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? With #MyEuropeDayOff, we’re starting something big. 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 2025 across Europe, 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 again, 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.
Need some inspiration? Or you want to share this Europe Day call? We have a social media kit available to promote the agenda and our 2025 campaign, about which you can read more below.
Europe Day belongs to all of us. How would you celebrate it? We’re collecting stories to show decision-makers that Europe deserves this day. Tell us how you’d spend your perfect Europe Day—write it, capture it, or record it—and send in your story.
Europeans often feel ‘Europe’ is far away from their daily lives. We need more common symbols, they say. One of them could be Europe Day. On May 9 we celebrate all the good things our continent brought us. Europe Day also reminds us about all the things Europe needs improving on. For example, Europe Day should be a public holiday.
With the campaign #MyEuropeDayOff we invite Europeans like you to share your reason to celebrate Europe Day. We will publicly share your contribution via this website and other European Cultural Foundation channels. But that is not all, for we welcome Europe Day event organisers to use your contributions in promoting their event.
Your contribution can be a text of max. 200 words, one audio- or video-clip of max. 1 minute, or one illustration or photo per person.
#MyEuropeDayOff
Please share your idea with us via whatsapp or mail:
+31-6-13374838
europeday@culturalfoundation.eu