The European Commission Delegation to Moldova will reward the young talents from Chisinau, Balti and Cahul for their excellence, knowledge and interest for the European Union values in the Republic of Moldova as part of the competitions and cultural activities organized to mark the Europe Day event in Moldova, which is celebrated traditionally on May 9 in most European countries. According to a press release from the Delegation, a series of contests on European topics were launched in over 150 educational establishments from Chisinau, Cahul and Balti with the support of the local Educational Departments. These contests value young people's skills in poetry, essay, drawing, apparel design, and general knowledge about the European Union history and institutions. The organizers say that the Europa Trophies will be awarded during the Europa Awards Gala that will take place at the Mihai Eminescu Theater in Chisinau on May 8. The Gala will also host the "Colors of Europe” Fashion Show contest, a unique event of its kind in Moldova, where all the 27 European Union member states will be represented by a fashion creation by the students of Moldova’s most important apparel design faculties. A painting exhibition will also be hosted at the same venue, where pupils participating in the painting contest under the slogan “A Message for Europe” will exhibit their works. Other cultural events dedicated to the celebration of the Europe Day event are planned to take place in Balti and Cahul, between May 13 and 23, 2008. “We want a closer relation between Moldova and the European Union. For this reason, this year we will again celebrate the Europe Day, on May 8, through different events dedicated to the public, which we hope will become part of the process of strengthening Moldova’s national identity,” said the head of the European Commission Delegation to Moldova, Cesare de Montis. The tradition of celebrating the Europe Day in Moldova was launched last year through a series of sport and artistic contests, as well as other events open to the public of Chisinau It was decided that the Europe Day in Moldova will be observed on May 8 not 9 because on May 9 Moldova marks the Victory Day.