The European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with partners and citizens across the country, is marking Europe Day (9 May) with a varied programme of cultural, sport, and educational events throughout May 2025.
“Europe Day is an opportunity to celebrate Europe’s achievements, but also a reminder that the vision of the EU’s founders of a continent united in peace and prosperity is still incomplete,” said Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is always in the heart of Europe, and we invite everyone to take part in this year’s celebrations, as we continue to work hard, despite challenging times, for a future where Bosnia and Herzegovina takes its rightful place in the European Union.”
The centrepiece of this year’s celebrations will be three “Always in the Heart of Europe” open-air concerts planned in Sarajevo (9 May), Mostar (10 May) and Banja Luka (16 May). The concerts are free of charge and people of all ages are welcome.
The concert in Sarajevo will start at 20:00 on 9 May in front of the Hall of the Armed Forces of BiH. The performers will be Stoposto, a Sarajevo-based alternative hip-hop artist, Artan Lili, Serbian alternative and indie rock band and Ida Prester and Lollobrigida, a Croatian electric band. The concert in Mostar on 10 May will take place as of 20:00 at Hamam stage in the Old Town and feature globally acclaimed DJ Andrew Meller with local talents Andrej Jelic and Lubnya. On 16 May from 20:00 Banja Luka’s Kastel will welcome the Paris-based DJ Technasia, renowned for his dynamic fusion of techno, house and melodic elements as well as local DJ and producer Nebs Jack.
Sport will be a major focus of this year’s Europe Day celebrations. On 7 May in Zenica, to jointly celebrate World Kids’ Athletic Day and Europe Day hundreds of high school students will gather in on Kamberovića polje stadium for a day of competition, skill and fun. On 9 May in Sarajevo, the renovated premises of the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education will officially open following an EU investment of almost one million KM.
The European Film Days have now become an established tradition, and as in previous years, they will bring together some of the best European films to Sarajevo’s Meeting Point Cinema from 17-23 May. Organised in cooperation with Embassies of the EU Member States in BiH and EUNIC, the network of their cultural institutes, these free screenings showcase the achievements and originality of European cinema.
Young people will be at the centre of the Europe Day celebrations, and there will educational and interactive workshops for high school students in Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo and Tuzla. These will take place from 8-16 May and provide young people with a unique opportunity to better understand the EU accession process through role playing, teamwork and debates. The workshops enable the students to become decision makers, negotiators, media representatives and gain a better understanding of the complex process through interactive activities. The EU in BiH will also join the “Youth and European Integration” conference organised by the Directorate for European Integration on 7 May.
Ambassador Luigi Soreca and EU Ambassadors and Heads of Mission to BiH will also visit Mostar and Sutjeska National Park on 10-11 May. During the visit, they will get a chance to find out more about the impact of EU assistance for communities in BiH, and meet local officials, civil society representatives and activists, entrepreneurs and young people.
Quiz enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to test their knowledge on European culture, history, geography and heritage at the EU quizzes taking place in Bihać, Sarajevo, Čapljina and Brčko on 8 and 9 May with the best teams receiving awards!
The full programme of Europe Day activities is available here: https://europehouse.ba/en/europe-day/
