What have Europe's children done to deserve this?
"On 9 May, pupils in the schools of the four corners of Europe will discuss the EU's role in the world with European Commission 'ambassadors'. By going local, to talk directly to European students (13-18 year-olds) and listen to their views, the Commission 'ambassadors' will stimulate debate on the EU's commitment to solidarity".
Poor wretches. Especially the children, but I imagine it will be a pretty ghastly experience for the 'ambassadors', some of whom might be relatively blameless.
Meanwhile, the 9th of May is Europe Day. Apparently. And this is what the EU website has to say about it:
"On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
"Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another". How delightful.
Europe is not alone in having a day of fervour named for a continent, as it will be Africa Day on the 25th. Not that I am a cynic, but I imagine the Afro bunfight slated for Trafalgar Square was an initiative cooked up by the previous Mayor.
Poor wretches. Especially the children, but I imagine it will be a pretty ghastly experience for the 'ambassadors', some of whom might be relatively blameless.
Meanwhile, the 9th of May is Europe Day. Apparently. And this is what the EU website has to say about it:
"On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
"Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another". How delightful.
Europe is not alone in having a day of fervour named for a continent, as it will be Africa Day on the 25th. Not that I am a cynic, but I imagine the Afro bunfight slated for Trafalgar Square was an initiative cooked up by the previous Mayor.
Labels: EU fun and games, London
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on Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 12:16 pm.
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I may well be wrong, but I thought that the anthem would be dropped under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty to assuage British sensibilities that we are not joining a Federal Europe.
Can someone confirm or rebut?
TwT - Not to my knowledge, if it is 'Ode to Joy' we are talking about. That has been in use for decades, and I do not think that implies statehood any more than 'Jerusalem' does separatism for we English types.
Perhaps TWT is referring to the Brown line that the Lison Treaty doesn't have articles about the anthem and symbols. This is true, because the anthems and symbols were introduced in an earlier treaty, but were included in the Constitution because that was a fresh document.
Ode to Joy is German - what has that to do with France?
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