Rio Celebrates Europe Day in Glória this Saturday

By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Saturday, May 5th, Praça Luís de Camões square, in Glória, will host the Carioca celebration of Europe Day. In its third edition, the free event pays tribute to the continent by promoting a bustling cultural line-up, including typical food stalls, live music, and even language classes from 12PM to 9PM.

The Europe Day is officially celebrated on May 9th, when on this particular date in 1950, French statesman Robert Schuman launched the first project of a supranational European entity. The proposal, known as the “Schuman Declaration”, can be considered the very beginning of the European Union.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Europe Day arose from the partnership between the European Union delegation, the EUNIC Rio (European Union National Institutes for Culture), the French and German consulates and the Polish embassy in Brasília. Rio’s third Europe Day is part of the fourteenth Europe’s Week, project organized by the EUNIC Brasil, EU delegation, and various European embassies.

Like in the previous editions, this Saturday’s event will bring together various cultural attractions, which aim to show Europe as a diverse continent and present what Brazil and the continent have in common.

During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to play pétanque, France’s typical game, to learn soccer moves with Danish player Morten Hauglund, and participate in language workshops (French, Spanish, Italian, German, Danish and Polish), which will take place from 1PM to 5PM.

The program will also include Spanish flamenco dance performances, story telling, and a quiz, in which participants will be running for scholarships in language courses from the Goethe Institut, Aliança Francesa, Denmark Cultural Institute, Italian Institute of Cultura, and the Cervantes Institute.

Great musical attractions will also take part on Europe Day, such as DJ Bruno Eppinghaus, who will spin the latest from Brazilian and European music throughout the day, the Brazilian instrumental group Bondesom, and Danish band RKPG and DJ MAM, who will be launching his most recent project, “Sotaque Carregado Europeu” (Strong European Accent).

When it comes to food, the event promises not to disappoint: chefs from several European countries will bring the typical flavours from the continent to Glória on Saturday, May 5th. French chef, Frederic Monier’s dishes; Belgium waffles by Belga Wafels; Casa de Espanha’s paella; German treats by Dufte Padaria Alemã; and Czech It Out’s Czech food are some of the great options one can find.

“With this event, we want to celebrate the union between Europeans. We have a long history in common, where our cultures, despite the differences, walk together,” says Robin Mallick, president of EUNIC Rio and Goethe Institut.

What: Europe’s Day 2018 in Rio
When: this Saturday, May 5th – 12PM to 9PM
Where: Praça Luís de Camões, Rua do Russel – Glória
Entrance: FREE