European Month of Culture

2017 will mark the 5th year of the European Month of Culture #EUMC - a month-long festival with a succession of cultural events held in Washington DC, highlighting the diverse cultures of the 28 countries of the European Union. May was chosen for a reason: the symbolic date of May 9 or Europe Day, when French Minister Robert Schuman made a historical speech, now known as the Schuman Declaration and viewed as one of the pivotal founding moments of the European Union. For this key cultural program, the EU Delegation partners with prestigious US cultural and educational institutions; this partnership is a wonderful example of the value of EU-US collaboration. Innovative cultural programming of the EUMC includes concerts, dance, lectures, theatrical performances, symposiums, workshops, film screenings, language classes, culinary demonstrations, art and other exhibits. Most events are free. May is also the International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington and a highly popular time for outside DC visitors. Hence, all the events this festival is offering, although held locally, are shared globally.