Europe Day 2026 celebrated in The Gambia with painting, music, dance and fashion!

Europe Day 2026 celebrated in The Gambia with painting, music, dance and fashion!

On 12 May, the Delegation of the European Union to The Gambia marked Europe Day 2026 with a vibrant reception.

Among those present were the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, who delivered a key note speech besides the EU Ambassador Imma Roca i Cortés, and eight other Ministers. They were joined by Ambassadors and Representatives of Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as Gambian and international partners from the UN, NGOs and CSOs.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Roca i Cortés underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship, stating: "This celebration stands as a testament to the enduring friendship, strong partnership, and mutual cooperation between the European Union and The Gambia across all sectors of national development."

The celebration was an opportunity to reassert the strong and enduring partnership between the European Union and The Gambia, a partnership based on common values of multilateralism, democracy, human rights and sustainable development.

The evening also featured a memorable cultural performance - entailing painting, dance, traditional music and a fashion show - specifically designed for the occasion to showcase the creativity and talent of young people benefiting from EU support under the EU Youth Empowerment Project.

The performances featured the dance group Flex Fuzion alongside the National Ensemble, with traditional music by Buba on the Kora and Yusupha Suso on the Balafon. The performance also presented elegant, "Made-In-The Gambia" designs from local designers Rabbal, S.N.D Design, Ziza, and Tanna Studio and a live image painting portraying the enduring partnership between the EU and The Gambia.

Background
Observed annually on 9 May, Europe Day commemorates the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for today's European Union. Over time, it has evolved into a meaningful platform for international cooperation, people-to-people ties, and cultural exchanges that enhance mutual understanding across the globe.