Celebration in Brussels
Bright festival
A fortunate coincidence is that Belgium holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2024. The Belgian Presidency has initiated that the well-known Bright light festival, which takes place between 15th and 18th February 2024 in Brussels, includes into its program the light installations from the ten new member states of that time. As part of the festival, a European path has been created, which is also illuminated by the Slovenian artist Luka Savić.
European institutions opened their doors wide to visitors on May 4th. On open days, long lines of visitors wind their way outside the doors of European institutions, offering them the opportunity to explore the long and intricate corridors of EU institutions where decisions affecting our daily lives are made.
The highlight of the open day is the stalls of the member states in the EU Council, where countries showcase their characteristics, specialties, and their contribution to the EU. Through a colorful array in the house of member states, they symbolically demonstrate how our differences unite and enrich the common European family.
Slovenia participated in the event with a stall featuring the culinary, sporting, and above all, green characteristics of Slovenia. Visitors had the chance to test their knowledge of Slovenia on a wheel of fortune, taste Slovenian potica, and learn how potica is made according to a recipe protected by Slovenia at the EU level. Visitors could taste Slovenian honey in gingerbread cookies. At the stall, visitors could also find Slovenian apples, Slovenia as a sports destination, green and culinary destination, and cookbooks of typical Slovenian dishes.
On this year's celebration of the 20th anniversary of the largest EU enlargement, visitors will be guided by a special guide through the stalls of the countries that joined the EU on May 1st, 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia). Visitors will also have the opportunity to see an exhibition of archival photographs from 2004 at the Europa building.
More information about the celebration of Europe Day in EU institutions.
Reception
The highlight of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's EU membership will be held in Brussels on June 26, 2024, with a reception commemorating the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's membership in the EU and NATO, featuring Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob as the keynote speaker.
Celebrating with young people
We will also celebrate with young people. In autumn, at the official opening of the Slovenian section, wooden birdhouses will be distributed to students of the Slovenian language at the EU School in Brussels with the task of painting and hanging them in the school's park, thus helping to take care of the birds. We invited Slovenian high schools, where young people are trained to be woodworking technicians, to make birdhouses, so the students will be the ones who will make birdhouses for the students of the European School.