Europe at 75: Happy Birthday, Europe! Europe Day celebrations begin in Türkiye

09.05.2025 PRESS AND INFORMATION TEAM OF THE DELEGATION TO TÜRKİYE

Europe Day celebrations in Türkiye began this year with a reception in Ankara hosted by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski, and Mrs Anjellica Ossowski.

The reception, held at CerModern, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mansur Yavaş, diplomatic representatives of EU Member States, public officials, civil society organisations and numerous guests.

The event highlighted the significance of the long-standing partnership and cultural dialogue between the European Union and Türkiye. A Digital Photo Exhibition prepared specially for Europe Day showcased EU-supported cultural heritage projects. The reception concluded with live music and a DJ performance.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski noted that European integration was born 75 years ago from the idea of building peace out of the devastation of war, stating: “We are not living through easy times. Seventy-five years ago, Robert Schuman and his peers created a future built on vision — and handed it to us. Now, it is our turn. In a world of shifting alliances and rising uncertainty, The EU and Türkiye — we’ve chosen partnership. The EU and Türkiye stand side by side — as a candidate country to the EU, as a NATO ally, and as neighbours shaping peace, not watching from the sidelines. I leave you with a single thought tonight: a line that carries within it everything we are, and everything we aim to become: Europe is what we make of it. The future is what we make of it. Let’s make it a democratic one and let’s make it a prosperous one — together – the EU and Türkiye - as European friends and partners. Happy Birthday, Europe!”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, also delivered remarks at the event, stating: "The European Union, founded on the basis of the Schuman Declaration, represents not only the launch of a political project but also the hope, resilience and unity of a once-divided continent. We are now at a point in time when the European Union and Türkiye must reassess every pillar of their relationship, sharing common concerns and aspirations for the future, and do their utmost to fully realise the vast potential that this partnership hold”.

The Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mansur Yavaş also said: “We will continue our close cooperation with Ambassador Ossowski, who took office last year. I would like to take this opportunity to once again celebrate Europe Day and wish a healthier, happier, peaceful and just world for all humanity, especially for the peoples of Europe, and to extend my deepest respect to all of you.”

Europe Day Events

For the first time this year, Europe Day receptions will also take place outside Ankara – in Istanbul and Gaziantep:

Istanbul: On 16 May, pop singer Sibel Tüzün and her orchestra will perform at Feriye.
Gaziantep: On the evening of 23 May, jazz vocalists Sibel Köse and Kâmil Erdem will give a concert at the Zeugma Museum reception.

Europe Day Concerts in Five Cities

As part of the Europe Day celebrations, Sibel Köse and Kâmil Erdem will give concerts in five cities in cooperation with the EU Information Centres:

City	Date	Venue
İzmir	14 May	Ahmet Adnan Saygun Arts Centre
Kayseri	21 May	Kayseri Chamber of Commerce Hall
Gaziantep	24 May	Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce Auditorium
Şanlıurfa	26 May	Harran University Amphitheatre
Van	28 May	Yüzüncü Yıl University Cultural Centre