Scottish lamb? Why does Germany come before Belgium in the alphabet? And why does Europe have at least six hearts?

They may not be the kind of questions which often make the headlines, but they lie at the very heart of the European Union.

Created by six countries, and now expanded to take in 27, the EU has a unique history of forging compromises between old enemies. To make those compromises, it has often been forced into positions that vary from the inspired to the ridiculous.

The "Curious Europe" series will look at themes such as the staggering range of over 700 protected foods now made in Europe, the political pitfalls of listing things in alphabetical order when your member states have three alphabets and 23 official languages, the debate over which country really counts as Europe's heart, and a view of the strange silence of Brussels - the European city par excellence - when the Europeans are no longer there. (dpa)