In collaboration with the Commission-funded Hub in Active European Citizenship in University College Cork, Cork City Council hosted a Europe Day Festival in Cork City Council's Concert Hall on 7 May 2023.
This expo-style event provided fun and educational opportunities for families to learn more about the EU, and the role it plays in Irish life.
With almost 20 exhibitors, activities were available to children from early primary school age to transition year.
Singing and dancing performances took place on the main stage of Cork City Concert Hall throughout the day.
There were lots of different activities to discover and have fun on the theme of the European Union and its values of solidarity, equality, democracy, freedom, and non-discrimination.
Some of the activities included learning about the concept of shared sovereignty at the heart of the EU by making smoothies with the cofounder of My Big Friendly Guide to the EU, or get a flavour of multilingualism by listening to three books read in English, Irish, Swedish, Greek and German
A whole family could compete for a weekend away (sponsored by Cork Airport and Cork City Council) in an EU-themed City Treasure Hunt around Cork City or interrogate the Hub's Chatbot which had been programmed to positively engage and inform on the EU, and Ireland's membership, in ten European languages.
All activities were child-friendly, light-hearted, and based on exchange.