День Европы (на русском языке)
On 1 May, Estonia celebrates 20 years of membership in the European Union and NATO. Estonia became an EU Member State in 2004, following six years of accession negotiations. Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus joined the EU together with us. Joining the European Union and NATO has given us confidence that we will never be alone again. Important dates at the beginning of this summer will be the 6–9 June European elections.
Throughout the year, we mark our journey in the European Union with a variety of projects and events because we have a lot to celebrate and to be proud of. As every year, the events culminate on Europe Day, 9 May, with festivities in Tallinn and Narva, as well as a plethora of activities in smaller cities.
Book Presentation: My Estonia, My Europe. 20 Years Later
On the special occasion of the anniversary, we will present the book My Estonia, My Europe. 20 Years Later at our seminars in Tallinn and Tartu. The book is published with the support of the European Commission Representation in Estonia and the Government Office. It looks back at Estonia’s journey within the European Union through the eyes of various people who have been involved in the journey in one way or another. The book contains interviews with various prominent persons, including Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, President Kersti Kaljulaid and entrepreneur Sten Tamkivi. The authors of the essays range from the renowned writer Tõnu Õnnepalu to Anna Milena Linder, a young student born in 2004 when Estonia was already part of the European Union.
Orienteering Game for school classes in Tallinn and Narva
The participants of the game represent their class – the more participants from one class, the greater the chance to win the prize! This year, groups of the youth organisations of the Estonian Defence League are also invited to participate. The main prize is a EUR 2000 excursion tour for the whole class/group.
In order to play, the Navicup app must be installed on the player’s smart phone (the game will become active on 9 May at 9 a.m.). The map of Tallinn or Narva, marked with 10 checkpoints, then opens on the screen.
All the checkpoints of the Tallinn Game are at or near an embassy of an EU country or an Estonian state authority. Many embassies and buildings also welcome visitors inside their premises where they offer exhibitions or other interesting activities. Playing the game is an excellent opportunity to visit buildings and places that are usually not open to the public.
The checkpoints of the Narva Game are located within a walking distance in the city centre and they are linked to the European Union.
The checkpoints may be passed in the order of choice. When a checkpoint is reached, three multiple-choice questions open on the screen and need to be answered in order to move forward. An incorrect answer will not end the game, the aim is to pass all the checkpoints and collect points. Find the rules of the game here.
The game can be played on 9 May between 9:00 and 17:00.
Europe Day in Tallinn
On 9 May in Tallinn, everybody is welcome to take part in an exciting orienteering game, listen to a debate on the future of Estonia and the EU, and end the day with a great concert at the Freedom Square.
Seminar My Estonia, My Europe. 20 Years Later
We invite you to follow the Europe Day Seminar and the proclamation of the European of the Year on 9 May at 13:00–14:00. This year, we also announce the European of the Years who has significantly contributed to Estonia’s journey within the European Union over the last 20 years.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President Kersti Kaljulaid, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and the European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will discuss Estonia’s achievements so far and prospects for the future in the European Union. The debate will be chaired by journalist Johannes Tralla.
„Our Europe. Our NATO“ event area
The „Our Europe. Our NATO“ event area will open at the Freedom Square on 9 May at 15:00–18:00. The anthem of the European Union will be played from the tower of St John’s Church at 15:00, and the flags of the European Union and NATO will be raised at the Victory Monument of the Estonian War of Independence.
The event at the Freedom Square is open to everyone. The Square is filled with exhibitions and activities by the embassies of European Union countries, organisations related to the European Union, and the authorities responsible for internal security in Estonia, such as the Police and Border Guard Board, the Rescue Agency, the Defence League and the Defence Forces. The musical atmosphere will be created by the military orchestra.
A variety of technical equipment will be on display and visitors can discover the tastes and cultures of the countries of the European Union, spend time at pavilions and stands, and listen to debates. Police dogs are present and show their skills. The Ukrainian cafeteria Slava Ukraina, whose mission is to support Ukraine and the Ukrainians, is open at the pavilion of the European Union.
Pavilion of the Centre for Human Rights
The Centre for Human Rights organises a debate “My Voice in Europe” with Estonian candidates for the European Parliament on Freedom Square at 15:00. See more information here.
Concert by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs „Our Europe. Our NATO“
The Europe Day concert comes again! The concert will take place on the Freedom Square at 18–21 and will be broadcasted on the Estonian TV and ETV+ channels at 19.30–21.00.
This year’s line-up: Bedwetters, nublu and Gameboy Tetris, Tommy Cash.
Let’s celebrate European unity together!
The concert is free for everyone.
Exhibition at Tammsaare Park
At the end of April, the exhibition My Estonia, My Europe will be opened at Tammsaare Park to draw attention to the various benefits that the EU membership has brought us but that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.
Europe Day in Narva
Narva will start celebrating Europe Day already on 8 May when the residents will be able to take part in exciting cultural events. On 9 May, everybody can participate in the Orienteering Game and the Ida-Viru Future Fair. The day closes with a magnificent concert!
