A kaleidoscope of European cultures has been brought to Hanoians through the Europe Days 2018 programme which opened in Hanoi on May 4.

The Europe Days 2018 is underway in Hanoi with a wide range of cultural activities.

The event, jointly held by the Delegation of the European Union (EU), Embassies of the union’s member states and European cultural centres, offers a string of various activities that demonstrate the diversity of European culture from art and cuisine to lifestyle. 

At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung affirmed that the event will bring a vibrant cultural space for local people and visitors at the weekends.

He expressed his hope that the EU Delegation and the embassies will continue to organise similar events to bolster cultural exchanges and promote connection between Hanoi people and those in the European nations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, noted that the European Days 2018 is organised right in the heart of Hanoi, aiming to make European cultures more familiar to Vietnamese people.

Europe Village will be a special highlight of the programme, which takes place at the Ly Thai To Statue Garden by Hoan Kiem Lake from May 4-6. Visitors to the Europe Village this year will be entertained with a series of 30 activities, ranging from concerts, sports, cultural performances and fashion shows to creative games for kids.

A special concert will be held on May 11 and 13 at the Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh Municipal Opera House featuring a programme of romantic music by European composers including Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven. 

Vietnamese violinist Bui Cong Duy will perform at the concert. He has won several awards including the first prize and golden medal of the 3rd International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Saint Peterburg.

In addition, the European Book Days 2018 will be held in Hanoi for the eighth time and Ho Chi Minh City for the third time. Book lovers will have opportunities to discover new books from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Belgium while indulging themselves in readings, workshops, exhibitions, films and quiz games.

On May 9, the European Union marks the symbolic date when Robert Schuman – the former French Minister of Foreign Affairs – put forward his ideas on a united Europe to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the continent. This historical declaration and its great significance continue to lead the integration project and to inspire partnerships to be forged beyond the borders of Europe.-VNA