The 51st Congress session (Strasbourg, 27-29 October 2026) features a number of side events, including a presentation of the book “Unbreakable Kherson” on wartime resilience developed from the region’s experience of occupation, liberation and ongoing attacks, to take place on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 12.45 pm in Room 10 of the Palais de l’Europe, with the participation of the Head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, and Congress Vice-President Cecilia Dalman Eek.
On Monday 26 October, the Heorhiy Maiboroda National Bandurist Chorus of Ukraine will perform in the Hemicycle of the Palais de l’Europe starting at 6 pm. Founded in Kyiv in 1918, the chorus carries more than a century of Ukrainian musical tradition. The event offers an opportunity to hear the live sound of the bandura, which has become a symbol of Ukraine’s nationhood and resilience.
On Tuesday 27 October, the Permanent Representations of Iceland and Ukraine to the Council of Europe organise a side event on “Women’s Political Participation and Democratic Resilience in Ukraine amid Russia’s Full-Scale War”.
The event will focus on how to safeguard women’s political participation and representation in Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and post-war democratic development as well as the key role played by women in sustaining Ukrainian communities and democratic institutions during the war. It will also highlight key challenges Ukrainian women politicians face and how civil society organisations work to enhance women's political participation and prepare for post-war elections in Ukraine. The event will take place at 1.15 pm in Room 6 of the Palais de l’Europe.
Also on Tuesday 27 October, there will be a presentation of the Council of Europe campaign “Journalists Matter” for the safety of journalists, examining how local authorities can support strong and independent local media, and how local authorities and law enforcement bodies can work together with journalists to ensure their safety as they carry out their crucial work in the interests of stronger democracy. The event will take place at 1.15 pm in Room 10 of the Palais de l’Europe, with the participation of Dutch journalist René Hendriks, representatives of the Swedish police authorities and Congress Vice-President Mélanie Lepoultier.
On Wednesday 28 October, a side event on “Putting the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life into Practice”, supported by the German delegation to the Congress, will feature the participation of Congress youth delegates, who will share their experiences in shaping the future of local democracy. The event will take place at 12.45 pm in Room 8 of the Palais de l’Europe.
Also on Wednesday 28 October, Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen will sign a Memorandum of Co-operation with the Network of Associations of Local Authorities in South-East Europe (NALAS), a long-standing Congress partner.
Information on all side events, exhibitions and receptions during the 51st session is available on the session webpage.
