On 1 May 2024, Estonia celebrated 20 years as a member of the European Union and NATO. Estonia became a member of the EU in 2004 after six years of accession negotiations. Together with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus joined the EU. Becoming members of the EU and NATO has given us confidence that we will never be alone again.
Estonia’s journey in the EU is celebrated throughout 2024 with various projects and events, including Europe Day celebrations on 9 May.
The Shiftworks team had the honour and pleasure of organising Europe Day in Narva at the request of the European Commission Representation in Estonia. On 9 May, a free public concert was held on the Narva Town Hall Square, where beloved singers Uku Suviste and Narva-born Alika performed with the Narva Symphony Orchestra and Smilers, one of Estonia’s most popular groups also rocked the stage. Additionally, interludes were performed by the youth orchestra of Kohtla-Järve Gymnasium and the folk-rock band KRATT, also from Kohtla-Järve.
The opening addresses were given by President Alar Karis, Mayor of Narva Jaan Toots and Swedish ambassador-designate in Estonia, Ingrid Tersman. The event’s host was Yevgeni Timostsuk, and young DJ Työmik Bassofsky selected music for intermissions between the live performances.
The European info tent was also open for all during the event, introducing the activities of the following institutions: Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, The State Shared Service Centre. European Commission Representation in Estonia, European Parliament Office in Estonia, Europe Direct’s Narva info centre, Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Agency, the Estonian National Library, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Estonia, Embassy of Sweden in Tallinn, Estonia. Integration Foundation, German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, about 3,500 people attended the event.
The areas of responsibility of the Shiftworks team in the project:
- Creative concept of the event programme
- Agreements with performers, ordering arrangements for the Narva Symphony Orchestra
- The creative concept, design, area plan and interior design of the event area and the European Tent
- Agreements with service providers
- Ensuring security and maintenance service
- Obtaining a public event permit
- Project management and implementation
The main organiser of the event: European Commission Representation in Estonia
The main organiser of the European Tent: European Parliament Representation in Estonia
Organising partner: Shiftworks
Stage and technical implementation: Soundhouse
Security provider: Team Security
Caterers: Café Muna, Valge Kõrvits
Area interior designer: Ott Kangur
Client’s commentary, assessment of the cooperation:
Helin Sööt, Communications Adviser at the European Commission’s Representation in Estonia:
“Shiftworks assisted the EC’s Representation in Estonia in organizing Europe Day celebrations in Narva in 2024. Shiftworks’ extensive experience ensured that our concert proceeded smoothly and according to plan, and on the day of the event, we knew we were in safe hands. Any last-minute issues were swiftly and creatively resolved as if they were minor inconveniences. Thanks to Shiftworks’ wide network of collaborators in Narva, we could be confident that we were involving the right local people in the organization and better reaching our target audience.”
Full photo gallery on Shiftworks’ Flickr. (Photographer: Marko Mumm)
