The European capital of local democracy - hosted the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Europe Prize. They included an international conference organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a special ceremony at the City Hall, honouring European cities' commitment to democracy, peace and human rights.
Under the theme "Democracy on Trial: How Cities Carry Hope for European Values," participants explored the vital role cities play as guardians of European unity and democratic ideals. It was opened by the Mayor of Donostia/San Sebastián, Eneko Goia; the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Despina Chatzivassiliou; the Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge; and the Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Koukas Konstantinos.
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge congratulated Gaziantep, the 2025 Europe Prize winner, alongside finalists Augsburg, Münster, Birštonas, Płońsk, and Vinnytsia. "As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Europe Prize here in beautiful San Sebastian and look ahead to future laureates of the Europe Prize, let us remember: local democracy is our first line of defence - the health of democracy begins locally in our cities."
Opening the event, Donostia/San Sebastián Mayor Eneko Goia highlighted the critical role of cities in 2025: "Cities are on the front line of promoting and defending European values. In the face of centrifugal forces and opposed to convergence and the strengthening of the European identity as we have known it in the last 70 years, cities play a key role in defending those positions against those who are seeking to destroy the community project", he explained.
The Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Despina Chatzivassiliou, pointed out that "the Europe Prize, created by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 1955, has for 70 years rewarded the efforts of municipalities to advance the ideal of European unity. As we celebrate this anniversary, I want to recall that this prize is not only an honorific distinction. It epitomises the sincere and lasting commitment to European construction of the cities, which are the first places where many of our citizens exercise democracy".
