HORST KOEHLER FOR CHARLEMAGNE

[GOV: Aachen, November 3]
The German Federal President, Horst Köhler will give the eulogy for the Charlemagne Prize on December 20 in the Aachen City Hall. This is the 60th anniversary of the Charlemagne Prize and, in the speech, Dr Köhler will look back at its beginning in 1949.

The International Charlemagne Prize was instituted at the initiative of the citizens of Aachen and the textile merchant Dr Kurt Pfeiffer, and was introduced at Christmas 1949. Over the last 60 years it has become the most famous prize for leading Europeans and the character of the winners have added to its distinction. The prizewinners reflect the history of the process of European unification. In consequence, the Coronation Hall in Aachen’s City Hall has become a center from which important messages and ideas for a unified Europe have been transmitted.

This year there will be a review of the history of the prize with which the federal president, Horst Köhler, has been intimately associated for many years. Together with other European leaders, he is the patron of the foundation that was instituted in 1997, known as: The International Charlemagne Prize Trust in Aachen.

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