Annual Recognition Ceremony - Award Presented to Ursula von der Leyen in the 75th Edition - Seventy-five years of the Karl Prize ceremony, bestowed upon European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Aachen to Honor Ursula von der Leyen with Charlemagne Prize in 2025
Aachen, Germany, will host the International Charlemagne Prize ceremony next year, honoring EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a significant voice of Europe. The 66-year-old CDU politician will receive the prestigious award on Ascension Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the prize.
King Felipe VI of Spain and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) will deliver speeches at the event, celebrating von der Leyen's leadership in navigating the EU through transformation. The ceremony will take place in Aachen's historic town hall, built on the foundations of the medieval residence of Charlemagne, the namesake of the award.
Von der Leyen will address a gathering of 750 guests following the award ceremony. The festivities are set to take place in central Aachen, utilizing sites with connections to Charlemagne, such as the coronation hall and the nearby cathedral he built.
Aachen's proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands underscores the city's commitment to transnational cooperation. The day before the ceremony, von der Leyen will engage with students at RWTH Aachen University. After the event, she will appear with former laureates on a stage at the town hall.
Recent laureates include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, Belarusian human rights activists Swetlana Tichanowskaja, and Pinchas Goldschmidt, the President of the European Rabbinical Conference.
Originally awarded in 1950, the Charlemagne Prize is the oldest and most prestigious recognition for individuals or institutions contributing to European unity and integration. It has become a symbol of European identity and acts as a platform for discussions on pressing European issues.
Von der Leyen's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinate a united front against Russia, and drive the EU's Green Deal are key factors in her selection for the award. The prize is intended to support her in her future endeavors.
The Charlemagne Prize carries significant historical significance, commemorating Charlemagne's establishment of Aachen as the center of his empire and emphasizing the post-War aims of fostering reconciliation and unity across Europe. The award accolades various European and international leaders who have shaped the continent's modern history. Notable past recipients include Winston Churchill, Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, Henry Kissinger, and Angela Merkel.
- The community could come together to organize aid for the development of less favored regions, aligning with Ursula von der Leyen's commitment to Europe as she receives the Charlemagne Prize.
- As Ursula von der Leyen navigates the EU through transformation, one might consider adopting lifestyle choices that reflect her leadership, perhaps influencing the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, or cars sectors.
- During the festivities in Aachen, pets could be an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the human-animal bond and further emphasizing the unity among the gathered European nations.
- Following the ceremony, Ursula von der Leyen might inspire relationship dynamics within the EU, evoking travel and a greater appreciation for understanding different cultures with a focus on understanding and forming connections, as her efforts aim to unite the region.
- In the spirit of the Charlemagne Prize, one could consider engaging in shopping activities that align with the award's historical significance and embody European unity, such as visiting local businesses, artisan markets, or supporting regional producers in the travel destinations they plan to visit.
