Europe Day
Europe Day is held on the 9th of May each year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration' where Robert Schuman laid out his concept for new political cooperation in Europe. His idea was to learn from our past and the two World Wars so that war between Europe's nations became unthinkable. This proposal is genesis of what is now the European Union and is often referred to Europe’s greatest peace project.
During Europe Day, the European Commission and Parliament celebrate Europe Day along with many other European Union institutions. There are a host of activities taking place across the European Union, some on the day itself and some spanning a week of events and activities. These showcase either the work of the European Union or the commitment of European member state countries to the European project along with organisation and citizen led activities.
Dublin City Council also celebrates Europe Day each year. Events vary from in-person panel discussions in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of its Communicating Europe Initiative to raise awareness and increase understanding of the role and benefits of the European Union. You will see the City Council’s support for Europe Day across social media using the hashtag #EuropeDay #CommunicatingEurope
Dublin City Parks and Landscape Services typically fly the EU flags on the quays to highlight the day to residents, commuters, tourists and visitors to the city alike. To really get the message out about our Europe Day celebrations the City Council are illuminating the Samuel Beckett Bridge in the colours of the European Union on behalf of the European Commission as well as lighting up City Hall in the blue, white and yellow EU colour combination on Europe Day, Thursday 9th May 2024.
To experience the culture of European cinema, Dublin City Libraries are marking Europe Day in conjunction with EUNIC Ireland Network (European Union National Institutes for Culture) who are screening their European Film Club picks from 2023. The libraries will be hosting EUNIC’s European Film Club screenings across the city network throughout the month of May. You can find a list of all the information you need here and a library near you where you can watch one of the screenings until the end of May. In addition, to actually mark Europe Day 2024 itself, EUNIC Ireland Network is presenting two special free screenings of its 2023 ‘Short Shorts’ series. One will be in-person and the other will be online on Europe Day itself see https://tinyurl.com/2kh9byck and here for more details https://tinyurl.com/3a7baxc9 - everyone is welcome to attend. The audience will experience the diversity of contemporary European cinema through a variety of genres from cutting-edge filmmakers from across the continent. Shorts from Cork International Film Festival and TUS Limerick School of Art and Design (Clonmel) will also feature in the programme. Audience members will be asked to vote for their favourite film using their smart phone. The 2023 Short Shorts from Europe will be available to watch online (9th to12th May).
Elsewhere in Ireland, The European Parliament Liaison Office and the European Commission, The Wheel and Leargas are amongst many others who are hosting events to mark this European day of solidarity.
Find out about Europe Day 2024 activities across the continent.