The European Union Mission in Rwanda has unveiled a host of activities to mark the first Europe Day celebrations in Rwanda. Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe and around the world. It is marked every May 9.

In a press conference at the EU headquarters in Kigali on Thursday, EU ambassador to Rwanda Michael Ryan announced that there will be a host of cultural events in Kigali to mark the occasion.

"This is basically a celebration of Europe in Rwanda and the whole idea is to show that Europe and Rwanda are together,” revealed Ambassador Ryan.

He added that there will be lots of cultural activities to celebrate the fact that the European Union has been a partner in Rwanda for many years, noting that the organization’s partnership with Rwanda dates back to 1968, when it was still known as the European Economic Commission (EEC).

The first event, the European Street Fair 2017 takes place on Saturday May 6, at the Amahoro Stadium parking area.

There will be a host of fun activities for families and children, including puppet shows, bouncing castles, face painting, quizzes and games, and photo sessions with some of the day’s stage acts. These will take place from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, after which the musical performances will start.

Some of the local acts lined up to perform are; Buravan, Mico Band, Kinga Blues, Charly and Nina, Riderman, and the Nyundo Symphony Band. Also on stage will be rappers Angel Mutoni and Mike Kayihura, inanga star Deo Munyakazi, Eric Soul, and Prime from the Agrogroove Music Band. There will also be international guest performances from DJs Vasco and Pim from the Netherlands.

There will also be some displays to show some of the work of the European Union in Rwanda.

"The European Union is not just a diplomatic entity reaching out to governments, but also to the people,” stressed the EU ambassador Ryan.

The next event will be staged on May 9, the official Europe Day, which also coincides with the EU’s 60th anniversary.

Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo is expected to preside over as the guest of honor, and will deliver a speech on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.

On May 11 there will be a jazz concert by a French jazz pianist brought by the French Embassy at the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) auditorium in Kimihurura.

There will also be an International and European Union Food Fair at the EU residence in Kacyiru on Saturday May 12. Here, guests will converge to sample different culinary delights from all corners of the world. It will be a charity event in partnership with the Africa International Club, and proceeds will go to charity.

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