European Union celebrates Europe Day by emphasizing importance of voting for elections

The European Union is celebrating Europe Day on May 9, the anniversary of the Schuman declaration, one of the stepping stones for the EU. During the day, the Union emphasizes the importance of voting, one month before the European elections taking place from June 6-9. 

The Schuman declaration is considered as the beginning of the European Union, a proposal to unite the coal and steel industries of France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, after the second World War. 

The institutions take advantage of the 74th anniversary of the declaration to remind people of the importance of going to the polls on election day. 

"Use your vote or others will decide for you" is the slogan of the European Parliament for this year's Europe Day and the upcoming elections. 

At the same time, the European Union reaffirms their support for Ukraine and highlights the importance of going against actions by countries such as Russia.

Europe Day celebrations 

Celebrations of Europe day started on May 8 and will last until June 9, election day. 

More than 40 entities and institutions are organizing activities for people of all ages, which are in line with the European values of democracy, integration and dialogue.

The celebrations kicked off on May 8 in the evening with blue projections lighting some of Barcelona's most famous monuments.  

Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí's world famous Sagrada Familía was bathed in blue, alongside the Arc de Triomf, the Liceu opera hall, Palau de la Música music hall, the Torre Telefònica tower and the Torre Glòries tower as well as some other iconic sites in the Catalan capital.

On May 9, monuments in Spain's capital, Madrid, will also be lit up in the European Union's color. 

Europe day brings many activities, such as concerts, movie screenings, cultural events, and even workshops for youth on how to battle disinformation.