Cultural events in Narva
Events on 8 May:
- 11:30–16:00 XI Ida-Virumaa Cultural Forum at Tartu University Narva College
- 16:00–17:45 The inauguration of Stockholm Square
- 18:00–19:15 Music and poetry performance “Border” at Narva Town Hall
- 18:30 Opening of the installation “Climbing on Fragments of Memory” by Narva’s Art Residence (NART) resident Pavel Rotts at the Narva Museum
- 19:30–20:30 Opening of exhibitions by Liina Siib (Estonia) and Kaisu Koivisto (Finland) at Narva’s Art Residence (NART)
- 20:30–22:30 European cinema night: Belgian-French co-production Rien à déclarer / Nothing to declare at Narva’s Art Residence Cinema (Joala 18, Narva) – FREE!
Rien à declarer / Nothing to Declare is a humorous Belgian-French comedy directed by Dany Boon. The film’s action turns around the funny adventures of French and Belgian customs officials in the 90s when border controls between the two countries were abolished. The film follows a confrontation between two customs officials who have to defeat obstacles to the opening of the border. With humorous misunderstandings, intense dialogue and absurd situations, the film is a story about friendship, overcoming of prejudices, and national identities.
Ida-Viru Future Fair
The Ida-Viru Future Fair will take place at the Narva College 9th of May at 15:00–17:00, bringing together vocational and higher education institutions, companies and support agencies to provide local people with information on learning and job opportunities in the Ida-Viru region. The Unemployment Insurance Fund offers an opportunity for quick career guidance on the ground. Most companies and educational institutions participating in the fair have received support from the European Union Just Transition Fund to diversify the economic environment and develop educational programmes in Ida-Virumaa.
Concert in Narva
A free public concert on 9 May at 17:00 at the Narva Town Hall Square features the local favourites Uku Suviste and Alika, together with the Narva Symphony Orchestra, followed by the rock group Smilers.
The Kohtla-Järve High School youth orchestra and the folk rock band KRATT will perform interludes at the concert.
The cafeteria alley and a pavilion for informationon Europe opens at 15:00.
Europe Day in Tartu
Europe Day will be celebrated on 9 May also in Tartu where the Johan Skytte Institute Institute of Political Studies will hold a seminar looking back at the 20 years of Estonia in the EU, but discussing also the upcoming European elections and the possible enlargement of the EU.
The seminar will take place at the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum (Lossi 25) at 13:00–17.30.
At 19:00 – Concert “The Parable of the Poppy” at the Tubin Hall of Heino Eller Music School (Lossi 15).
Adam Strug (Poland; vocals, accordion) presents music created to Czesław Miłosz’s texts. He is accompanied by Szczepan Pospieszalski (trumpet), Tomek Stawiecki (clarinet), Hipolit Woźniak (contrabass) and Mateusz Kowalski (drums).
Adam Strug’s original compositions dedicated to the prominent author and Nobel Prize laureate Czesław Miłosz to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death will be presented for the first time at the concert taking place within the framework of the Prima Vista Literary Festival. The duration of the concert is one hour.
The concert is organised by Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The project is supported by the Foundation of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
Europe Day in smaller cities
Europe Direct Information Centres organise the Europe Day events in smaller cities around Estonia in cooperation with city and municipal governments.
Haapsalu
On 9 May, everyone is invited to play the Europe Day Orienteering Game. The players have to pass the various checkpoints located in different parts of the city, answering questions about the EU.
Kohtla-Järve
On 9 May at 15:00, an election debate with candidates for the European Parliament will be held at the TalTech Virumaa College in Kohtla-Järve. The event will be webstreamed live. The focus of the debate is on the broader meaning of the security of border areas.
Kuressaare
Europe Day will be celebrated on 4 May at 14:00, together with the birthday of the city of Kuressaare, at a public event at the Kuressaare castle park sound chamber.
Võru
Europe Day will be celebrated at the Võru central square on 9 May at 16.00–20.00. The event features the UMA MEKK fair, local speakers and performers (16:00–18:00) and a debate on the European elections (18:00–19:00). A concert by Daniel Levi (19:00–20:00) will end the day.
Estonia’s voice in Europe: a video series on social media
Estonia has benefitted a lot from EU membership, but Estonia has also greatly contributed to Europe. Estonian people working daily in EU institutions have helped both Estonia and Europe to foster and flourish. We share with you a series of social media videos where Estonians working for the EU institutions talk about their job, representing Estonia’s voice in Europe.
What is Europe Day?
On 9 May each year, Europe Day is celebrated to commemorate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration. In a speech held in Paris in 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his idea of a new form of political cooperation in Europe that would make war between the peoples of Europe unthinkable.
He proposed the creation of a common European institution to manage the joint coal and steel production. Less than a year later, the agreement to create such an organisation was signed. The Schuman declaration is held to be the beginning of the current European Union.
Organizers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission Representation in Estonia, the European Parliament Liaison Office, the Government Office, the State Shared Service Centre.
Co-organisers: embassies of the EU countries in Estonia, Defence Forces, Defence Union, Rescue Board, Police and Border Guard Board, Military Orchestra, Europe Direct Information Centres, Narva City Council, Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, NART - Narva Art Residence, the Ministry of Finance.