Europe Sings Together

At a time marked by geopolitical uncertainty and internal tensions, European cohesion is more important than ever. Culture plays a vital role in strengthening a sense of community by fostering understanding, dialogue, and connections across borders – and this formed the basis of the cultural programme developed in connection with Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the second half of 2025, Danish Cultural Institute joined forces with Kulturmødet Mors, Ungdomsbureauet, Ung Kult, and Grundtvigsk Forum to deliver the cultural programme for Denmark’s EU Presidency, with support from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The programme focused on strengthening the European community and creating opportunities for citizens, artists, and young people from across Europe to come together.

At the Cultural Summit in Denmark, Danish Cultural Institute helped develop and deliver a series of events exploring the role of culture in a European context. Through discussions, literature, and artistic contributions, topics such as cultural resilience and Europe’s current challenges were brought into focus.

The programme also included activities that invited audiences to take part directly. Community singing based on The EU Songbook and the photo exhibition “We Are Europe” by Belgian photographer Lieve Blancquaert helped make the idea of a shared European community tangible and relevant to audiences.

The cultural programme concluded with the event “Europe Sings Together” at Copenhagen City Hall. Around 1,000 people joined in singing songs from Estonia, Latvia, France, Belgium, Ukraine, and Denmark, transforming the City Hall for an evening into one large European choir.

Partners

The event was organised by Danish Cultural Institute in partnership with Grundtvigsk Forum and Kulturmødet Mors, and in collaboration with the City of Copenhagen. It brought together artists, ambassadors, and members of the public. Contributors included the Danish National Junior Choir, author Suzanne Brøgger, correspondent Matilde Kimer, musician Carl Emil Petersen, and the Ukrainian choir Endangered Songs. Together with hosts Ane Cortzen and Mathias Hammer, they helped create a memorable finale in which song fostered a sense of connection across languages and nationalities.

Photo: Rasmus Romulus Palludan