EU Reception, EU Fair and a Rich Cultural, Entertainment and Interactive Programme
This year, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro organised the reception marking Europe Day at the “Špiro Mugoša” sports airport in Podgorica.
The event was attended by the highest state officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, state and local institutions, the media, civil society and the academic community.
“Montenegro, as an old European country, is not ‘joining’ Europe, nor are we ‘bringing’ Europe here. It would be more accurate to say that our mission here is to organise a kind of family gathering – to help Montenegro return home and take its rightful place within the European family,” said the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, in his address.
The ceremony opened with performances of the European Union and Montenegrin anthems by opera star Olivera Tičević, accompanied by the ensemble “Tree Cellos”.
During the anthems, parachutists from the “Špiro Mugoša” Aero Club performed a magnificent helicopter jump, proudly displaying the flags of the European Union and Montenegro across the sky, symbolically affirming the partnership and a shared European future.
The programme was further enriched by performances from the children’s choir “Ljute Kamilice” and the orchestra “Mjesna muzika Đenović”.
The event was organised with the support of the “Špiro Mugoša” Aero Club, and the programme was dedicated to connection, partnership and Montenegro’s European perspective.
On Saturday, 9 May, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, in partnership with the Ministry of European Affairs and the Capital City of Podgorica, marked Europe Day by organising an EU Fair in University Park in Podgorica.
The programme opened with addresses by the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Riccardo Serri, Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević and the Mayor of Podgorica, Saša Mujović, who highlighted the importance of European values, co-operation and unity.
The musical segment of the programme featured the first public performance of the O.M. Band / the band of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, while the event concluded with a concert by Fantom and Petar Wagner, performing covers of ex-Yugoslav hits.
Particular attention from visitors was attracted by the stands of 14 European Union Member States – Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia – as well as numerous partners and institutions.
Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about European cultures, gastronomy, educational and partnership programmes, as well as the opportunities offered by European initiatives and projects.
Considerable interest was also generated by the interactive European passport game, during which citizens visited the stands of Member States and partners, took part in various activities and collected stamps inspired by European traditions and cultures.
Within the themed zones, numerous activities were organised for both children and adults – a sports corner with chess boards, creative workshops and the photographic exhibition “What is Europe to You?”, the workshop “Wine and Paint”, a children’s corner with educational activities, an innovation zone dedicated to robotics and digital technologies, as well as a pet corner featuring a dog adoption programme in co-operation with an animal shelter.
A large audience gathered at Independence Square on Saturday evening to enjoy a concert by regional star Nina Badrić. The concert was organised by Europe House, Tourist Organisation of Podgorica and the Capital City.
This year’s Europe Day celebration once again underscored the importance of unity, cultural exchange, and European values through an open, interactive event open to all citizens.