Europe DayEurope
Day'25

9 May

For me, Europe Day is more than a celebration of unity – it’s a reminder of the power culture holds to bring us closer, break down barriers, and create shared experiences. As someone deeply involved in promoting cultural programs for children and youth in Montenegro, I see firsthand how art and heritage foster empathy, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. 

 Europe Day symbolizes hope – the hope that through collaboration, we can build a continent where every young person feels valued and heard. I imagine a future where Europe’s diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated, where creativity fuels innovation, and where cultural initiatives inspire the next generation to take pride in their roots while embracing others. 

 Taking the day off to reflect, engage in community events, and simply enjoy being part of this vibrant continent feels essential. It’s a way to recharge and remember that small actions in our local communities contribute to something larger – a united, inclusive Europe for all. 

Why not let Europe Day be a holiday for everyone? A day to reconnect, reflect, and invest in the cultural fabric that holds us together. 

#MyEuropeDayOff is a step toward shaping the Europe I want to see – full of creativity, solidarity, and shared dreams. 

This is about my ‘heart-home’ —a spiritual center in the Netherlands. Since spirituality is often associated with negative clichés, I want to present a place that offers a different perspective.

Sada Shiva Dham is an international gathering place that welcomes visitors from all over the world throughout the year. People from various countries and social backgrounds come together, forming a true melting pot. While spirituality is practiced here, the focus is clearly on community, spending time together, and supporting the place through voluntary work. I lived there for five months, and I can truly say that real social and intercultural exchange takes place. That is why I would love to share my experience.

On our free day, I would like to cook together with other visitors of the meditation center. We would use vegetables and herbs from the permaculture garden, which was established in 2021. This would be an opportunity to exchange, try out, and blend recipes across different cultures. In this “melting pot,” vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs would come together to create something new.

Afterward, I would like to sit in the garden with the visitors, let my mind wander, and enjoy relaxed conversations. Sometimes, doing less means so much more—simply spending a free day in the midst of wild greenery often provides fertile ground for spontaneous ideas, especially when surrounded by a flourishing cultural landscape. Getting to know each other, sharing life stories—this often inspires self-reflection and encourages new paths. Encouraging each other, laughing, crying, comforting, or just quietly enjoying nature—this is how I would like to spend this free day with fellow Europeans.

Europe plays an important role in cultural exchange—something that is particularly evident at meditation centers like Sada Shiva Dham in the Netherlands. People from all over Europe travel there to find peace, gain new perspectives, and learn from one another. Such gatherings offer valuable opportunities to exchange ideas about different ways of life, traditions, and experiences. Through this, I have learned, for example, how peanut sauce is made in the Netherlands, that the Bulgarian dish Tarator is perfect for hot summer days, and how to dance Sirtaki from Greece. The diversity of Europe becomes tangible here, and through shared experiences, connections form beyond national borders. Because of this, I will be visiting friends in Greece and Italy this year. Europe is not just an economic and political entity—it is also deeply felt on a human level.

To celebrate Europe Day, I envision a series of grand picnics held simultaneously in all EU capitals and other interested cities. These events would feature live music from across Europe, not limited to traditional folk tunes. Modern genres would mix with classical and traditional songs, and translations of lyrics would be provided if the music wasn’t in English.

Food trucks and stands would offer traditional dishes from each EU country, creating a unique opportunity to explore Europe through its flavors. Additionally, stalls showcasing handmade crafts and other art forms from various nations would enrich the atmosphere.

Large screens and cameras would link the picnics, enabling participants in one city to observe and interact with those in others. People could wave, share greetings, and enjoy the sense of unity across borders.

The day’s events would evolve over time. During the daytime, the picnics would cater to families, children, and seniors with a relaxed, inclusive vibe. As evening falls, the focus would shift to young adults, featuring lively concerts or DJ sets to celebrate Europe’s unity in diversity with energy and excitement.

Such a celebration would embody the spirit of Europe: diverse, inclusive, and united.

I’d like to invite people across Europe and beyond to pause for one minute 12:00 noon on May 9, to reflect on our shared European values, and perform a simple act of kindness — making those values visible through small, positive actions in everyday life.

Participants are asked to their actions on social media with #Minuteforhope or any other hashtag in their language like #Minutederhoffnung.

Learn more via this WEBSITE.