Set to provide a bridge for cross-cultural exchange, the “Europe Days 2017” is jointly held by the Delegation of the European Union (EU), the Embassies of the EU Member States and the European Cultural Institutes, to mark Europe Day – 9 May. 

“Europe Days 2017” proposes a combination of activities on music, cinema, theatre, education, literature and environment. 

“On the 9th of May, we celebrate Europe Day. The day when, five years after World War II, Robert Schuman suggested to create common institutions and lock the European States into trade and peace and abolish war amongst them. Today, the European Union is his greatest achievement. Europe Day is to mark this achievement. We are truly delighted to witness the growing public attention in Vietnam for the Europe Daysprogram. Offering a wide range of events, we hope that Europe Days 2017 will continue to attract many people across the spectrum of Vietnamese society,” said Head of Delegation – Ambassador Bruno Angelet.

Highlights of “Europe Days 2017” in Vietnam include:

Two prominent Europe Day Musical Performances: the 1st concert, taking place in Hanoi, will present the talented French-Haitian pianist Célimène Daudet. Célimène Daudet is a soloist whose playing is described by the press as “seductive, delicate and burning lyricism”. 

At the Europe Day Concert, she will perform a program of baroque, romantic and impressionist music by four European composers: Jean Sebastien Bach, Ferrucio Busoni, Franz Liszt and César Franck. These four names enriched the history of music in the world. 

The 2nd concert will introduce the Belgian hip-hop group Les R’tardataires. Les R’tardataires (Those who are always late) categorize themselves in a strange sphere without doublespeak, where funk, reggae, rock and gipsy music mix up with off the wall hip-hop. Thanks to their multiple influences, these rappers from Liège (Beligum) have indeed good arguments to seduce and attract all kinds of music lovers. This concert will take place in Ho Chi Minh City.

The annual European Film Festival promises to delight Vietnamese spectators with 15 inspiring films, presenting a journey through “tolerance” and “respect”. It is an odyssey, reflecting dreams, passion, fear and frustration, fun and joy, mistakes and recognition – of every European.

The diversity of European cultural traditions will manifest itself in the European Literature event in Hanoi and for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City, organised by the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) and the EU Delegation. 

At the events, Vietnamese readers will have chances to enjoy new books from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Wallonie-Bruxelles (Belgium). 

In addition to the presentation of the books, there will be opportunities for readers to meet authors, listen to talks and readings, or register for workshops on creative writing.

For audiences those who have strong interest in drama, two theatre plays “Blue Bird” and “Roméo & Juliette Cinema Theater”, organised by the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation and the French Institute, respectively, will be a unique entertaining experience.

In the conviction that there is no better way to improve understanding between Europeans and Vietnamese than through people to people exchanges, in particular involving the young generations, two education – related conferences “Conference on Smart Sustainable Cities in Vietnam” and ” Erasmus+ Regional Seminar for Asia – Academic cooperation and Mobility” will further increase and promote stronger cooperation, exchanges, and partnerships in education between European countries and Asian countries, as well as between the Asian countries.

A special essay writing contest, targeting the young Vietnamese generation, will invite participants to express their perception and comments on European cultural diversity, technology and innovation achievements in Europe and the European integration. The contest will award three top prizes which are three return trips to Rome, Paris and Brussels, including five – night accommodation in each city.

Other activities include a German exhibition “Berlin through the eyes of American photographer Jamie Maxtone-Graham” and a German Film Festival for young people, a British film scoring workshop, a European Business event, a Trade and Investment related seminar and a seminar on climate change.

PV