ODESA, MAY 20th, 2013, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE ― A series of events dedicated to the celebration of the Europe Days in Ukraine were held in Odesa, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The press service of Odesa Regional Council reported today, 20 May.

According to the press service, Odesa, as the whole Ukraine, once again celebrated the Europe Day.

The celebration took place in Odesa, with the active support of the diplomatic missions accredited in our city. The opening of the European Film Festival in the U-CINEMA, themed cycle race at the health track, youth quest dedicated to the history and European roots of Odesa were held through 17 ― 19 May.

On Sunday, the European camping site was pitched in the City Garden. Also the celebratory convoy with members of the national-cultural associations and youth organizations came here by the route “Potemkinskaya Stairs ― Primorskiy Boulevard ― Dumskaya Square ― Deribasovskaya Street”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional State Administration Oleksandr Malin said that “since the foundation, diverse and international Odesa maintained close relations with all countries”. Odesa Mayor Oleksiy Kostusev added that “there has always been and will be the European spirit”, and vice-president of the Regional Council Oleksiy Goncharenko recalled the founding fathers: Italian-Spaniard de Ribas, Frenchman Richelieu, and Dutch de Volan.

“We are not just striving to European integration. Ukraine and Odesa is a part of Europe, we have the European culture, we are the European people. And I am sure that Ukraine will become a part of that one family that has united many European countries,” Mr Goncharenko said.

Then there was the presentation of dishes of national cuisines, the launch of balloons, a variety of contests and quizzes, school of European dances. The evening ended with a brass band and the screening of films in the open air.