Maison du MédiaLab: New journalists, reporting from Strasbourg, and Ukrainian veterans

1. Selection committee done! Fourth wave of journalists

As summer approaches, so does the arrival of the fourth wave of journalists at the Maison du MédiaLab. The six new Brussels correspondents were selected by the committee composed of Europe MédiaLab and its partner, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Press Association (API-IPA) in late April. Throughout May, they have been getting ready to settle in Brussels. The Maison will host Armenian journalists from Hetq and Factor, a Ukrainian correspondent from Babel, Moldovan reporters from IPN and NordNews, and a Tabula journalist from Georgia. With administrative preparations now underway, we look forward to welcoming them in early July.

2. Maison du MédiaLab Correspondents on the Ground

2.1. Foreign Affairs Council

Several Maison du MédiaLab correspondents attended the May Foreign Affairs Council, where EU foreign ministers discussed Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the Middle East, and the Union’s broader security priorities. Among the key decisions were new sanctions targeting those involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children, an expanded mandate for the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine, and further discussions on support for Ukraine’s European future. Ministers also exchanged views on Gaza, Iran, Syria, and preparations for the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit.

2.2. European Political Community Summit, Yerevan

Maison du MédiaLab correspondents also covered the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, which brought together more than 40 European leaders to discuss security, economic resilience, energy cooperation, and Europe’s response to growing geopolitical challenges. Hosted in the South Caucasus for the first time, the meeting highlighted Armenia’s growing role in European political dialogue. The summit also marked the first participation of a non-European country, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joining discussions.

2.3. Reporting from Strasbourg

In Strasbourg, Carina Muller covered the European Order of Merit ceremony, where the President of the Republic of Moldova was among those honoured. She also reported on the joint press conference between Moldovan President Maia Sandu and the President of the European Parliament, and spoke with Members of the European Parliament about Moldova’s EU accession process and the upcoming opening of the first negotiation cluster.

Following the ceremony, Tetiana Litvinova spoke with Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk after she was honoured as a Member of the inaugural European Order of Merit and asked for her reaction to the distinction.

3. Barbecue with Ukrainian Veterans, organised with Promote Ukraine

Last Sunday, following the 20 km of Brussels, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ukrainian veterans, alongside Finnish and German reservists, to the Maison for an informal afternoon of conversations and connection. We celebrated the end of the race with a well-earned barbecue — a reward fully justified after 20 kilometres. There were stories from the front line, discussions about life in Ukraine, cultural exchanges, and plenty of laughter. Our journalists had the opportunity to interview some of the veterans, whose resilience left a lasting impression.

We also discussed the extraordinary determination of Ukrainian soldiers who, even after life-changing wounds, often wish to return to service to defend their country. When the question arose of what might one day replace that powerful sense of mission once the war is over, the answer came without hesitation: rebuilding Ukraine. A reminder that the same commitment that sustains a nation in wartime may also help shape its recovery in peace.

4. When Violins Sang Like Birds

On May 22, Maison du MédiaLab welcomed the Advahov Family to Brussels. Organised in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute, the concert brought together diplomats, journalists, and friends of MédiaLab around a shared Romanian and Moldovan heritage.

The evening was led by accordionist Vitalie Advahov, internationally renowned for bringing Moldovan folk and classical music to stages across Europe, alongside pianist Diana Advahov and their children, violinists Cătălin and Ana-Maria Advahov — already celebrated in Vienna for their remarkable talent from a very young age.

The Advahovs revisited works by emblematic Romanian and Moldovan composers including Ciprian Porumbescu, George Enescu, Eugen Doga and Grigoraș Dinicu.

In one of the night’s most unforgettable moments, the Advahovs filled the room with violins that trilled and answered one another like singing birds — an enchanting, breathtaking display of skill.

The ambiance they created stayed with us long into the reception. One expression from Moldova felt especially fitting to leave with: voie bună — the warmth, joy and togetherness born from music and shared moments.

At Maison du MédiaLab, where journalists from Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia live together and report from Brussels throughout the year, it felt like a fitting expression to carry forward.