Twestival a fund-raising event in more than 175 cities that is organized on the social-networking Web site Twitter is under way in several European cities.

The event, which is raising money for Charity: Water, a New York organization that works to bring clean drinking water to developing countries, is the offshoot of a 2008 fund-raising event in London that was similarly organized by Twitter users.

The concept, however, is no longer confined to just one city. Organizers have used the Internet to spread the event worldwide and they expect to raise as much as $1-million for the charity at events tonight on six continents.

Predictably, Twestival is getting considerable attention today on Twitter.

But participants are using an array of other online tools to spread the word about and participate in the event.

Web browers can watch live video feeds from all of the Twestival venues.

They can also view pictures on the photo-sharing site Flickr.

Chronicle reporters will be covering tonight’s event in Washington. You can also follow the Chronicle‘s Twitter feed for updates.

The Chronicle also invites Twestival participants to share their photos from the event on our Flickr page.

Will Twestival provide a new approach to running charity fund-raising events? Can similar events work on a smaller scale for local charities?

Click on the comments link below this post to share your thoughts.