IMPRESSIONS OF EUROPE DAY 2022 ...a long tradition in BONN

After a two-year pandemic break, the traditional Europe Day was celebrated once again in Bonn in the market square and in the Old Town Hall. Europe Day is celebrated twice every year: 5th May commemorates the founding of the Council of Europe and 9th May commemorates the Robert Schuman Declaration.
Since the year 2000, the EU has adopted the motto: "United in diversity". The motto expresses the desire that Europeans, united by the EU, work for peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages in Europe result in an enrichment for the continent.
Numerous events are held across Europe every year to commemorate Europe Day in a fitting manner. Thousands of people take part in the celebrations, events and debates, including in Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The motto of this year's Europe Day was:
„ Stories of Europe – show me your Europe ".
Of course, the war in Ukraine was also a central topic.

In Bonn, at 12 noon, the  Lord Mayor Katja Dörner and Patrick Lobis, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Germany officially opened the event.
Numerous European and European-politically active associations, organisations and institutions had the opportunity to provide information on the work and activities they undertake and organize. Citizens and visitors to the city of Bonn were able to obtain information on all aspects of Europe from the various stands set up in Bonn's market square and in the historic ambience of the Old Town Hall. This event presented a good opportunity to demonstrate that in this time more than ever, it is very important to stand together, to stand up for peace, freedom and human rights and to show solidarity with Ukraine.

Numerous interested guests - including the Lord Mayor of Bonn, the Consul General of Portugal, members of the European Parliament and representatives of the Federal and State Parliaments - visited our stand and were informed about the work, the goals and, in particular, the offers of Eurojumelages Bonn.

The flyers for initial information were in great demand among our interested visitors; both young and old persons were glad to receive our giveaways.

The great interest shown in the work of our association gives us hope that one or possibly more new members could be recruited.

In the meantime, our association's participation in Europe Day has become an annual tradition and we are planning to do so again in 2023 as part of our public relations initiatives.

Peter Backes, president of Eurojumelages
Association of Bonn
Germany