All EU membership candidates in the Western Balkans region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) celebrated Europe Day with various festivities. Across the cities, concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances, interactive workshops, and quizzes took place, involving participants of all generations—primarily young people—as well as artists from the region and EU member states.
In Albania, much of May was dedicated to the EU through various artistic events held at multiple venues under the common theme of EU Weeks – A Space for Creativity.
“The EU is a complex construct encompassing many different identities, pasts, histories, and cultures, and yet everyone lives together, connected by a sense of belonging to Europe and a shared desire for peace and a good life. I can’t think of a better way to live,” said Žaklina, one of the artists who took part in the activities.
To mark Europe Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina, secondary school students in four cities took part in workshops where they assumed roles such as EU leaders, diplomats, representatives of EU member and candidate countries, activists, and journalists, engaging in processes of negotiation and decision-making. Through active debate and teamwork, they explored the complexity of these processes.
Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in the country, stated on the occasion that young people are not mere observers in the EU accession process.
“They are already shaping the conversation, and their voices will shape the future,” said Soreca. The EU Delegation noted that the young participants “demonstrated an impressive level of diplomacy, public speaking, critical thinking, and mutual respect and understanding in overcoming differences.”
One of the participants commented that it was not easy: “It’s really hard to always have solid arguments for what you want, and sometimes you need to let go of ideas that seem brilliant. But we need to learn how to act, because the EU is about compromise—and that is our future. The idea of human rights and travelling without borders, with the chance to live, study, and work in such a vast space, is very appealing,” said Amna from Mostar.
Europe Day is an official holiday in Kosovo, and to mark the occasion, citizens enjoyed a variety of events: creative workshops for children, traditional food from various EU member states, classical music and children’s choir concerts, films from European countries. In North Mitrovica, the student dormitory was decorated with a mural celebrating EU values, and participants said there was plenty of laughter, joy, and cheer.
In Montenegro, Europe Day celebrations included the Ministry of European Integration, in cooperation with local municipalities and with EU support through the EU4ME project, organising the European Tour – Games Without Borders from 9 to 20 May. The events took place in six cities (Nikšić, Žabljak, Pljevlja, Berane, Petnjica and Bar), featuring competitions for upper primary school pupils to showcase their knowledge of the EU. They were enthusiastically supported by parents, representatives of the Montenegrin Government, the EU Delegation and EU embassies, as well as famous athletes from the host cities.
In general, the whole month of May in Montenegro was devoted to the EU through art, culture, education, games, and environmental activities across the country. Events also included a concert by the group Perper and performances by a symphony orchestra.
The EU emphasised that Europe Day celebrations serve as a reminder of the Union’s founding principles and values, including stability, prosperity, and unity across Europe.
Michalis Rokas, Head of the EU Mission in North Macedonia, stated at the Europe Day celebration there that “the EU has always been built by those who dared to think and act boldly.”
“Bold action is still needed from all of us, including future member states. Let us continue to build a Europe that stands for peace, democracy, solidarity and shared values,” said Rokas, during an event where secondary school students from several towns played ElectionVille and demonstrated strong understanding of democratic principles.
In Serbia, the main celebration was held in Belgrade on the banks of the Danube. It featured exhibitions, singing workshops, visits to a pollinator garden, children’s performances, and cooking sessions with recipes from different EU member states. One of the silos was transformed into an artwork by NeSpoon, a Polish artist, who painted it with lace motifs traditionally handmade by Serbian women.
“We had such a great time today. The EU seems even more beautiful and appealing now—perhaps not the perfect solution, but there’s no better one now,” said Dejan, whom we met along the Danube.
Europe Day is marked on 9 May in remembrance of the year 1950, when Robert Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, stating that this would make war “not only unthinkable but materially impossible.” On that day, he proposed the Declaration on a United Europe, which is considered the beginning of the formation of the European Union.
“Europe will not be made all at once. It will be built through concrete achievements,” he said at the time. This year, 75 years later, the message Together we are stronger echoed through numerous events.
Europe Day is an official holiday in Kosovo, and to mark the occasion, citizens enjoyed a variety of events: creative workshops for children, traditional food from various EU member states, classical music and children’s choir concerts, films from European countries. In North Mitrovica, the student dormitory was decorated with a mural celebrating EU values, and participants said there was plenty of laughter, joy, and cheer.
In Montenegro, Europe Day celebrations included the Ministry of European Integration, in cooperation with local municipalities and with EU support through the EU4ME project, organising the European Tour – Games Without Borders from 9 to 20 May. The events took place in six cities (Nikšić, Žabljak, Pljevlja, Berane, Petnjica and Bar), featuring competitions for upper primary school pupils to showcase their knowledge of the EU. They were enthusiastically supported by parents, representatives of the Montenegrin Government, the EU Delegation and EU embassies, as well as famous athletes from the host cities.
In general, the whole month of May in Montenegro was devoted to the EU through art, culture, education, games, and environmental activities across the country. Events also included a concert by the group Perper and performances by a symphony orchestra.
The EU emphasised that Europe Day celebrations serve as a reminder of the Union’s founding principles and values, including stability, prosperity, and unity across Europe.
Michalis Rokas, Head of the EU Mission in North Macedonia, stated at the Europe Day celebration there that “the EU has always been built by those who dared to think and act boldly.”
“Bold action is still needed from all of us, including future member states. Let us continue to build a Europe that stands for peace, democracy, solidarity and shared values,” said Rokas, during an event where secondary school students from several towns played ElectionVille and demonstrated strong understanding of democratic principles.
In Serbia, the main celebration was held in Belgrade on the banks of the Danube. It featured exhibitions, singing workshops, visits to a pollinator garden, children’s performances, and cooking sessions with recipes from different EU member states. One of the silos was transformed into an artwork by NeSpoon, a Polish artist, who painted it with lace motifs traditionally handmade by Serbian women.
“We had such a great time today. The EU seems even more beautiful and appealing now—perhaps not the perfect solution, but there’s no better one now,” said Dejan, whom we met along the Danube.
Europe Day is marked on 9 May in remembrance of the year 1950, when Robert Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, stating that this would make war “not only unthinkable but materially impossible.” On that day, he proposed the Declaration on a United Europe, which is considered the beginning of the formation of the European Union.
“Europe will not be made all at once. It will be built through concrete achievements,” he said at the time. This year, 75 years later, the message Together we are stronger echoed through numerous events.
Please wait while your video is being uploaded...
Don't close this window!
