Vita gazette – Today is the birthday of the European Union (EU). The idea of ​​the EU dates back to Dante, a political thinker, poet, writer, and father of the Italian language whose works have inspired many works of art. Congratulations! Long live corporate values ​​.

Today, 9 May, is Europe Day. The date recalls the day in 1950 when Robert Schuman presented the economic cooperation plan conceived by Jean Monnet and set out in the Schuman Declaration, which marked the beginning of the European integration process with the aim of a future federal union. So on May 9May 9, 1985, on the occasion of the summit held in Milan, the European Economic Community chose to adopt this date as “Europe Day” in memory of Schuman’s proposal for the creation of the European economic nucleus, starting from the sharing of coal and steel reserves, which was the first step towards the European Union, considered “indispensable” to maintaining peace.

On May 9May 9, 1950, at the Quai d’Orsay in Paris, the seat of the French Foreign Ministry, Community Europe was born. That day, the press was called at 6 p.m., waiting for a communication to mark history. “World peace could not be safeguarded without creative initiatives at the height of the dangers that threaten us”, read the first lines of the declaration drawn up by the French Foreign Minister Schuman and his adviser Monnet. “By pooling certain basic productions and establishing a new High Authority whose decisions will be binding on France, Germany and the countries that join them, the first concrete foundations of a European federation indispensable for safeguarding peace will be created”. It was the first proposal to create a supranational European institution to be entrusted with the management of raw materials, which at the time were the prerequisite of any military power – coal and steel – which would lead to the birth of the European Union over the decades.

Beethoven’s European anthem

Today, together with the waving flags of the European Union, the European Anthem, one of the symbols of the union, is played everywhere. Okay, but why? “Hymn to Joy” is part of the 9th Symphony, which he composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven in 1823, on the poem “A die Freude” written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785. In this poem, Schiller included the human race’s idea of living in an environment of brotherhood. Having similar thoughts, Beethoven wrote the section “Ode to Joy” inspired by Schiller. The European Anthem, adapted from the last part of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, was adopted by the Council of Europe in 1972. Herbert von Karajan, one of the most important conductors of this century, did not violate the Council’s request of Europe and has written three instrumental arrangements for solo piano, woodwinds and symphonic orchestras. There is no lyrical (written) expression in the European anthem. However, using the universal language of music, messages about freedom, peace and solidarity, which are the EU’s priorities, are conveyed.

In 1985, the European anthem was adopted by the EU heads of state and government as the union’s official anthem. It should not be forgotten that the European anthem does not aim to replace the national anthems of the member countries but to celebrate shared common values ​​and the success of being united in differences.

End of the Second World War

The date also coincides with the day that officially marks the end of the Second World War: May 9May 9, 1945, is the day following the Nazi surrender to the Soviets after Hermann Göring and Vidkun Quisling were captured. The end of the war and the definitive fall of Nazi fascism were celebrated in the USSR and are still remembered today in Russia on May 9May 9. In many Western countries, it is celebrated on May 8May 8. From 1964 to 1985, the Council of Europe celebrated May 5May 5 as “Europe Day” to commemorate its foundation on May 5May 5, 1949.

The Conference on the Future of Europe

This May, the Union institutions open their doors to a wide range of online and face-to-face activities in all Member States, as well as in the headquarters of the Union institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg. From May 7May 7, it is possible to visit the European Parliament in its Brussels and Strasbourg offices for exceptional visits, debates, interactive presentations and games. A classical music concert will be held in the Citizens’ Garden in Brussels to celebrate the festival. Europe Day 2022 is dedicated to the Conference on the Future of Europe: you can participate in the debate by streaming your questions directly to the members of the European Parliament. This year, the open day of the European Council and the Council of the European Union took place on May 7May 7 at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels; the Council and the 27 member states set up dedicated stands, interactive games and information content to explore. It is possible to take a guided tour of the Palace of Europe, the main seat of the European Council and the Council of the EU. Also, in Brussels, on May 7May 7, it was possible to visit the headquarters of the European Commission, the Berlaymont building.