Europe Day: May 9th

Many thanks to all the Volunteers that made Europe Day May 9th 2009 such a success!

Click on the thumbnails below to see full screen images from previous years.

#1) Ilona, Peter, Franz,

Codruta & Terry. 2007

#2) Doris Kools in German Dirndel dress. 2007

#3) Franz Gerber playing the accordion. 2007

#4) 2007

May 9th is Europe Day which the Eurofest BC Society celebrates with an event to which all media, organizations, and the general public are invited. Each year, representatives from different European countries step up to organize this event. The Eurofest BC Society began celebrating Europe Day in 2006. Italy and Portugal organized the event in 2006 at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. In 2007, Austria and Estonia organized the event at the Austria Vancouver Club in Richmond. In 2008, Serbia and Poland organized the event at the Serbian Community Centre in Burnaby. Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Switzerland organized the 2009 event at the Hungarian Hall in Vancouver. So circle May 9th 2010 in your calendar and join us for lunch and a preview of performances, conversation and information sharing. The annual Europe Day celebration is an excellent opportunity to meet some of the organizing committee, first hand, three weeks before the European Festival takes place.

#5) 2007

#6) 2007

#7) Croatia: Jelena & Ante,

May 9th 2007

#8) 2007

#9) Estonian Leelo Women's Choir.

2007

#10) Netherlands: Jaap & Gerri. 2007

#11) May 9th 2006

#12) May 9th 2006

at the Italian Cultural Center

The History of Europe Day:

After World War II, there was a great need to increase stability and rebuild a shattered Europe. In Paris on May 9th 1950, the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, proposed the creation of a supranational European Institution. In an effort to avert further future conflict, this European Union would be charged with the management of the coal and steel industry which constituted the basis of military power. Ultimately, the ambition evolved to build a Europe which respects freedom and the identity of all of people who live there. In 1985, European Union leaders at the Milan Summit agreed that the 9th of May would be celebrated as "Europe Day". Thus, May 9th has become an annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the European Union and to reflect on its goals of peace, freedom, prosperity and working together. On the 1st of May 2004, additional countries joined the European Union, increasing its membership to 25. And now every year, new countries propose to enter the European Union.