EUROPE DAY

Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman Declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political co-operation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

Europe Day 2020 was like no other. Coming the day after VE Day, it was a sobering reminder of the end of WW2 and, in a time when the people of Europe and around the world are in confinement, isolated behind closed borders, in homes behind closed doors, this year we are together in a new way. formed in a shared solidarity and concern for the sick, the bereaved, the vulnerable, and the key workers keeping us safe and ensuring essential supplies.

For many people in Moseley, this year was poignant in being the first time in almost 50 years that Europe Day was observed without the UK being a member state of the EU.

Some of us chose to combine celebrations sharing tea and cakes with neighbours in acknowledgement that peace and unity begins at home and no man or nation is an island.

The Queen hit the nail on the head in her VE Day address to the nation:

“The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war was to ensure that it didn’t happen again. The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.”

Izzy Knowles

The community in Moseley has joined communities across Europe in pulling together, with friendships and partnerships