Europe DayEurope
Day'26

9 May

What: celebration of peace, unity and connection within Europe.

Where: in and around the Hilversum Town Hall

When: 9 May, start 14.00 and end 21.00

For whom: for everyone, registration not necessary, and free entrance.

After the first small-scale celebration of Europe Day in Hilversum on 9 May 2025 at the Kerkbrink, this year on Saturday 9 May, Europe Day will be celebrated on a grander scale with a varied programme for young and old. Festivities will take place in and around the Town Hall from 14:00, including live music, interactive workshops and information stands about the European Union. European films will also be screened and two mini-symposia will be organized on European Media themes and there will be snacks and drinks from different European countries. The local branches of D66, Democraten Hilversum, VVD, CDA, GroenLinks, PvdA, CU, SP and Volt support and are actively involved in this initiative.

Everyone is welcome to join in and celebrate the European connection together! The initiators of this Europe Day celebration in Hilversum are Adriaan Hebly and Gertjan Reichman. This year, the organization is supported by the municipality and can be turned into a wonderful event. The idea is that this can be built on in the coming years to ensure that Europe Day will be celebrated every year in Hilversum – and in more and more other places. Hilversum is one of the first cities in the Netherlands to celebrate Europe Day and it can be very proud of that.

Europe Day (the EU’s birthday) is celebrated annually on 9 May and is dedicated to peace, unity and connection within Europe. It is a day when citizens, organisations and institutions across Europe come together to emphasise the values of cooperation, solidarity and democracy. Various activities, such as cultural events, debates and information sessions, are organised to raise awareness of the importance of European cooperation. Europe Day is celebrated annually on 9 May because on that day in 1945 peace began throughout Europe after the terrible 2nd World War. The famous Schuman Declaration was also issued on that day in 1950. In this speech, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Schuman, called for cooperation between European countries to ensure peace and prosperity. His proposal formed the basis for the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, the beginning of the later European Union. That is why 9 May symbolises the pursuit of a united and peaceful Europe, and this day is used to reflect on the importance of European cooperation. This importance is greater today than ever.

PROGRAM: Live Music, Films, Taste Europe & Symposia

With music from Europe, food & drinks from Europe, films about Europe, performances about Europe, panel discussions between MEPs and local entrepreneurs about Europe, with information stalls about Europe, with European games and more…

Time: Saturday 9 May 2026, between 14.00 and 21.00 hrs
Location: Dudokpark 1, Hilversum, in and around the famous town hall by architect Dudok
Who: for everyone, free entrance

Program Outside:
13.30 p.m.: Parade Beatrix Fanfare from Market Square via the Kerkstraat to the Town Hall
14.00 hrs: Opening by the Europadag team on the stage in front of the Town Hall
14.10 hrs: Performance Beatrix Band and Jong Beatrix
14.45 hrs: Performance Royal Rhythm
15.30 hrs: Performance Popkoor Prestige
16.15 hrs: Eurovision Sing-along accompanied by Presenter Robbert Jan Proos
17.00 hrs: “Taste Europe” organized by Ronald van der Spek (initiator “Local Food Market”)
18.00 hrs: Panel discussions with MEPs
19.00 hrs: Performance Hummingbirds
19.45 hrs: Dance – Young Hilversummers

Program Inside:
In the Council Chamber:
2.30 p.m.: Symposium: “European Media Autonomy” moderated by Hester Borm
16.00 hrs: Symposium: “European Public Broadcasting?” moderated by Marieke van Doorn

In the Citizens’ Hall:
15.00 hrs: Performance Tjerk Ridder: “Between Borders & Encounters”
16.30 – 21.00 hrs: European films in collaboration with Filmtheater Hilversum

In the Wedding Room:
14.30 – 21.00 hrs: Presentations on European topics:
1. “The importance of Europe for Women” by Nienke Feenstra
2. “The Erasmus Program” by Maikel de Reuver
3. “European Projects at Sound & Vision” by Laura Schotte
4. “Towards a Democratic & Secure Union” by Dr. Maarten Kaptein
5. “European subsidies for the performing arts” by Willem de Jong

In the Dudok room:
14.30 – 21.00 hrs: Short film in “video loop” about the European Union