Council of Europe Flag of Honour

Gdynia received the Council of Europe Flag of Honour in 1996. The Flag is granted to city boards or other local authorities for promotion of the European idea. Against the blue sky 12 golden stars form a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is invariable, 12 being the symbol of perfection. The European Flag has been an official symbol of European Union since May 1986.


Celebration of presenting the City of Gdynia with the Flag of Honour was held on 15th September 1996. Mrs Kerstin Ekman - Honorary Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, presented the Flag to Mayor of Gdynia. The representatives of state, regional, neighbouring cites and municipalities authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corpse, Navy Command as well as delegations of Gdynia's sister cities participated in the ceremony.

Except the ceremony, concert and fireworks show for the citizens of Gdynia were organised. On the occasion the exhibition dedicated to Gdynia and its foreign partners was showed in Museum of the City of Gdynia. On awarding Gdynia the Council of Europe Flag of Honour, it is displayed on the City Hall building during various city celebrations.