Europe Day

On 9 May 1985, the European Union approved Europe Day to commemorate the proclamation of the Schuman Declaration.

This holiday has traditionally been celebrated by EU candidate countries in order to formulate a positive opinion on EU accession.

The main goal is that every inhabitant of the continent, regardless of any differences, can feel free and protected in the EU.

Ukraine, which is not a member of the EU, has been celebrating this holiday at the national level fom 2003, holding conferences, fairs, competitions, and exhibitions to promote and acquaint people with European culture and bring us closer to European values.

Photo: A flag of Ypres, a “city of peace”, hosting a headquarters of Mayors for Peace and EU flag.

Ypres is a small city in the western part of Belgium, the so-called Westhoek. Ypres maintains a close friendship with another town on which war had a profound impact: Hiroshima.

Ypres coat of arms is the “Lorraine” cross and it’s an emblem for Ypres since 1199, appearing on the seals for Ypres cloth in the Middle Ages.