75 years since the Charlemagne Prize was awarded to Richard Count Coudenhove-Kalergi

Richard Count Coudenhove-Kalergi (1894-1972), founder of the "Pan-European Union" and pioneer of a united Europe, not only captivated his fellow human beings; he also captivated historians. The early biographical accounts - often written by supporters of the pan-European idea - often painted an idealized picture of his person. Here Coudenhove-Kalergi appeared as a visionary whose ideas had not been sufficiently received and emphasized. With the passage of time and in the context of an intensified examination of European integration in terms of cultural history and the history of ideas, Coudenhove-Kalergi once again became the focus of historical analysis. This will be continued in the symposium. The international speakers will take a critical look at Coudenhove-Kalergi's biography and work and refer to as yet unknown facets of his life with new sources. In this way, a nuanced picture will emerge that will differentiate his role in the European unification movement and shed light on the first recipient of the International Charlemagne Prize (1950).

Admission: free