Cookie travels

It was not a usual day. We saw a band playing on stage at Promenadi and there were also few tents put up selling food. I was wondering what these all are about. As we came closer to watch the performers on stage, I saw a banner with the writing: Europpa Paivan. I’m not good in Finnish-English but it’s clear to me that those words mean Europe Day. I don’t know if most Europeans or other people knew about this. I for sure don’t know ..:-) So let me go further to the story behind Europe Day.

It was on 9th May 1950 when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman read his proposal to the international press appealing to European countries to combine their coal and steel production under one European body. His speech is known as the “Schuman declaration” and paved way to the creation of what is now called the European Union. If you are interested to know more about the full text of the Schuman declaration of 9 May 1950, it’s right here.

So there you go, every 9th May is a joyful celebration for members of the European Union as it marks the day when European Union was created. It’s nice to know that the city of Pori joins other citizens of European Union in celebrating this anniversary. Happy Europpa Paivan!