Comment: May 9 - Europe Day and Victory Day, same date but two strikingly different celebrations

Romania Insider journalist Radu Dumitrescu looks into the historic symbolism of May 9 - a celebration of democracy for most of Europe and a display of authoritarian power for Russia. This year, the difference between the two celebrations is more striking than ever. But Romania also has its own celebration on May 9, one in which Russia also played a role.

For countries of the European Union, including Romania, May 9 is Europe Day, a celebration of the birth of the European Union, while for Russia and other former Soviet republics, the same date marks Victory Day, highlighting Russia’s defeat of Nazism.