May with the EUIC

In May, we marked and celebrated Europe Day – the most important observance of the European Union – with citizens throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina! “Bosnia and Herzegovina has alway...

In May, we marked and celebrated Europe Day – the most important observance of the European Union – with citizens throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina!

“Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been in the heart of Europe” is the strong message that marked the celebration of the close ties between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the first Europe Day that BiH celebrated as a candidate country for EU membership. We started the celebration on the streets of Sarajevo with Sarajevo Drum Orchestra and talented young dancers. Numerous landmarks across the country were illuminated with the colours of the European Union flag – Kastel in Banja Luka, Stari Most in Mostar, Stari Grad Fortress in Travnik, Pliva Waterfall in Jajce and the City Hall in Brčko – as symbols of our common heritage and values that represent unity. We also spoke with talented “Made of Us” vloggers from the European Union and the Western Balkan region.

Thousands of citizens gathered at the Eternal Flame, in front of Europe House – the new European Union centre for events, conferences and exhibitions, for a celebration to remember, with amazing musical performances by Helem Nejse, Zoster, Laka and Lela, Aida Aršić Mušanović, Marija Šestić and Nedim Bašić.

European Film Days, organized in cooperation with EUNIC and the embassies of EU member states in BiH, were held in the renowned Sarajevo cinema Meeting Point from May 10 to 19. The film days were opened by a screening of the Swedish film Cold Case (2019) on the occasion of Sweden’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

After the outdoor event in Sarajevo, activities marking Europe Day continued in Travnik and Jajce, where the achievements of young people, civil society and entrepreneurs were celebrated, building up to a concert of classical music by talented young artists from Travnik. On the occasion of the celebration of Europe Day and European Night of Museums, on May 13, a concert by Konstruct and Zemlja Gruva, and Letu Štuka was held in Banja Luka in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska. Eurovisionaries events, featuring a quiz about the European Union and karaoke, were held in Tuzla and Mostar. We also presented our Europe Day activities through a traditional video in order to thank all citizens for their support and participation in the celebration of Europe Day.

Emphasizing that #OurPlanetisOurFuture, we published 2 editions of Ekopedia explaining the significance of World Bee Day and World Biodiversity Day.

Highlighting the impact of #EUzaBiH – the support of the European Union and new opportunities for cooperation – we published an edition of our Apply! infographics announcing new calls to support the development and digitization of the agricultural sector.

Celebrating the #EuropeanYearofSkills and emphasizing the importance of #EUForCulture, in cooperation with the talented and renowned Montenegrin artist Andrijana Vešović – Zombijana, we organised two exhibitions and workshops in Sarajevo and Banja Luka and collected more than 6,200 KM to support local safe houses for women.

Thank you for joining us this May! We look forward to another month in the company of BiH citizens!