On Olympic Day, 23 June 2023, the European Olympic Academies, together with the Slovenian Olympic Academy and the EYOF Maribor Organising Committee, officially unveiled the EYOF country posters at the Market Square in Maribor. The posters feature information on tourism, culture and Olympic events and achievements of the 48 participating nations. The data was compiled in collaboration with the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the 48 National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Maribor is hosting city for the upcoming edition of the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in late July, and the city centre is already fully decorated with pennants and banners. Since 23 June, the street “Ulica škofa Maksimilijana Držečnika” has been home to country posters on the 48 participating nations that have already attracted a lot of attention from pedestrians passing by.
“The posters are a chance to combine culture with sport and to introduce each other’s countries to the young athletes coming to Maribor for the EYOF,” said EOA Executive Director Soenke Schadwinkel. Together with Katrin Wallmann, Olympic Education Manager, they represented the EOA at the official unveiling ceremony.
Dr. Maja Zalaznik explains the value of the posters at the EYOF Maribor. 
Ales Solar (Slovenian Olympic Academy) at the Unveiling Ceremony. 
Local choreographers perform the Official Dance for the EYOF Maribor. 
The Mayor of the City of Maribor, Sasa Arsenovic, takes a look on the posters together with Slovenian Olympic Academy`s Miroslav Cerar. 
The Mayor of the City of Maribor, Aleksander Sasa Arsenovic, welcomed the audience, followed by the General Secretary of the NOC of Slovenia, Blaz Perko. The Olympic Anthem was played to celebrate the Anniversary of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Dr. Maja Zalaznik, Ales Solar and Soenke Schadwinkel spoke a few words about the importance of connecting culture and the transmission of values through a sporting event like the EYOF. Afterwards, young Slovenian choreographers performed the official dance of the EYOF Maribor. The event was followed by a tour through the Fashion and Sports Temporary Exhibition organised by the Maribor Regional Museum under the direction of Dr. Mirjana Koren.
The posters will be up for display until the end of the Festival so that athletes, as well as spectators and volunteers, have the opportunity to find out more about the countries and get a glimpse into the rich diversity of European countries.
The project is a cooperation between the Slovenian Olympic Academy, the EOA and EOC. Numerous NOCs participated and contributed to the creation by providing photos and data. The posters can also be viewed digitally on the EOA website.
