Invitation to take part at European Day Celebrations on 9 May,The European Union Garden Festival

To mark the 60th anniversary of the idea of a united Europe, events dedicated to the European Union will be held all over Latvia during the European Week, from 5 to 9 May.
On 9 May 1950, five years after the end of World War II, the Foreign Minister of France Robert Schumann conceived a seemingly utopian plan – to unite the European countries (including France and Germany, two states hard to reconcile so far) for joint action.

This year - 60 years later - on 9 May, the birth of the idea of a united Europe will be celebrated by 27 member states of this union, including Latvia.

The European Union Garden Festival held on 9 May are dedicated to the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, with a particular focus on the need for, and significance of mutual assistance and solidarity, mastering new skills, and learning .

Between 10.30 am and 6 pm, the festival visitors are welcome to Vērmanes Garden where everybody interested will have an opportunity to get acquainted with the experience, and traditions of the European Union member states, as well as with learning and higher education opportunities.

Taking part in the opening ceremony are Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Foreign minister Aivis Ronis, member of the European Parliament, Inese Vaidere, the Mayor of Riga, Nils Ušakovs, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia, Iveta Šulca, and Europe's Goodwill Ambassador for 2010, founder of the Bread Museum of Latvia, Vija Ancāne.

All day long, under the motto Feel at Home, the 'houses' set up by the European Union member states will work, providing opportunities to learn more about the current developments in other countries, and their culture. Meanwhile, orchestras, choirs, groups and ensembles will be performing on the stage.

In the 'houses' presented by Latvia, visitors will be introduced to the topics of current importance for this country – adopting the euro, support to entrepreneurship, creativity and innovations.

In the house of the European Year, the participants will be able to put themselves, for a while, in the place of people with special needs – through demonstrations of technical aids, wheelchair streetball, experience exchange, consultations, discussions, first aid exercises under the guidance of the Sustento association and the Red Cross.

The European Union 'house' will, for its part, offer a programme in the knowledge, discussion and art rooms – discussions with the deputies of the European Parliament, creative workshops for children. Staff of the European information network will answer questions on the study, employment and business opportunities in the European Union. The ideas for Riga as the European Capital of Culture in 2014 will also be presented.

Youth organisations will offer a special programme for young people and children, informing them about the opportunities the European Union provides for the youth, and will invite the visitors to take part in activities on EU-related topics. Any visitor of the Garden Festival will be welcome to join a knowledge game by choosing one or both of the routes offered – the Active or the Attractive one – and doing a task prepared by each 'house'.

During the concluding ceremony at 4.15 pm, lots will be drawn to determine the winners who then will receive valuable and interesting gifts provided by the 'houses'. This year's awards include a bicycle, travels far and near, books, gift cards, and other surprising gifts.

For information:
- Taking part in the Garden Festival and sharing information are embassies of 20 European Union countries.
- In 2009, the first European Union Garden Festival brought together 10 thousand visitors.
- First time this year: during the day, LTV7 will regularly broadcast from Vērmanes Garden, and online coverage with opportunities for comment will be provided on http://www.esmaja.lv.

Besides, during the European Week, a number of other events will be held in Riga and in Latvia's regions: information days, exhibitions, competitions, seminars, etc. A detailed programme is available on the official website http://www.esmaja.lv.

The European Week and the Europe Day in Vērmanes Garden are organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the European Parliament Information Office, the Riga City Council and the embassies of the European Union member states in Riga.

You are welcome to take part!

Further information: Gunita Berķe

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