Closer than ever: Europe Day 2026 Celebrations in Armenia
The European Union and Armenia are closer than ever. This was the idea at the heart of this year’s Europe Day celebrations, which kicked off across Armenia on 7 May.
The celebrations opened with a cultural dialogue between the European Union and Armenia. Hosted at the Komitas Museum-Institute, the event explored how cultural dialogue goes beyond sharing traditions, reflecting the values that bring us together: freedom, democracy, inclusion, diversity and innovation.
The largest Europe Day celebration took place on 10 May at Freedom Square in Yerevan.
The celebration opened with welcoming remarks by Vassilis Maragos, EU Ambassador to Armenia, and Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
This year, 16 EU Member State embassies and teams from 39 EU-funded projects took part in the event. The information fair, together with a diverse programme of live performances, brought around 6000 visitors to Freedom Square.
On 14 May, Europe Day celebrations continued in Tavush, with a visit to the Armenian Textile Museum and a Youth Conference.
The same day, Alaverdi hosted a concert featuring the Kalliope Greek Choir of the Union of Greek Communities of Armenia and the Lazur Folk Instruments Ensemble, creating a unique cultural evening for the audience.
On 16 May, Vardanants Square in Gyumri came alive with a major concert featuring PARG, Srbuk and Aram MP3, artists who have represented Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest in different years.
Art has a unique way of bringing people together and highlighting the connections between our cultures. From 21 to 27 May, Yerevan hosted the European Film Festival as part of the Europe Day celebrations. During the same period, a selection of festival films was also screened in Armenia’s regions.
May was filled with a wide range of Europe Day events, meetings and discussions, bringing communities across Armenia together once again around shared ideas and values.
*On May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal to create an organised Europe necessary for peaceful relations and development. Today, May 9 has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto, and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and neighbours.