Deputy Head of Delegation's Speech at the 'Colours of Return' Festival

Dear Friends - and most importantly, dear children,

It is such an honour to join you today at the “Colours of Return Festival” — an evening of joy, healing, and hope.

This festival is a fun and joyful event. But it is also a celebration of resilience, of creativity, and of the unwavering human spirit — especially the spirit of children who have been forced to face unimaginable tragedy at a very young age. Today, through music, art, learning and play, we are reminded that even in displacement, children deserve not only safety, but also creativity, dignity, and the promise of a better tomorrow.

On behalf of the European Union, I would like to express our deep appreciation for the Pyramids of Hope initiative. It stands as a powerful model of compassion and action — bringing psychological and educational support to Gazan children displaced by conflict.

I would especially like to thank Ms. Abudagga, Executive Manager of the Badr University Foundation for Community Development and the visionary founder of Pyramids of Hope. Your commitment, energy, and leadership have created a space where children can begin to heal, grow, and feel seen.

This festival — with its beautiful colours, music, and smiles — reminds us that every child carries a future within them. The EU remains committed to supporting the rights and well-being of all children affected by displacement. We will continue working with partners here in Egypt and across the region to ensure that hope is never out of reach.

To the children here today: your voices matter, your dreams matter, and you are not forgotten.

Thank you.