The aroma of cookies, croissant, and pizza, the sound of lively music, balloons floating in the breeze, and the bright colors of Europe—the open space at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) was buzzing with energy as thousands gathered for the annual EuroVillage festival 2025 on February 15 afternoon.
Organized by the European Union (EU) and its member states, the event turned the venue into a celebration of European culture.
The air buzzed with excitement, as residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi eagerly wandered through stalls adorned with the flags and flavors of Europe. The tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared food wafted through the crowd. “It’s incredible to see so many cultures come together in one place,” said one visitor, smiling as they sampled a slice of French bread and cheese. “The taste of Europe is right here in Islamabad! I’ve never had such delicious cheese before,” Syma Karim added.
A blend of lively music and vibrant conversations echoed, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated both European culture and the growing partnership between the EU and Pakistan.
Celebration of EU-Pakistan friendship
In her opening remarks, the EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Riina Kionka, emphasized the importance of mutual ties, stating, “We celebrate the diverse cultures and identities that enrich Europe, forming the foundation of our shared values and our relations with the world, including Pakistan. Together, we are stronger, and our partnership in development, trade, and political engagement reflects this commitment.”
One of the highlights of the festival was the showcasing of development cooperation projects. Booths set up by the EU and its member states told personal stories of Pakistani communities positively impacted by EU initiatives. Visitors spoke with beneficiaries who shared how educational programs, healthcare projects, and infrastructural support have transformed lives.
The collaborative message was reinforced as Dr. Kionka further expressed, “Our partnership goes beyond just trade; it touches lives, helps communities thrive, and fosters deep-rooted friendships.”
A Taste of Europe: French croissant, Austrian cookies and more
The event’s diversity was showcased through each embassy’s unique representation of their culture. The French pavilion, brimming with the rich scent of freshly baked croissants, offered a taste of French hospitality. Ambassador of France, Nicolas Galey, said, “EuroVillage is an event that celebrates Europe in its diversity. It is also a popular festival and a meeting with our Pakistani friends. The French stand is happy to share iconic products with Pakistanis, such as cheese or croissants!”
Visitors to the Austrian pavilion were treated to mouth-watering Austrian culinary delights. The iconic Apfel Strudel, traditional Austrian cookies and savory goulash left many asking for more, while the neighboring stand added a fun twist with Red Bull mocktails.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Europe right here in Islamabad, from the food to the music—everything is just amazing!” said Haaris Usman, who came with his family to enjoy the diverse cultural displays and delicious European treats. “We’re having a wonderful time exploring all the different stalls,” he added.
Games and quizzes
Attendees savored the flavors of iconic European dishes, while participating in games that brought people closer, both in culture and camaraderie.
The German stall captured the playful side of the event with a thrilling football wall game. Enthusiastic youngsters lined up to test their skills, cheering each other on as they tried to score through the wall’s goal holes. The energy was contagious, with everyone eager to participate in the friendly competition.
Other stalls from Austria, Poland, and Greece included quizzes, where correct answers were rewarded with delectable sweets. One of the stalls included traditional wooden bowling game, which had both young and old competing for fun prizes. The festival was a sensory celebration, where the taste of European food mingled with the sounds of laughter and music, creating lasting memories for all.
Music and memories
The sixth edition of EuroVillage offered a sensory journey, from the visual feast of colorful European pavilions to the sound of upbeat live performances from both European and Pakistani artists.
The celebration also featured live performances, including a special appearance by Pakistani artist Farhan Saeed, which left the crowd cheering for more. Music played a vital role, uniting the audience with a shared joy of rhythm and melody, representing the harmonious bond between Pakistan and the EU.
EuroVillage 2025 was more than just a cultural festival; it was a celebration of the growing friendship between Europe and Pakistan. The event not only showcased the rich diversity of European culture but also reinforced the belief that the EU and Pakistan, united in their partnership, are indeed “Stronger Together.”
Visitors call for better management and a bigger venue for EuroVillage 2026
EuroVillage 2025 was the talk of the town, and the turnout was amazing yet many visitors highlighted the need for improved management and a larger venue in future to make the experience more comfortable for all.
Despite the lively atmosphere, some attendees experienced challenges with entry, parking, and crowd congestion. Siqqida Khan, a visitor, told Islamabad Scene: “It was so crowded I could only visit two stalls. There was so many people in front of every stall that I couldn’t even get to the front despite waiting for a long time.”
Fatima Khalid, who came all the way from Rawalpindi with her family, was sad that she couldn’t even enter the venue. “I really wanted to attend EuroVillage but unfortunately couldn’t enter as the entry was closed at 4 PM. The event seemed so fun. I could hear the sound of chatter and music but sadly could not be a part of it.” She added: “The management could have been better. The lack of proper entry facilitation and restricted parking caused additional inconvenience.” Many others echoed similar concerns regarding event management, particularly regarding entry facilitation.
Some visitors also suggested improvements such as extending the event hours, with a potential new schedule of 10 AM to 6 PM, and even proposed making the event a two-day event, ideally on a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) to accommodate more attendees.
Highlights from EuroVillage 2025
The EuroVillage festival was co-organized by the diplomatic missions of the European Union (EU) alongside those of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and Spain.
The embassies of various EU member states shared their exciting experiences and highlights from the EuroVillage festival. Here are some of the best moments from the event:
🇫🇷 French Embassy’s Culinary Delights — The aroma of freshly baked croissants fills the air at the French pavilion, celebrating iconic French food.
🇪🇺 🇫🇷 🇵🇰 The French stand happy to exchange with Pakistanis the possibilities of learning French and studying in #France! Longlive friendship between #Pakistan and the #EU‼️#EurovillagePK #TeamEurope #StrongerTogether @RKionka @EUPakistan https://t.co/gdtS3zZgX9 pic.twitter.com/RZrz0RXojY
— France in Pakistan 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinPak) February 15, 2025
🇩🇪 German Embassy’s Football Fun — The German stall brought a fun Football Wall game for the fans.
🇦🇹 Austrian Embassy’s Sweet Treats — Visitors at the Austrian pavilion enjoyed the taste of Austria in Islamabad.
🇸🇪 Swedish Embassy’s Fika Moment — Team Sweden came all prepared with iconic ABBA, the legendary Pippi Longstocking, and of course, delicious cinnamon buns.
🇧🇬 Bulgarian Embassy’s Cultural Showcase — Bulgaria’s colors, culture and rich history on display at EuroVillage.
🇩🇰 Danish Treats and Green Solutions — Denmark Embassy kiosk offered delicious Danish treats, green solutions through VR goggles and traditional Danish game kimsleg.
🇷🇴 Romanian Embassy’s Cultural Experience — The embassy brought the heart of Romania to Islamabad! with traditional Romanian crafts, delicious food, and music.
🇵🇱 Polish Embassy’s Vibrant Theme — From fun games to quizzes, Poland’s vibrant culture was on full display at the Polish pavilion.