On Saturday, May 13, the European Union and its Embassies in the United States welcomed over 40,000 visitors to celebrate the diverse cultures, customs, beauty, and unity of Europe at the annual EU Open House. Despite the rainy weather, the event was a huge success. The event takes place every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9, and this year’s open day was also joined by Ukraine, showcasing the EU’s commitment to working with its partners and neighbors.
Visitors had the opportunity to visit the EU Delegation and learn more about the EU’s history, institutions, and policies. They also explored the various Embassies of EU Member States and experienced their unique cultures, traditions, and cuisines. Participating member states of the EU included Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Each country had its own display, highlighting its contribution to the rich tapestry of Europe.
Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, who leads the EU Delegation in the United States, played a key role in this year’s EU Open House. As the EU’s top diplomat in Washington, DC, he has worked to strengthen ties between the EU and the US, promote shared values and interests, and tackle global challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and human rights.
Furthermore, Ambassador Lambrinidis and his team showcased the best of Europe at this year’s EU Open House, highlighting the EU’s cultural diversity, technological innovation, and sustainable development. From Austria’s celebration of the Danube River to Bulgaria’s display of folk art and music, the EU Open House offered something for everyone.
Credit: Diplomatic Watch
Ambassador Lambrinidis emphasized the importance of the EU-US relationship, built on shared values and interests. Despite the challenges and differences, the EU and the US have a common agenda on many issues, such as democracy, human rights, free trade, and security. He highlighted the EU’s commitment to working with the US on climate change and urged greater cooperation on other pressing global issues.
The EU Open House is not only a celebration of Europe’s diversity and unity but also a reminder of the EU’s role as a global actor and partner. The EU is more than a market or a political entity – it is a community of values and aspirations, working together for a better future. The success of this year’s EU Open House is a testament to the EU’s openness, creativity, and resilience and to the strong ties between the EU and the US and its partner and neighboring countries.
40,000+ visitors at #EUOpenHouse today, despite the rain! Our Embassy in DC 🇪🇺 and our EU27 Member States, joined by Ukraine too, opened their doors to share the diverse cultures, customs, beauty & unity of Europe! Kudos to the @EUintheUS team for bringing it all together! 🧵 pic.twitter.com/uwQQ5GgcdS
— Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis 🇪🇺 (@EUAmbUS) May 13, 2023
