Ukraine Celebrates Europe Day 2012

Kyiv, May 22, 2012. The Europe Day 2012 celebration marked its 10^th anniversary in Ukraine. The festival became the unique occasion to celebrate common values and cultural heritage of Ukrainian and European nations, as well as expose their diversity. Despite not being a part of the European Union, Ukraine is recognized as a harmonious nation which shares European ideals, and so it annually celebrates the peace and unity it shares with its fellow European countries.

Many Ukrainians believe their homeland could become an interdependent and complementary partner to the European nations of today. For visitors and guests of the Europe Day 2012 the celebration has become instrumental in the process of deepening their community values and promotion of the positive perception of Ukraine before its European neighbors. “Well, Ukraine is Europe. Europe Day is a wonderful way for everyone to come out and celebrate being European. Ukraine is a unique country, full of very kind people, beautiful countryside, and beautiful culture. I am always inviting my friends to come and discover a part of Ukraine,” said Roger van Toren, Second Secretary of the Royal Netherlands Embassy.

Europe has always been culturally diverse. Such ethnic multiplicity faces a lot of challenges finding its identity as it is always evolving. For a country like Ukraine, which expressed its intention to integrate with the European Union cohorts, combating internal issues such as poverty and social exclusion is a must, said Maria Jurikova, Minister Counselor & Deputy Head of European Union Delegation to Ukraine. “Today, Ukraine has a dream. This dream is to one day join United Europe. Examples of this dream come true are the examples set by new member states. These new member states are a significant proof that joining was the right decision and an overall successful decision. I think most of Ukraine has a dream to reach the standards of the EU such as its standard level of living,” said the European official.

European counties believe in fundamental rights and freedoms of their people. Some share values that protect every member of their society, while others aim at promoting peace and culture through value of human life. “In order for Ukraine to fulfill its dream of becoming a part of the EU, it’s very important it becomes more politically associated, economically integrated, and overall shares and applies the same values toward respect of the human law and human rights. Ukraine would have to undergo a deep reforming process which then would result in inclusion into the EU,” concluded Jurikova.

During the event four Ukrainian EURO 2012 host cities – Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk – presented their pavilions where they provided all attendees with information about history, life and architecture as well lodging and transportation in the cities respectively.

Many EU countries set their own pavilions at the “European town” – small area in downtown Kyiv – where all the guests and residents were able to “visit” the European countries. The organizers put together interactive information booths and thematic cultural exposition of the nations – EU members.