“Europe Day is a day of celebration of the diversity and different characteristics of all the countries which form part of the EU,” Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said during an activity at Caffe Cordina in Valletta yesterday.
“The EU is not a melting pot of cultures but it brings together all the fundamental values which are essentially European,” said Dr Frendo.
A number of activities were held in Valletta to celebrate Europe Day, such as “Cafe d’Europe”, a Europe-wide cultural project held concurrently in 27 European capitals – the 25 EU member states and Romania and Bulgaria, who are in negotiations to join the EU.
9 May marks the anniversary of Robert Schuman’s presentation of his proposal for an organised Europe as an indispensable tool for the maintenance of peace in the continent.
Cafe’ d’Europe, backed by the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU, took place in 27 cafes across 27 European capital cities, to reflect the literary and culinary diversity and variety within the Union.
Cafes stand for communication and local culture, as they are a symbol of the common European heritage, said the head of Representation, European Commission, Joanna Drake.
Austrian Ambassador to Malta Elisabeth Kehrer, Dr Frendo and Dr Drake launched the event by cutting a cake – representing the EU flag – that was prepared by Caffe Cordina.
In all the venues across Europe, talks were held with the public young people from all over Europe.
Writers and members of the public were also invited to write their stories about Europe and these will be compiled and published in a special book to mark the event.
Authors such as Vaclav Havel in Prague, Eva Demski in Berlin, Christiane Singer in Paris, Jan Baeke in Amsterdam, Timothy Garton Ash in London and many other European writers read their literary contributions inspired by International P.E.N. president Jiri Grusa’s work, in their local Café d’Europe.
Popular local author and cartoonist Gorg Mallia was chosen to write the Maltese contribution and read his story called Hajtu u lilhin minnha.
“It is important to keep in mind that Europe is not simply a political entity,” said Dr Mallia. “It is a partner-in-soul entity as there are many differences between the countries but also many similarities.”
Although Malta was once limited by its shores, these will become a doorway to the great culture and diversity of the rest of Europe, he added.
As part of the celebrations, a European newspaper will be published across Europe. Reports of the celebrations from the 27 countries will feature in the special edition of the Frankfurter Allemeine Zeitung.
The Café d’Europe also offered customers traditional European sweets and cakes. The traditional Maltese sweet, imqaret (date slice), was chosen and its recipe was included in the European recipe leaflet Sweet Europe handed out to Café d’Europe’s customers across Europe.
The Malta Police Band marched down Republic Street to Palace Square and students raised the EU flag and the flags of the 25 Member States in St George’s Square.