NORFOLK, VA – NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Virginia Arts Festival will host the 70th Norfolk NATO Festival, celebrating the longest continuously running Festival in the Hampton Roads region, and the only one of its kind in the United States which honours NATO and its member nations.
From April 17th – 22nd, there will be festive celebrations during the Norfolk NATO Festival. The theme for this year is a Salute to NATO Families. The Norfolk NATO Festival is an annual celebration of NATO’s ongoing developments and impacts in the area.
Norfolk is NATO’s home in North America; Allied Command Transformation is thankful and grateful for the local hospitality extended to all staff and families. When stationed here, many NATO members bring their families to live in the Hamptons Roads community, attend school, and be active members of the community. Partnerships between NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Norfolk community have flourished throughout the years, including academic partnerships, community events, and development collaboration. Allied Command Transformation is NATO’s strategic warfare development command, meaning it looks to the future and predicts what training, equipment, education, and technology will be needed to remain the world’s most effective Alliance.
NATO is the world’s largest and most successful political-military Alliance, dating back to 1949. NATO is a defensive Alliance that promotes democratic values, which enable 31 member nations to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, ultimately, prevent conflict. As one of NATO’s two strategic commands, Allied Command Transformation has been located in the United States since its inception in 2003 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary on June 19th, 2023, though celebrations of the anniversary will happen June 7th – 9th.
This year’s festival provides an opportunity to engage with the local community, show unity and strength, while also reaffirming the strong bond of friendship and cooperation that exists between NATO and the Hampton Roads area. Celebrations will include the Festival Flag Raising ceremony, Parade of Nations, International Village, and, as an opening event, the spectacular Virginia International Tattoo! Food, drinks, prizes, and fun for all, with plenty of opportunities for education, pictures, and events! For more information on the activities and events surrounding the Norfolk NATO Festival, check out the Virginia Arts Festival.
Images from previous Norfolk NATO Festivals:
