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, which lay the foundation for 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.

Thus, 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 Ukraine’s victory, which we are bringing closer together, as well as a common European future and recovery of the country.

“Ukraine has been celebrating Europe Day for 20 years. Its 20th anniversary has a special meaning – the country is moving towards a 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 fora 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, which is traditionally Ukraine’s heart of Europe Day events, two street expositions opened on 9 May, 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 ‘Together, we are Europe’ exhibition, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, opened on Khreshchatyk Street next to the Main Post Office. It spotlights the European Union’s support, in particular, in humanitarian, financial and military domains.

A ‘Cultural Mosaic’ is located on St. Sofia Square under the slogan ‘Together, we preserve. Together, we create’. It will tell how, during the full-scale war, the European Union is providing 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. Visitors will be able to see 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 was strengthened, how Ukrainian films were produced, and musical works created during the war, and how ancient traditions and Ukrainian heritage pieces saw revitalisation thanks to the latest technology and inspiration of Ukrainian artists and their European partners.

Under 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 diverse, and will take place in a special atmosphere when a feeling of unity and the value of peace are the sources for strength and confidence in victory.

Together, we are Europe!

Find out more about the Europe Day 2023 celebration and activities by following the pages of the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Contacts:

Press inquiries: delegation-ukraine-press@eeas.europa.eu