The European Union Delegation to BiH and the Directorate for European Integration of Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina are organising numerous sports and cultural events in 20 cities, between 04-17 May as part of the Europe Day celebration.

The organisation of these events is being done jointly with EU Info Centres and local NGO partners: Foundation of Local Democracy, Zdravo da ste, Sarajevo Marathon, MDP Initiatives, Europlus Doboj, Local Development Agency Gradiška and European Movement in BiH.

The aim of these events is the celebration of Europe Day and to bring the values of a United Europe closer to citizens, as well as emphasise the significance of the BiH accession process to Europe.

Celebration will start with a Volleyball Tournament for disabled people on 4th May in Mokro- Pale, and continue with a gathering of primary and secondary school pupils on 7th May, in front of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly building. There will also be a promotion of “EU Palčić”, a magazine for primary school children, published by the Directorate for European Integration.

A sports event, “Run to Europe” is being held for the third time and will be an opportunity for professional and amateur athletes from BiH to join the Europe Day celebration. “Run to Europe“ is scheduled to take place on 8th May 2011, starting at 10.00 in front of BBI Centre in Sarajevo.

From there, the celebration continue throughout the country: Banja Luka 9th May, Doboj 10th May, and Gradiška on 12th May, where children and young people will have an opportunity to learn more about the European Union and BiH integration process, as well as send their messages to Europe through various quizzes, games and creative workshops.

In Doboj, also on 10th May, a round table has been organised, which aims to explore “The role of local authorities in European integration process”.

A concert of “Letu štuke“ i “Skroz“ on 14th May at Sarajevo Dom Mladih for young people, marks the finale of the Europe Day celebration.

Within Europe Day celebration, an EU Van will tour the country for the first time, which will, in addition to the aforementioned cities, visit Konjic, Mrkonjić grad, Ključ, Kladanj, Rogatica, Istočno Sarajevo, Teslić, Brod, Prnjavor, Zvornik, Stolac, Travnik, Bugojno, Srebrenica i Višegrad.

On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the “Schuman declaration”, is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European UnionSince 1985, the 9th May is celebrated as Europe Day and has become one of the symbols of an EU identity. Europe Day is an opportunity to bring the European Union closer to citizens; Europe Day has been marked in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1997.

All media representatives are invited to contribute to the promotion of European values in BiH and its European integration processes by reporting on events held for the celebration of Europe Day in BiH. A detailed timetable of all events is given in the attachment below.

For all additional information please contact: Amna Kurbegović, EU Awareness II, project funded by EU, Augusta Brauna 14, 71 000 Sarajevo, tel/fax ++387 33 205 408, mob ++387 61 405 889.

Timetable of events during EU Week in BiH