Honorary patronage
20 years of Poland in the European Union
On the first of May 2004, Poland officially joined the ranks of the member states of the European Union. At the same moment, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary also gained EU membership status, marking the largest expansion of the Union in its history. The main celebrations took place in Dublin, where Ireland was holding the EU presidency for six months. During the ceremony in front of Irish President Mary McAleese’s residence, to the rhythm of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” flags of the twenty-five Union countries were hoisted on the masts.
The realization of Polish aspirations for reintegration with the free world and the definitive end of the continent’s division into antagonistic ideological and political blocs was achieved at that time. However, Poland’s path to freedom began much earlier. The awareness of historical belonging to Europe was always present among Poles, which did not allow them to accept the existence of the “Iron Curtain.” The emergence of the “Solidarity” movement, being a catalyst for changes in Central and Eastern Europe, symbolized not only resistance to restrictions on economic and political freedom but also a protest against the European division.
Virtual Bike Race
This year marks exactly 20 years since that historic event, which inspired us to organize a virtual bike race. Wanting to symbolically promote the idea of the European community, we connect Brussels and Strasbourg, the heart of the European Union, with Warsaw and nine other capitals that joined the European Union with Poland.
Route of the virtual race:
The length of the route is approximately 12,500 kilometers. The team collects kilometers to a common pool during individual cycling in the terrain. The rally will last three months, from 15 April to 15 July 2024.
Brussels, Belgium ➡️ Strasbourg, France ➡️ Valletta, Malta ➡️ Nicosia, Cyprus ➡️ Ljubljana, Slovenia ➡️ Budapest, Hungary ➡️ Bratislava, Slovakia ➡️ Prague, Czech Republic ➡️ Warsaw, Poland ➡️ Vilnius, Lithuania ➡️ Riga, Latvia ➡️ Tallinn, Estonia ➡️ Luxembourg, Luxembourg ➡️ Brussels, Belgium 🏁
