Europe Day. Culture is not a Luxury

Across a geopolitically challenged continent, artists, creative businesses and cultural organisations, and communities contribute to make European life meaningful; by building belonging, by sustaining identity and democratic culture. Democracy is more than institutions and infrastructure. Democracy entails solidarity, willingness to care, democracy is a culture. And people shape culture.

This event brings together creatives, innovators, entrepreneurs, cultural organisations, and policymakers to highlight what European collaborations make possible and collectively imagine what must come next. Join us, as only together can we imagine how to strengthen European resilience!

On May 8th, the day will start with a joint opening and then split into two parallel programs: Europe Day 2026 and the Satellite BEYOND, organised by Kunsten '92. We finish with a joint closing and networking drinks.

• Democratic media and journalism
• European sentiment and cultural cohesion
• Innovation and responsible technology
• Fashion, textiles, and circularity
• Scaling Europe’s Creative and Cultural Industries

Europe Day is meant to be a celebration of unity, culture, and connection – a moment to rethink, gather, and celebrate what makes Europe home.

Admission to this event is free.

12:30 - 13:00 | Walk-in
13:00 - 13:15 | Opening
13:15 - 14:00 | How Does Culture Make Us Care?
14:00 - 14:45 | Traceability and the Future of European Fashion
14:45 - 15:00 | Break
15:00 - 15:45 | Culture as Critical Infrastructure in Action
15:45 - 16:30 | Democratic Fitness
16:30 - 17:15 | Digital Sovereignty in Europe's Media Landscape
17:15 - 18:00 | Scaling Europe's Creative Future
18:00 - 18:30 | Closing & Networking

Date: Friday 8 May
Time: 12:00 - 18:00
Location: Pakhuis de Zwijger, Piet Heinkade 179, 1019 HC Amsterdam
Language: English
Tickets: Free