The exhibition “Living Without Leaving? The Perspective of Adriatic-Ionian Young Artists” offers a vibrant cultural lens on the dilemmas confronting young people throughout the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Featuring artists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia, the show presents deeply personal yet widely relatable reflections. Through paintings, photographs, and mixed-media works, these creators explore the pressing question of whether to remain in their home countries or seek opportunities abroad. Their pieces capture themes of perseverance, longing, and creativity, turning individual struggles into a collective European narrative. Each artwork expresses a tension between “roots and routes”: the pull of home, the pressures of economic reality, the hope for a better future, and the desire to stay connected to one’s origins.
Many of these works have already been displayed at prominent international gatherings, including the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy Annual Forum in Crete and cultural events in Montenegro and Albania. Now, their message arrives in Brussels—the symbolic heart of Europe—where it invites policymakers, locals, and visitors to reflect on the human aspects of cohesion, mobility, and solidarity. The exhibition underscores the cultural dimension of European integration and affirms the EU’s commitment to enabling people to thrive in the places they call home.
The exhibition will take place in Parc Royal, Brussels, between Rue Lambermont and the Monument au Général Belliard, from 15 September to 22 November 2025. The opening ceremony, co-hosted with North Macedonia in its role as holder of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy Presidency, will be held on 25 September at 17:00. EU officials, young artists, and invited guests will attend, followed by a reception and networking event. The exhibition is open to the public and welcomes EU policymakers, Brussels residents, tourists, and participants of the Macro-Regional Strategies Days (24–25 September) and The Week (13–15 October).
This initiative is supported by the European Commission under the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region.
For further details, visit the official website.
