40 Years of Charlemagne Prize

For a strong Europe

The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen has been awarded annually since 1950 to individuals or institutions for their outstanding services to the promotion of European unity and cooperation between the peoples of Europe. Named after Charlemagne, it is considered one of the most important awards in relation to European commitment and understanding.

40 years ago, on 8 May 1986, the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen was awarded in a particularly special way: instead of giving the award to an individual, it was presented to an entire people the people of Luxembourg. This decision was taken by the Board of Directors of the Charlemagne Prize in recognition of Luxembourg’s extraordinary contribution to European unity an ideal that enjoys broad cross-generational support within the Grand Duchy.

As one of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg has played a major role in the integration process from the outset. It was a founding member of the European Communities and developed into a central location for European institutions. The close interweaving of national identity and European attitudes had a formative influence: not just on politics and the economy, but also the everyday life of a population living in a multicultural country situated in the heart of Europe. The Charlemagne Prize, which was accepted on behalf of the Luxembourg people by the then Grand Duke Jean, thus recognised not only the actions of the state, but also the active contribution of an entire people towards a united Europe.