European Union Celebrates 50 Years of Partnership with Zambia During Europe Month
Festival of European Cultures showcases cinema, exhibitions, sport, and shared values in Lusaka and Livingstone
August 25th, 2025
Zambian audiences enjoyed a vibrant celebration of European culture during Europe Month, with events running from April 30 to May 31, 2025. Organized by the European Union Delegation to Zambia in collaboration with multiple embassies and cultural institutions — including the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic, as well as the Alliance Française Lusaka, the Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre, and the Livingstone Museum — the festival marked 50 years of EU-Zambia partnership. Entrance to all events was free.
A central highlight of the festivities was the exhibition “Thread of Change”, which illustrated half a century of EU-Zambia collaboration in governance, economic development, and social progress. Parts of the exhibition were symbolically presented during Europe Day on May 8 and officially launched to the public on May 31. Ambassador Karolina Stasiak emphasized the EU as a reliable partner, praising Zambia as a key ally in Africa and highlighting the importance of cultural and people-to-people connections. Hon. Brenda Tambatamba, Minister of Labour and Social Security, attended the Europe Day reception as guest of honor.
Europe Month offered a rich cultural programme, featuring European cinema that drew strong audiences across Lusaka. Films included the French drama Timbuktu, the Swedish biopic Becoming Astrid, the Irish film Mrs. Robinson, Germany’s Run Lola Run, the Czech film Women on the Run, and Finland’s Long Good Friday. The festival also included a Czech Embassy exhibition on 19th-century explorer Dr. Emil Holub, an Italian theatre production, Tainted Love, and the EU Walk and Run event in Lusaka on May 17, which brought together over 1,000 participants to celebrate community, wellness, and the EU-Zambia friendship. Public lectures and radio programmes further promoted cultural dialogue and European heritage throughout the month.
The festival not only entertained audiences, but also deepened understanding of Europe’s cultural diversity, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the European Union and Zambia. With plans for the exhibition and related initiatives to rotate to other public spaces, the EU continues to use cultural storytelling to engage the public and foster inclusivity.
References
- https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/zambia/europe-month-zambia-commemorates-50-years-eu-zambia-partnership_en
- https://www.facebook.com/EUinZambia/photos/festival-of-european-cultures-is-back-may-is-the-europe-month-and-we-are-bringin/982997587345015/?_rdr
