Hanoi (VNA) – A kaleidoscope of European cultures has been brought toHanoians through the Europe Days 2018 programme which opened in Hanoi on May 4.

The event, jointly held by the Delegation of the European Union (EU), Embassiesof the union’s member states and European cultural centres, offers a string ofvarious activities that demonstrate the diversity of European culture from artand cuisine to lifestyle.

At the opening ceremony, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee NguyenDuc Chung affirmed that the event will bring a vibrant cultural space for localpeople and visitors at the weekends.

He expressed his hope that the EU Delegation and the embassies will continue toorganise similar events to bolster cultural exchanges and promote connectionbetween Hanoi people and those in the European nations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, notedthat the European Days 2018 is organised right in the heart of Hanoi, aiming tomake European cultures more familiar to Vietnamese people.

Europe Village will be a special highlight of the programme, which takes placeat the Ly Thai To Statue Garden by Hoan Kiem Lake from May 4-6. Visitors to theEurope Village this year will be entertained with a series of 30 activities,ranging from concerts, sports, cultural performances and fashion shows tocreative games for kids.

A special concert will be held on May 11 and 13 at the Hanoi Opera House and HoChi Minh Municipal Opera House featuring a programme of romantic music byEuropean composers including Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven.

Vietnamese violinist Bui Cong Duy will perform at the concert. He has wonseveral awards including the first prize and golden medal of the 3rd International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Saint Peterburg.

In addition, the European Book Days 2018 will be held in Hanoi for the eighthtime and Ho Chi Minh City for the third time. Book lovers will haveopportunities to discover new books from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland,France, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Belgium while indulgingthemselves in readings, workshops, exhibitions, films and quiz games.

On May 9, theEuropean Union marks the symbolic date when Robert Schuman – the former FrenchMinister of Foreign Affairs – put forward his ideas on a united Europe to bringlasting peace and prosperity to the continent. This historical declaration andits great significance continue to lead the integration project and to inspirepartnerships to be forged beyond the borders of Europe.-VNA