EU institutions mark Europe Day with large EU flag in Barcelona city center

The EU Commission and EU Parliament delegations to Barcelona marked Europe Day by displaying a large EU flag in the city center.

The event, which took place at Plaça Sant Jaume square, the site of the Catalan government and Barcelona council headquarters, also saw a youth choir and orchestra mark the 73rd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration with a rendition of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy', the European Anthem.

The declaration presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on May 9, 1950, proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, a predecessor to today's European Union. At the time, it was seen as a means of preventing further conflict between France and Germany. 

"The legacy of Robert Schuman, which is what we are celebrating today, is as alive as ever," said Manuel Szapiro, the director of the EU Commission delegation to Barcelona. "We need to fight for peace."

The city's small businesses took part in Europe Day celebrations as they fall on the same day as the European Day of Local Retail.

The Catalan capital could become the first European Capital of Local Retail as early as next year, something many local businesses are campaigning for.