The ninth of May the institutions of the European Union in Brussels opened their doors for the general public. But why is May 9 ‘Europe Day’?

On May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman, French minister of Foreign Affairs presented his proposal to create an organized Europe, that would be essential in maintaining future peace and stability in Europe. This so-called Schuman Declaration, is nowadays considered the act of birth of the current European Union. The ninth of May is next to the hymne, the logo and the motto ‘united in diversity’ one of the symbols of the Union. Nowadays however, Europe Day is more the occasion for festivities and activities that bring the Union closer to its citizens. For this reason the Union’s glass palaces in Brussels opened their doors and both inside and outside activities took place.

All institutions had something different to show to the public. With the EP elections the Parliament had converted itself in a big propaganda house, propagating all the different political groups that seat in the Parliament, despite the strict order ‘not to bring in any political elements on this day’. The other institutions - the Council and the Commission - had respected this advice more, since they offered a lot of stands with DG representatives ready for a talk on their jobs in the field. However, most people seemed more interested in the gadgets that were handed out. Interestingly, there were also guided tours around places where normally nobody was allowed to come except for the ministers and presidents. Next to that, we could have a try as real interpreter. Children were not forgotten either, as they could paint their thoughts on the Union on a huge wall, and take part in small quizzes testing their knowledge on the EU.

It was nice to see the Union’s institutions from the inside for a change, and many people from all layers of society had taken the chance to come, so this day will probably have been more successful in number than the voter-turnout will be in June. That it has improved the image of the EU I dare not say, but at least for once citizen and EU were found together. |