Dozens of concerts and other artistic activities, sport competitions or general culture contests, 16 subway stations rethought to represent European countries, over 50 films in the European Film Festival, over 160 NGOs, institutions and companies pooled for ONGFest and other activities organized in Bucharest and in the country throughout the whole month . This is the range of events dedicated to Europe Day (9 May), (co-) organized by the Representation of the European Commission and the local information network, Europe Direct.
“Europe Day is a good opportunity to illustrate the cultural diversity of Europe, but also to talk about the support that the European Union gives the rest of the world. Because the European Union is not only a place of internal solidarity between its members, but also of external solidarity. The European Union is the largest donor of development aid, supporting 150 developing countries. This is why 2015 is the European Year of Development, under which take place events in the Herastrau Park, between May 9 to 10 “says Angela Filote (photo), Head of European Commission Representation in Romania.
On May 9, Europe Day, Bucharest residents are invited to participate in ONG Fest, in Herastrau Park, and in the celebration of the European Year of Development on African rhythms to make a ‘European tour’ in Cismigiu at the Member States’ MarketPlace or, at the price of a metro card, on 8 May, to visit the 16 subway stations that host events collectively gathered under “Metro Europe”. Last, but not least, film buffs can watch over 50 recent films from 25 European countries within the European Film Festival.
As regards the events marking Europe Day in the country, residents of Craiova, Iasi, Hunedoara and Targu Mures will watch local editions of the European Film Festival. The information centers of the Europe Direct network will organize events such as concerts (Bacau, Slatina), quizzes (Buzau) or drawings and collages (Ramnicu Valcea, Bacau), sport competitions (Alba Iulia, Ploiesti) or traditional food tasting (Sfantu Gheorghe).
Europe Day celebrated in Bucharest with brass band music from Scotland, Italy, France, Hungary and Romania
The Europe Day will be celebrated in Bucharest on 9 May, from 13:00 to 18:00, with the music of five European brass bands coming from Scotland, Italy, Hungary and France, which will offer recitals at key-points in the Romanian Capital such as Cismigiu, Herastrau or the University Square.
Celebrated on 9 May every year, Europe Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and remind the European public of the three underlying principles of the European Union: unity, respect and tolerance, according to a release to Mediafax.
In this way, the important day will be marked by a special event organised by the Municipality of Bucharest, through ArCuB on Friday, from 13:30 to 18:00.
Five European brass bands will offer unusual recitals at key-points in the city, such as the Unirii Park, the Cismigiu Park (the Gazebo Area) and the University Square (the Statue Esplanade).
The people of Bucharest will be able to view shows full of energy presented by invited bands: The Brass Band of ‘Mihai Viteazul’ Guard Regiment 30 (Romania), The Hussards (Hungary), The Pipe and Drums (Scotland), The Napoleonic Historical Band (France), Bersaglieri Military Band (Italy), celebrating Europe Day together with the over 140 musicians and joining the other big European Capital Cities that host similar events.
The access to the events organised on Europe Day, on 9 May will be free of charge.
Underground train stations to host EU country cultures
On Friday, from 10:00 to 19:00, anyone who will be using the underground transport will be able to better know the cultures and traditions of other EU countries, at 15 important stations.
For the second consecutive year, the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, together with Metrorex and 16 embassies and cultural institutes representing EU member states will mark the Day of Europe by events for
underground transport passengers, brought together under the name of ‘Metro Europe’.
The events will take place at the following metro stations, which will borrow the names of the countries they will represent: Eroilor (Sweden and Germany), Izvor (Malta), Piaţa Universităţii (Italy), Piaţa Unirii 1 (The Czech Republic), Piaţa Unirii 2 (Ireland), Piaţa Romană (Denmark), Piaţa Victoriei 1 (Slovenia), Piaţa Victoriei 2 (Romania), Grozăveşti (Finland), Ştefan cel Mare (Austria), Crângaşi (Spain), Gara de Nord (Lithuania), Timpuri Noi (Hungary), Aviatorilor (Croatia), Aurel Vlaicu (Greece), Pipera (The Netherlands).
Some of the events are musical recitals, video-clip screenings, traditional dance shows or music mixed by DJ.
In addition, an underground train inscribed with the European symbols will run on the Bucharest tube lines on Friday and Saturday.
Metro Europe is a part of the series of events (co-)organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Romania on Europe Day. It includes the European Film Festival (7 – 31 May), the Member States’ Marketplace in the Cismigiu Park (9 May), ONG Fest Herastrau (8 – 10 May) and many more, not just in Bucharest, but also in the rest of the country.
