Europe Day is celebrated in Latvia with a picnic, quiz and orienteering game / Article

This is a special year, because 20 years ago Latvia joined the European Union together with nine other countries. Freedom, democracy and human rights are a part of our daily life, but in the recent past it was not possible for everyone. Freedom of assembly, travel, education – these are the values ​​that now unite the citizens of the European Union.

It should be reminded that on May 8, 1945, the Second World War ended in Europe. These were bleak times and there was a determination to prevent the possibility of a third world war. Politicians realized that everything should be done to prevent this from happening. On May 9, 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schumanis came up with his plan to eliminate the possibility of war in the future, and it laid the foundation for a united Europe.

Liene Valdmane, the representative of “European Movement in Latvia”, recalled the idea of ​​the declaration at the European Hour: “The basis of the European Union is a very specific and economic thing – putting coal and steel together. Why? Because these are the raw materials from which ammunition was produced. And the idea was completely simple: if the hitherto belligerent countries – France and Germany – put together coal and steel, then the possibility of future war will be excluded. And that is why coal and steel were put in and formed the first name when the Paris Agreement was signed treaty. It was signed by the six countries considered to be the founding countries of the European Union.”

This community was the beginning of the creation of the European Union, which today has already united 27 countries. Europe Day began to be celebrated in 1985.

Do people in Latvia know that Europe Day is celebrated today? In the streets of Riga, Latvian Radio found out that some do not know this.

“Nothing, I’m going to work. I’m not particularly interested in politics.”

What does it mean to people to be in Europe?

“Safety.”

“I have the right to do what I want.”
And duties?
“Maybe protect your property.”

“Being in Europe means being safe for me. It makes life a lot easier. [Tas] gives more opportunities than non-European countries. It also helps us, young people, in terms of growth, because it is much easier to study in other European universities.”

“Freedom to a degree.”
Also security?
“Yes, right now, for sure. But it’s more than that [saistīts] with NATO. For example, on Monday I flew to Portugal. Could I have imagined this in my youth? No. It’s free here, and you don’t have to think about how to behave.”

Europe Day is widely celebrated in Latvia – various events, concerts and other activities take place. For example, in Daugavpils there is a European yard festival, in Dobele – an exploratory quiz, in Jelgava elementary school the event “Europe with a book” and others. Also, on Thursday, you can take the European exam, which has already been passed by more than 42 thousand participants.

Meanwhile, a European picnic was taking place near the Saeima House, where every participant and passer-by could enjoy delicacies prepared by different countries, such as Ukrainian borscht, delicious Latvian holiday cake, Belgian waffles and other national delicacies and dishes. Representatives of various embassies and nationalities had also come to the picnic.

Also, in the European Union and in three Riga state gymnasiums, students organized an orientation game called “See Europe”. At five stops, the young people had to use their knowledge of the European Union in their tasks, and they also had to learn something completely new. Although the weather on Thursday is colder than expected, the organizers are not complaining about the number of participants while preparing for the orienteering game.

On the other hand, in the afternoon, a reception organized by the representative office of the European Commission in Latvia in cooperation with the office of the European Parliament is held in honor of Europe Day and 20 years of Latvia’s accession to the European Union.

But if we want to congratulate each other on this day, we can simply shake hands, as this is the official greeting for the holiday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that membership in the EU is not just a geographical designation, it is a confirmation of the will to stand up for common European values ​​and to be together with countries that respect and protect human dignity, stand for human rights, freedom, equality and solidarity, including solidarity for Ukraine in its struggle on freedom, democracy and a rules-based international order. The ministry also noted that Latvia has turned from a recipient country into a donor country – for world security and sustainability. Development cooperation funding has grown to 131 million euros in 2023 in 20 years. Latvia participates in large EU-funded development cooperation projects and activities. Ukraine has been the main priority in Latvia’s development cooperation, providing it with valuable experience and knowledge, which is now very useful for Ukraine on its way to the EU. The total European aid to Ukraine has reached 144 billion euros.