Reus hosts an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of EU accession

The exhibition promoted by Catalonia International can be visited at the Pere Anguera Library until the end of May

On 1 January 1986, the third enlargement of the European Union took place, with the accession of Spain and Portugal. Catalonia, with its deeply rooted pro-European tradition, strongly supported accession. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this milestone, Catalunya Internacional has adapted, expanded and turned into a travelling exhibition "Europe, Our Common Space", originally created some time ago by the Barcelona Provincial Council.

After initially being displayed at the Port of Tarragona, the exhibition can now be visited until the end of May at the Pere Anguera Library (Carrer de Joan-Salvat Papasseit 14) in Reus. The opening event, which took place yesterday, included the participation of Sandra Guaita Esteruelas, Mayor of Reus; Laura Foraster i Lloret, Director-General of Catalonia International; and Josep Baiges, Second Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Economic Promotion, Innovation and Knowledge at Reus City Council. Also attending the event werre Carlota Rosés Montesinos, Deputy Director General for Support to the Internationalisation of Local Governments at the Ministry for European Union and Foreign Action, and Marta Domènech Virgili, head of the Europe Direct Tarragona centre.

The exhibition aims to highlight the importance of the European Union's work and values, particularly at local level, since this is often where European policies are implemented and have a direct impact. It is estimated that 70% of European legislation ultimately has repercussions at local level. Visitors can discover what it means to be part of the European Union and how to feel involved in it, through direct messages aimed especially at younger audiences. They can also see through concrete examples how EU membership helps guarantee freedoms and quality of life.

Divided into an introductory section, five main areas (More Connected; More Empowered; More Sustainable; More Social; and More Supportive) and a concluding section, the exhibition has an interactive format and includes activities designed to encourage public participation. Each of the five main sections includes an example of a European project carried out by a municipality in Catalonia, as well as an interactive panel and a game.

After Reus, the exhibition "Europe, Our Common Space" will be on display in Girona from 1 June to 31 July, and in Lleida from 15 September onwards. It is also scheduled to travel to the Val d'Aran and to any other towns interested in hosting it.

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A travelling exhibition commemorates the 40th anniversary of Catalonia's accession to the EU