Europe
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On the 9th of May, many Europeans join in celebrating Europe Day. It marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration in 1950, in which he laid out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe.
Background
Every country has its national holidays—moments to rest, reflect, and celebrate. Europe has one too: 9 May is Europe Day—a time to celebrate everything we share. But for most of us, it comes and goes like any other workday. That needs to change.
Europe Day is meant to be a celebration of unity, culture, and connection—so how about it actually feels like one? We want Europe Day to be a real celebratory day—a moment to pause, gather, and celebrate what makes Europe home.
Imagine. Every 9 May, you could be stepping outside to the sound of live music in the streets, flags waving from balconies, artists painting murals that tell our shared stories. Picture the hum of conversation in libraries, where people gather to exchange books and ideas. A Europe Day that isn’t just another date on the calendar—but a day that feels alive in every corner of the continent.
As in previous years the European Cultural Foundation hosts a central agenda including all Europe Day celebrations taking place around May 9, including yours!
Through cultural events, public debates, and exhibitions, Europeans learn about our histories and shared values across our continent to better shape its future. Together, these events help grow a stronger, more inclusive, more democratic, and more culturally aware European community with a shared commitment to the future of generations to come.
We have opened registrations for all your Europe Day events, please feel free to share with us any events you are planning or know of! All the events are listed on this page, scroll down.
To support you in the organisation and announcement of your event we have teamed up with Fine Acts, a global creative studio for social impact. They work with illustrators from across Europe to come up with postcards, posters and even pop-up exhibitions for you to use and mark Europe Day!
You will soon find these items for download here.
In a vote in the European Parliament, on February 12 2019, by a majority of 455 against 170, our Members of European Parliament voted for a resolution proposing to establish Europe Day as a European-wide public holiday. The proposal said that having 9 May as a public holiday everywhere in the EU would “reinforce a European feeling of belonging and create space for civic movements and activities”. Yet, only in Luxembourg and Kosovo is Europe Day a public holiday.
But we don’t need to wait for Europe Day to be an official public day to celebrate it. Here at the European Cultural Foundation we believe reinforcing a European feeling of belonging is perhaps more urgent than ever. Shared rituals such as Europe Day will help make Europe something experienced together. It might start with Europeans all across our continent wishing each other ‘Happy Europe Day!’
On May 9 we should celebrate all the good things our continent brought us and remind ourselves about all the things Europe needs improving on. Europe Day belongs to all of us. How do you celebrate it? You can use this mail-address to share it with us.
Happy Europe Day!