75 years since signing the Schuman Declaration
Let’s come together to celebrate what unites us, #Ertad on #EuropeDay!
Europe Day in Georgia is a tradition that marks a long journey of partnership between the people of Georgia and the European Union. “I am Georgian and therefore I am European!” Zurab Zhvania’s iconic declaration on April 27, 1999, remains a powerful symbol of Georgia’s European path. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the EU’s relationship with Georgia has evolved significantly. On May 9, the 75th anniversary of Schuman Declaration, we will come together to celebrate what unites us. But what truly unites us, after all? Joint projects? Shared Values? Yes, all of this and much more. Above all, it is the spirit of solidarity that Europe Day embodies. A spirit that, even in today’s challenging times, continues to guide the EU’s unwavering support for the people of Georgia —in friendship, in partnership, and in a shared belief in a democratic and European future for Georgia.
Mouskhely’s contribution to European integration
This spirit of unity is deeply rooted. In the aftermath of World War II, Europe’s greatest minds were considering ways to secure enduring peace on the continent. One of them was a professor of law at the University of Strasbourg. He believed that integration—the development of a unity through diversity —was the answer. Michel Mouskhely a Georgian-born legal scholar, became one of the most influential voices in the French academic world. He founded the Interuniversity Federalist Union; similar organisations were founded in Germany, Italy and other European countries. In 1948, he and Professor Gaston Stefani drafted the Federal Constitution of Europe. The 1949 work ‘L’Europe face au federalisme’ (Europe Facing Federalism) written by Michel Mouskhely, is regarded as one of the biggest contributions to European unity.
Mouskhely was born as Mikheil Muskhelishvili in Tbilisi in 1903. He left Georgia to study in Europe, but the occupation in 1921 prevented him from returning to his native Georgia. When the Robert Schuman Declaration was signed on May 9, 1950, the ideas of Mikheil Muskhelishvili and others were converted from theory into practice and served as the foundation for the establishment of the European Union. In the beginning, a European Coal and Steel Community was formed by West Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In the end, it evolved into an entity bringing together 447 million people from 27 nations living in peace and prosperity. The Robert Schuman Declaration’s signing day has been celebrated for many years since then.
“75 years on, Europe Day stands as a testament to the remarkable success of the European project, which began with the Robert Schuman Declaration in 1950 and has brought peace, democracy, and prosperity to all EU Member States. On this day, we reflect on our shared history and look forward to the future we wish to create together with Georgia,” says Pawel Herczynski, the EU ambassador to Georgia.
Europe Day 2025 at EXPO Georgia on 9 May
The European Union’s success story extends beyond its borders. It also encompasses the EU’s partnership with the people of Georgia. This year’s Europe Day event will demonstrate the results of this collaborative effort. Pavilion 11 will be the biggest demonstration of that collaboration, where guests will participate in activities proposed by the projects the EU has been funding around Georgia, ranging from employment to equality, from sustainable development to education.
Outside Pavilion 11, visitors will be able to discover the flavours of Georgia through products made by local farmers, meet artisans who carry on centuries-old traditions, and learn how the European Union supports sustainable agriculture and helps safeguard the country’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can also sample and buy goods made by local farmers. Additionally, there will be opportunity to meet local artisans, see how the European Union promotes the growth of agriculture, and discover how it preserves Georgian customs and culture.
Pavilion 3 will offer a varied program as well. It will contain the audiovisual installation “This Country is Yours” and a photo exhibition featuring the documentary photographs that were awarded the “EU Prize for Journalism”. They tell the story of the past decade in Georgia through the lenses of the best photographers. In this pavilion, young people will also play the educational game “Bookshelf,” showing off their knowledge of Europe’s history, literature, and ideals.
Chef Keti Bakradze and EU diplomats are inviting everyone to a unique culinary event near Pavilion 3, where they will be preparing dishes from different European countries.
In Pavilion 6, representatives from EU Member States will showcase their cultures and the opportunities they offer. The European Investment Bank and the EU Monitoring Mission’s operations will also be presented here.
The ‘EU Conversations #ertad’ will provide everyone the chance to listen to eminent speakers from Georgia and EU Member States. European ideals and their influence on Georgia’s present and future, as well as the opportunities the European Union provides in Georgia will be the main topics of discussion. Iva Pezuashvili, the author and recipient of the European Union Prize for Literature, will serve as the moderator of the discussions.
“What makes the European Union truly unique,” says Pezuashvili, “is that even the smallest nations are proudly represented through their own cultures. One thing that all Georgians, Bulgarians, and Dutch people have in common is that they each have a distinct culture that they bring to the table. This is the most significant and fascinating aspect of the European Union: joining it doesn’t mean losing anything; rather, it means contributing something new to the EU, which has become richer by coming together.”.
The European Union is built on diversity – and the story of Michel Mouskhely is one of the many connections that unite Georgia and the European Union.
Let’s spend Europe Day together! Let’s come together to mark and honour what unites us, #ertad
Follow for more: https://eu4georgia.eu/europe-day-2025/