On 7 May 2017 the Council of Europe joined forces with the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, 18 Embassies and Consulates from the EU member states, and other partners to observe Europe Day on the territory adjacent to Europe Square in Tbilisi, Georgia. Thousands of citizens and other passers-by took part in the organised festivities.
The service was launched by President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili and Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia János Herman. The Delegation of the European Union to Georgia organised numerous games, concerts, and other performances throughout the day.
The Council of Europe table was popular among citizens and tourists alike from the beginning. Visitors received Council of Europe memorabilia, awareness raising brochures, and literature on human rights, democracy, and rule of law. At several junctures throughout the day, the Council of Europe table hosted quiz games with questions checking participants’ knowledge on the Council as well as on Europe more broadly. For those participants with little or no command of the Georgian language, questions were readily translated on the spot into English, Russian, and even Spanish. Those who were able to correctly answer the questions received suitable prizes. The objective behind these quiz games, which proved to be among the most popular activities of the day, was to raise the profile of the organisation, to promote basic knowledge on European human rights institutions, and to instil a sense of Europeanness among participating children and young adults.
Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: 5 May for the Council of Europe, and 9 May for the European Union (EU). The Council of Europe's day reflects its own establishment in 1949, while the European Union's day is also known as Schuman Day and celebrates the historical declaration by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950. Europe Day is one of a number of European symbols designed to foster unity among Europeans.
