Europe Day 2021 - 40th anniversary of Greece in EU

8/5/2021

Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration'.

 

At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable. His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

 

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Greece's accession in 1981 to the European Community, which evolved into the European Union.

 

In the presence of the President of the Greek Republic, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the celebration of Europe Day organized by the Attica Region will take place on Sunday, May 9. Due to the increased protection measures against the pandemic, the celebration will be limited to the hoisting of the Greek and the European flags on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis. In the simple ceremony, the European Union will be represented by the Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schoinas and will be attended by representatives of the state, political and military leadership of the country.

 

The EU Representation Office in Athens also presented the anniversary stamp for the 40th anniversary of Greece's accession to the European Union. The presentation, in collaboration with ELTA, took place on Thursday, May 6, at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, where the original digital edition of the children's graphic novel "Europe is us" was also presented.

 

Important moments, people and works that stood out in the last 40 years in Greece and Europe are presented in this video.

 

Find out about all the events organized by the European Union on the occasion of Europe Day 2021.