EU Ambassador to Serbia Vincent Degert opened Sunday the celebration of May 9, Europe Day, which also coincides with Victory Day, marking the end of World War Two.

Europe Day is symolic for all of us, said Degert, announcing a rich programme of sporting, cultural and entertainment events outdoors and at the Dom Omladine cultural centre. The celebration is held under the slogan Europe Open.

Degert is scheduled to open an exhibition at Dom Omladine later in the day, which is entitled How I recognise Europe in Serbia. The ambassador and Serbian government officials will award the winners of a multimedia competition, also entitled How I recognize Europe in Serbia, and those who proved best at reporting about Serbia's EU intergation in 2010.

The sporting events will include football and volleyball tournaments between Belgrade primary schools. An artillery salute will be fired from the Belgrade fortress on Sunday evening, ahead of the national holiday.

Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic will host a reception at the parliament on Monday, while Degert will open a photo exhibition about the people and cultures of Southeastern Europe.

Victory Day will be celebrated through educational activities in primary and secondary schools and various ceremonies at World War Two memorials throughout the country.