11 May Tbilisi – The Delegation of the European Union to Georgia hosted a vibrant celebration for Europe Day at Expo Georgia, marking Georgia’s inaugural year as an EU membership candidate country. The event, which drew thousands of attendees from Tbilisi and beyond, was officially opened by Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union.
The festivities captivated attendees throughout the entire day, engaging a diverse crowd of all ages with a myriad of activities. This year’s celebration attracted a record number – up to 15 000 of participants, vividly expressing their festive spirit and the strong aspirations of the Georgian people toward EU integration. Embassies from EU Member States and various organisations provided a rich educational, informational, entertaining, and cultural experience through historical exhibits, interactive activities, and live cultural performances.
In a showcase of the EU’s work in Georgia, EU funded project representatives discussed their significant contributions to Georgia, emphasising the positive outcomes of EU support. Additionally, entrepreneurs who have prospered under EU initiatives shared their success stories and products at the Market Fair, highlighting the economic growth fostered by such support.
A highlight of the day was a series of panel discussions moderated by David Gorgiladze, featuring celebrities discussing EU values, economic, educational, cultural, and environmental efforts, as well as the accession process to the EU.
The event featured a puppet theatre performance, “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies”, specifically designed for young attendees, hosted in a specially constructed marquee.
The celebration was a hub of discovery and engagement, with many participants exploring more about the European Union through interactive games and tasting sessions featuring Georgian farmers at the agromarket “Unique Georgian Taste”.
About Europe Day:
Europe Day is celebrated around the world each year on 9 May, to commemorate the 1950 Declaration of Robert Schuman, then-French Foreign Minister. Schuman set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable, by asking them to share their coal and steel reserves. That concept was the beginning of what is today known as the European Union. Since then, and for the past 73 years, the EU has been developing, working, uniting and ensuring peace and prosperity for up to 447 million people across 27 countries of the world.
