Europe Day at Pakhuis de Zwijger
7 Apr 2026
Culture is not a luxury. It is what holds Europe together. Across a continent facing geopolitical pressure, artists, cultural organisations, creative businesses and communities are shaping how people connect, participate and imagine shared futures. In this sense, democracy is not only institutional. It is lived through culture, through solidarity, care and everyday interaction.
On 8 May 2026, Europe Day brings together creatives, innovators, entrepreneurs, cultural organisations and policymakers to explore culture and creativity as critical infrastructure. The programme focuses on how cultural collaboration strengthens European resilience and what is needed to support it going forward.
The day will explore key areas shaping Europe’s future, including democratic media and journalism, European sentiment and cultural cohesion, innovation and responsible technology, fashion and circularity, and the scaling of Europe’s cultural and creative industries. Through these conversations, the programme highlights how culture contributes to participation, trust and a shared sense of belonging.
The event begins with a joint opening, followed by sessions such as How Does Culture Make Us Care?, Culture as Critical Infrastructure in Action, and Digital Sovereignty in Europe’s Media Landscape. After parallel programming with the Satellite BEYOND, the day concludes with a joint closing and networking moment.
Europe Day is a space to meet, exchange and reflect on what makes Europe feel like home, and how cultural practice continues to shape that experience.
This programme is organised by DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, EIT Culture & Creativity, the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) and Kunsten ’92. It is part of a wider moment of exchange and reflection around the city of Amsterdam and the continent. In the days around Europe Day, ECF will also host and support a series of events, including the Vrijheidsmaaltijd at Domo on 5 May, a screening of ‘Europe’ at IDFA on 6 May, the book launch of The Europeans at Domo on 7 May, and the launch of Common Ground 2026 at Athenaeum Nieuwscentrum on 9 May.
