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Europe Day 2023: celebrating European diversity and Unity

10.05.2023 Public Affairs Team, EU Delegation to Zimbabwe

It was 73 years ago, and five years after the end of World War II, that on 9 May 1950, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman called for the unification of Europe to make war on the continent impossible and spread peace and prosperity globally.

EU Day ZW PR

Every year on this date, the 450 million citizens of Europe celebrate the European dream and the founding values under the common motto: "United in Diversity." Our 27 countries form a Union based on democratic pluralism, an open and supportive economy, and a keen sense of our responsibility in the world. Over 70 years, it has not always been an easy path, and although we recognize that every new crisis reveals vulnerabilities, it also reveals that our common interests and the richness of our diversity have made us stronger.

The EU has been accompanying Zimbabwe since its independence and it is committed to a constructive engagement based on shared values and interests. In this era of partnerships based on trust, the EU Delegation in Zimbabwe works on a daily basis joining efforts with Zimbabweans for the country to succeed in its vision 2030.

This year, to mark Europe Day in Harare, the EU and the EU Member States will be celebrating Europe Day at an event on Friday 12 May that will host government representatives, diplomatic corps, international organisations, and civil society, including implementing partners, private sector, political stakeholders, cultural sector, and media community.  Participants will be able to better know and understand the different EU and the EU Member States cultures and to experience our motto in action.

In addition, for the first time this year, the EU Delegation is delighted to join efforts with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) in an exciting project:  the “Culture Month”. Throughout the month of May, the NACZ and the EU will host a number of activities all across the 10 provinces of the country to celebrate the richness and power of cultural diversity. From an Art Exhibition in Chitungwiza, to a culinary exchange program in Matopos, or a story-telling day with schoolchildren, we will experience how culture and diversity unites us! Of particular attention will be the national launch we are scheduling to take place in Binga.

Finally, among other ongoing activities, let us mention the #Europeonaplate series offered by the EU Delegation and the EU Member States Embassies. Through our social media platforms, food enthusiasts can learn and follow different recipes from all around Europe: Poland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, Portugal, Belgium just to name a few.