On May 9, Tbilisi hosted a grand celebration of Europe Day, one of the most vibrant international events of the spring, organized by the European Union Delegation to Georgia led by Paweł Herczyński.
The grounds of the Expo Georgia exhibition center were transformed into a vast European space for dialogue, culture, creativity, education, and international cooperation. The event brought together diplomatic missions of European countries, international organizations, civil society initiatives, educational and cultural platforms, as well as entrepreneurs and creative projects developing with the support of European programs.
The celebration featured panel discussions, presentations, interactive meetings, creative workshops, and educational activities for both children and adults. Each EU member state presented its own themed space dedicated to culture, education, innovation, and international cooperation.
A special place in the program was occupied by presentations from Georgian producers and startups that received support from European funds and development programs. Visitors had the opportunity to discover local brands, gastronomic projects, handmade products, and small business sectors currently thriving in Georgia.
Following tradition, the Ukrainian House in Tbilisi joined the large-scale celebration, alongside Valentyna Mardzhanishvili, head of the NGO “Georgian-Ukrainian Platform” and director of Business Woman magazine in Georgia. The Ukrainian House has become an essential space for supporting the Ukrainian community in Georgia, fostering cultural dialogue, and implementing humanitarian and social initiatives.
As part of a collaboration with UN Women Georgia, the products of ten Ukrainian women entrepreneurs were presented. These women either started or expanded their businesses in Georgia following the start of the full-scale war.
The Ukrainian space garnered sincere interest and a warm response from visitors. In addition to showcasing products, the Ukrainian House continued its humanitarian initiative, ENERGIZE UKRAINE, collecting aid to support hospitals in the Sumy region, which suffer daily from Russian attacks.
The space hosted by the Nino Katamadze Foundation also drew significant attention. The renowned Georgian jazz singer has consistently supported Ukrainians since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. At the event, the foundation organized a large children’s area with creative activities and a presentation of art objects created by Ukrainian children. Despite the difficult circumstances, the foundation continues to provide Ukrainian children with the opportunity to attend creative classes free of charge.
Sunny weather and an atmosphere of openness and solidarity attracted a large number of visitors. Expo Georgia became a hub for live communication, cultural exchange, and a demonstration that European values are, above all, about mutual respect, solidarity, and human support.
A vital part of the program was a panel discussion held as part of the EU information campaign “My Europe, My Future.” The discussion, titled “What Makes Us European?”, featured Anatoliy Malyuska, Gareth Ward, and Rebecca Lee, and was moderated by the Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński.
During the discussion, Anatoliy Malyuska emphasized the irreversibility of Ukraine’s European integration course and the importance of support from European partners. He also highlighted the significance of the further expansion of the European Union, noting that Ukraine’s membership would be crucial for both the security and economic development of all of Europe.
“To dance a successful tango, active cooperation between two partners is required,” he noted.
In turn, Paweł Herczyński stressed that Europe is a space of diversity where each country preserves its own culture and identity, and that the path to the European Union is based primarily on democratic development and shared values.
These words became the central message of this year’s Europe Day in Tbilisi: the European future is shaped not only by political decisions but also by daily cooperation, cultural dialogue, support for people, and a shared responsibility for democratic values.
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Photo: event organisers, AsaturovaUA