Celebrating Europe Day in San Francisco 2025
On Tuesday, May 13, the EU Office in San Francisco hosted a high-level Europe Day reception featuring keynote remarks from European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, Deputy EU Ambassador to the U.S. Ruth Bajada, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The 2025 Europe Day celebration marks 80 years since the end of World War II and 75 years to the day of the Schuman Declaration, which paved the way for the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community and the broader European integration process. At its foundation, the EU is a peace project based on fundamental rights and values, which is now more important than ever.
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Gerard de Graaf, Head of the EU Office and San Francisco spoke about peace and war in Europe in today's world: "For younger generations who have grown up in the shadow of peace, it is easy to forget that freedom is never guaranteed. (…) The unshakable bravery of the Ukrainian people reminds us that even in the darkest hours, the fight for democracy must continue. In the face of these global challenges, we are especially grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built here in San Francisco and the enduring ties that connect us across the Atlantic.”
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As a project of peace and collaboration, the Schuman Declaration and Europe Day parallels the collaboration between the EU and the U.S., particularly our host city, San Francisco. The Mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, spoke about the presence of Europe in San Francisco throughout its history.
“You don’t have to look far to see how Europe helped shape the soul of this city—from the founding of Mission Dolores by Spanish missionaries in 1776, to the Italian families who built North Beach, to the talented European entrepreneurs and innovators who contribute to our economy today. (…) Today, twenty-five of the twenty-seven EU Member States are represented here in San Francisco through their consulates, alongside the European Union office. That’s a powerful statement—not just about diplomacy, but about the strength of our ties. San Francisco is a global city.”
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Our speakers reiterated their commitment to EU and U.S. cooperation, as the EVP for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen touched on the tech diplomacy, "The EU and the US stand to gain a lot if we continue our strong transatlantic cooperation and alliance, in particular in the field of technology and innovation, used for the good of our people and of the world."
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Our celebration welcomed over 100 distinguished guests from the diplomatic community, academia, and industry. Guests also enjoyed the anthems of the U.S. and the EU as well as a vibrant jazz, all performed by exceptional students of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The City Hall of San Francisco was illuminated in the blue and gold, the colors of the EU. Thank you to everybody who joined us.
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