The 25^th of May was unusually chilly and rainy day for this time of the year. Yet, the slops of the Vodno Mount above Skopje were unusually busy. Hundreds of people - of all ages - turned out at the starting line for 5 km- and 10 km-runs, guided by the wish to show solidarity and help raising funds for affected by the 16 March fire in a Kochani night club. Simultaneously, in similar weather conditions, but with the same enthusiasm, humanitarian runs took place in six other towns – Bitola, Kriva Palanka, Struga, Strumica, Tetovo and Veles. Side by side with citizens ran ambassadors and staff from the Delegation and Member States’ embassies. The number of registered runners was over 3,300. 

“All for Kochani. We Run Together” was the main in the series of events that the EU Delegation and the Europe House network, together with Member States’ embassies, organised in the course of May to mark Europe Day in a manner that bring to the front the core EU values – unity and solidarity. 

EU support for Kochani began immediately after the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 62 - mainly young - people and left almost 200 injured. With the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 115 patients with serious burns were swiftly transported for treatment to EU Member States and partner countries. For many of them, that timely action was life-saving.

In addition to humanitarian races, at the reception of the EU Delegation on the occasion of Europe Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje - a symbol of resistance and solidarity - an exhibition was opened in cooperation with the national association of artists - DLUM. Local artists generously donated their works, which were put up for sale to raise funds in support of those affected by the tragedy.

The amount raised from the runners’ registration fees and the sale of donated artworks reached nearly 1.5 million MKD (over 24,000 euros). These funds were directly credited to the account of the Red Cross of North Macedonia, which will distribute them to those in need. 

In addition to immediate aid, the EU Delegation also ensured long-term psychosocial support for Kochani residents through the Centre for Psychosocial and Crisis Action. Member States are also providing different forms of support through their national mechanisms. For example, the Embassy of Sweden is organising a visit of a delegation from Gothenburg, a city that experienced a similar tragedy in 1998, that will share experiences with the Kochani community on how to cope with collective trauma.