Brussels – From the Colosseum to Castello Sforzesco, from Castel dell’Ovo to the Theater of Syracuse. There are 60 monuments across the Italian peninsula that, on May 9, Europe Day, between yesterday and today, are illuminated with the colours of the European flag, twelve yellow stars on a blue field. An initiative of the European Parliament within the
“Use Your Vote” campaign. to raise awareness among citizens of all 27 Union member countries ahead of the elections next June 6-9.
Twelve regions, 49 cities and towns—from the metropolis of Milan to the small town of Castel d’Azzano in the province of Verona—have decided to join an event lighting up the more emblematic monuments throughout Europe. In Italy, in addition to those already mentioned, the Mole Antonelliana in Turin, Santa Maria Novella in Florence, the Arch of Peace in Milan, the Reggia di Venaria, Palazzo del Podestà in Bologna, the archaeological site of Pompei, Palazzo del Seggio in Lecce and the Archaeological Park of Agrigento.
In parallel, the European Parliament and the EU Commission’s representation in Italy will organize the Event “Lights of Europe” in Rome, based on music and images to raise awareness of the June vote. It will begin at 7 p.m. with greetings from the mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, followed by several artists taking the stage. There will also be a video screening entitled Use Your Vote, which collects the testimonies on democracy of some senior citizens from different member countries, to pass them on to new generations and make clear how this right cannot be taken for granted.
Here is an interactive map of all the monuments that will be illuminated in the colours of the European Union flag in Italy:
English version by the Translation Service of Withub