In celebration of Europe Day on 9 May, two extraordinary theatrical performances titled "This is Europe" were successfully staged in Ankara and Istanbul on 20 and 22 May 2025. These events were graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay; H.E. Hendrik Van de Velde, Ambassador of Belgium; H.E. Thomas Ossowski, Ambassador of the EU; and H.E. Maciej Przemyslaw Lang, Ambassador of Poland.

These performances were a collaborative initiative by the Embassy of Belgium in Türkiye, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Affairs. The renowned Belgian EU expert, Professor Hendrik Vos, narrated the compelling story of the European Union, tracing its evolution from the aftermath of World War II. He depicted the EU as an ever-evolving project, shaped by the dreams, interests, backgrounds, hopes, ambitions, and fears of visionary leaders such as Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Charles de Gaulle, Konrad Adenauer, and the Benelux countries. The EU, he emphasised, is a peace project built on consultation and compromise, uniting countries with diverse cultures, languages, and histories in a joint quest for a common future founded on shared values. The narrative was beautifully complemented by the musical talents of Dutch cellist Frans Grapperhaus.

In conjunction with the theatrical performances, Professor Vos engaged in an interactive Q&A session with Turkish professors and students at Boğazıcı University in Istanbul and Middle East Technical University in Ankara. This dialogue provided a platform to delve into the intricate dynamics of EU-Türkiye relations, highlighting the strategic significance of these ties for both parties. The event's logo, featuring a Turkish tulip and a European olive branch, symbolises this relationship—each finding its path to growth and prosperity, sometimes diverging but ultimately converging, rooted in a shared geography

Belgium's organisation of these special events, supported by its partners from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Delegation of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Affairs, underscores its unwavering commitment to the core values of the European Union, which stands as the world's largest internal market and a shared space grounded in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, and a functioning market economy. These events also reflect Belgium's dedication to fostering and strengthening enduring ties with Türkiye, both bilaterally and within the broader context of EU-Türkiye relations

These celebrations have once again highlighted the deep-rooted connections between Belgium and Türkiye, reaffirming Belgium's diplomatic presence in Ankara since 1925.

Press contact : Hannes Dekeyser, Embassy of Belgium in Ankara : ankara@diplobel.fed.be