Europe Day 2023: programme of activities from the EU Delegation to Ukraine

Europe Day, like the anthem, flag and motto, is an official symbol of the EU and has been commemorated in honour of the Schuman Declaration issued on May 9, 1950. This very date is considered to be the foundation day of the European Union.

This year this day is extraordinary. Ukraine is celebrating it for the first time as a candidate for EU membership and for the first time together with the European Union on May 9. For the second time, Europe Day takes place amid the full-scale Russian war.

Europe stands by Ukraine.

Traditionally, the EU Delegation to Ukraine is planning a number of awareness-raising and communication activities to celebrate Europe Day. They will take place wherever safety permits in compliance with the relevant rules. These activities are not limited to the day of May 9, so as many Ukrainians as possible in different regions will be able to join them.

So, in May-June 2023, official EU representatives, diplomats and experts will visit schools, colleges, and universities to celebrate this day together, to testify to the unprecedented EU support for Ukraine at this challenging moment, and to talk about the Ukraine’s victory, which we are bringing closer together, as well as common European future and recovery of the country.

“Ukraine has been celebrating Europe Day for 20 years now. Its 20th anniversary has a special meaning – the country is persistently moving towards the united Europe, where it has always belonged historically, geographically and culturally. And during the full-scale Russian war, the European Union, which has declared peace and sovereignty among its core values, stands by Ukraine. We strive for a real, just peace – victorious peace on Ukraine’s terms. Because we are stronger together. Together, we are Europe.” – said Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine

In the capital city, which is traditionally Ukraine’s heart of Europe Day events, two street expositions will be opened on May 9, where Ukrainians will be able to learn more about the European Union’s decisive and tangible actions to support and protect peace, security, democracy and Ukraine’s victory in the Russian war. The organizers have collected convincing facts and figures that demonstrate the EU’s unprecedented solidarity and consistent and steadily growing assistance to Ukraine since the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Hence, ‘Together, we are Europe’ exhibition, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, was opened on the Khreshchatyk Street next to the Main Post Office. It will spotlight the European Union’s support, in particular, in humanitarian, financial and military domains.

‘Cultural Mosaic’ is located on St. Sofia Square under the slogan ‘Together, we preserve. Together, we create’. It will narrate about how, during the war, the European Union has been providing significant dedicated support to Ukraine’s culture and art in order to protect and preserve its cultural heritage, which was under threat of damage and destruction due to the Russian warfare, as happened with the Maria Prymachenko Museum, the Estate of Hryhoriy Skovoroda, the theatre in Mariupol and hundreds of other cultural landmarks. Guests will learn how, thanks to the EU financial support, architectural monuments and museum exhibits were digitalised and preserved in archives, how protection and proper storage of museum collections were strengthened, how Ukrainian films were produced, and musical works created during the war, and how ancient traditions and Ukrainian heritage pieces saw new development thanks to the latest technology and inspiration of Ukrainian artists and their European partners.

Due to martial law and for security reasons, the Europe Day 2023 celebration in Ukraine will not be as high-profile as usual, but still active and generous, and will take place in a special atmosphere when conscious unity of people and the value of peace are sources of strength and confidence in victory.

Together, we are Europe!

Pressrelease