Europe Day celebration with film festival

A number of activities and events including the annual European Film Festival have been scheduled as part of the celebration to commemorate ‘Europe Day’ starting today combining with the European Film Festival from the 14th through to 21st.
Europe Day which falls of the 9th of May is celebrated by Europeans around the world annually since 1985 and has also been celebrated in Vanuatu since then to promote and build a Europe that respects freedom and the identity of its people. The event has now become an opportunity for Europeans to celebrate their achievements, reflect on their aims of working together towards freedom and prosperity, and showcase their rich and diverse history and culture.

This year the European Union, French Embassy and Alliance Francaise in collaboration with Nambawan Café and Wan Smolbag will be organising various events around Port Vila and Santo to share the celebration with citizens in Vanuatu.
According to a joint press conference last Friday afternoon hosted by the EU and French Embassy, the celebration will kick-start tomorrow afternoon with an official reception held at the Charge d’ Affaires residence in Tassiriki.
On Thursday the 10th, Wan Smolbag collaborating with the EU Delegation to Vanuatu will put on two short theatrical performance, namely ‘Whu nao I rong?’ and ‘Bae yu vot o no?’ promoting the theme ‘Leaders of tomorrow’. The play will be open to public on a first come first serve basis and should start at around 6pm. Other highlights for the evening include a speech from the Charge d’ Affaires himself and handing out of prize packs for Wan Smolbag EU quiz winners.

The European Film Festival which is co – funded and co – organized by the French Embassy, Delegation of the European Union and the Alliance Francaise will be from the 14th to the 21st of May. During the week there will be viewing of European films in various locations in Port Vila such as the Alliance Francaise and the Central Market, and Nambawan Café. The opening the festival will be officiated at the Alliance Francaise with a cocktail at 6pm and the official closing will be held in Luganville. The movies will also be shown at the Namabawan Café for a month so there wouldn’t be any change of missing out.

In the midst of all the parting and movies, there’s a more quiet way to celebrate and that is to read about Europe. There will be a Europe Corner at the Port Vila Public Library where people can pick up books and brochures to learn more about Europe.
Also happening within the week, a Panel Discussion with the theme Ol Man mo Ol Woman Oli Wok tugeta long Climete Change organized by the EU Delegation, GIZ and the Department of Meteorology will be held on the 11th of May at the Sea Front Stage.