Around 50 events with a number of prominent guests, very different European topics ranging from politics, history and entertainment, events for "young and old" - the supporting program for this year's Charlemagne Prize has numerous highlights. From 14 April to 14 May 2026, the diverse formats will focus on this year's laureate Prof. Dr. Mario Draghi, his home country Italy and the future of the EU. Highlights include a concert by 2018 ESC fourth-placed Michael Schulte (13.5.), panel discussions with Wolfgang Ischinger, who chaired the Munich Security Conference for many years (22.4.), and a prominent panel discussion on the future of sport in Europe with an additional focus on this year's FIFA World Cup (23.4.). Interested parties will also find culinary highlights ranging from wine tastings to a barista workshop in the varied supporting program.

"A month of the Charlemagne Prize supporting program means experiencing Europe first-hand in Aachen - in conversation, on stage and in exchange with young people and guests from many countries and a prize winner of international standing. At the same time, we are bringing the incomparable Italian way of life to our city - characterized by conviviality, enjoyment and dolce vita. This creates special moments that bring people together and make it possible to experience what Europe is all about. Young people in particular should feel that Europe is not something abstract, but a living part of their everyday lives - and a source of diverse opportunities," said Dr. Michael Ziemons, Lord Mayor of the City of Aachen, at the announcement of the supporting program in Aachen on 13 April 2026.

The 50 or so events - from exhibitions, talks and readings to workshops, the Charlemagne Youth Prize ceremony and formats for children - will bring topics such as economic strength, peace, security and democracy to the stage, as well as current foreign and security policy conflicts. The occasion is the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize on 14 May in the Coronation Hall of City Hall to Prof. Dr. Mario Draghi, who has shaped the European agenda with the rescue of the euro, the stabilization of Italy in the crisis and his "Draghi Report".

"With Mario Draghi, we are not only honoring one of the defining Europeans of our time, we are also posing the crucial question with the framework programme: How can Europe remain capable of acting in a world in upheaval? In Aachen, citizens, academia, politics and civil society will come together to discuss security, competitiveness and our common European future," says Armin Laschet MdB, Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors.

Event highlights

Security: What Needs to Change
. Herbert Reul, Minister of the Interior for North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of the most prominent voices in the fight against crime, organized crime, and terrorism. His book *Security: What Needs to Change*, published in October 2025, is a powerful wake-up call. On April 19, he will speak at the Landmarken Campus about European responses to global security challenges.

A World in FluxIn
2008, Ambassador Prof. Wolfgang Ischinger assumed the chairmanship of the Munich Security Conference, which under his leadership became a globally recognized platform for foreign and security policy. On April 22, he will speak at Aachen Cathedral about a world in flux, the increasingly strained transatlantic relationship, and the need for a strong Europe.

Is taking part all that matters? – Does sports unite Europe?
Do recreational and competitive sports promote European integration and understanding? In the wake of the Winter Olympics in Italy, ahead of the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, this question is the focus of a sports roundtable discussion featuring IOC member Michael Mronz, Olympic soccer champion Almuth Schult, Frank Busemann, the 1996 silver medalist in the decathlon, three-time Olympic swimming champion Rica Reinisch, and Prof. Jürgen Mittag from the German Sport University. The discussion will be moderated by Carina Dilg, a reporter for ARD’s Sportschau at this year’s Winter Olympics. Date and time: April 23 at the Ludwig Forum.

Flourishing Landscapes 2.0 – A New Agenda for EuropeOn April 27, in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall, a panel
discussion will focus on the vision for the future that the EU should develop to combine economic strength, innovative capacity, and social cohesion. The panel will feature ECB Executive Board member Prof. Isabel Schnabel, former Minister-President Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Bertelsmann Executive Board Member Prof. Daniela Schwarzer, and political consultant Sophie Pornschlegel.

Europe’s Test: Competitiveness in a Changing
WorldProf. Michael Hüther is one of Germany’s most renowned economists. Formerly Secretary General of the German Council of Economic Experts, he has been Director and a member of the Executive Board of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research since 2004. On April 29, he will speak in the Coronation Hall about one of Europe’s greatest tests: its competitiveness in a changing world.

2026 Charlemagne Prize Laureate: Mario DraghiAfter
working at publications including the Berliner Morgenpost, the Handelsblatt, and FOCUS, journalist and author Daniel Goffart joined WirtschaftsWoche in 2020, where he has served as chief European correspondent in Brussels since 2024. On May 4, he will introduce this year’s Charlemagne Prize winner, Prof. Mario Draghi, and his work in European politics to the public at Sparkasse Aachen.

European Charlemagne Youth PrizeTwo
days before Ascension Day, on May 12, the European Charlemagne Youth Prize will be awarded in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall. Young people from all EU member states submitted more than 500 projects. The three best entries from across Europe will be awarded a total of 15,000 euros by the Charlemagne Youth Prize Foundation and the European Parliament.

In Conversation: Maria Kalesnikava, 2022 Charlemagne
Prize LaureateIn March 2026, after more than five years in captivity, Maria Kalesnikava was finally able to accept in person the Charlemagne Prize that had been awarded to her back in 2022. On May 12, two days before the award ceremony for Mario Draghi, she will speak with students at the Waldschule Eschweiler about her commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights.

"Young Europe" Visits the Aachener ZeitungOn
the evening of May 12, the Aachener Zeitung invites young people from the region to a discussion about Europe, the media, and competitiveness from a young person’s perspective. This creative evening for networking, brainstorming, and getting to know one another brings together winners of the Youth Charlemagne Prize, aspiring journalists, and young entrepreneurs—with a special highlight for aspiring astronauts, who can sign up for a full-day virtual flight into space aboard the “SpaceBuzz One.”

The Charlemagne Prize Laureate at RWTH Aachen University: Prof. Mario DraghiLike
his predecessors, the designated laureate will visit RWTH Aachen University on May 13, the day before the award ceremony. In the auditorium of the main university building, Prof. Mario Draghi will engage in dialogue with young people. The afternoon, organized by students from the “Leonardo” and ENHANCE projects, promises to be a special encounter with the 2026 Charlemagne Prize laureate.

A special highlight: Two days of the community festival at
KatschhofAt the open-air community festival “Karlspreis LIVE” at Katschhof, you can experience Europe starting Wednesday, even before the award ceremony: Starting in the afternoon, prominent artists and bands will take turns performing on stage! At the same time, numerous information and interactive booths on European topics invite visitors to explore.

Starting at 6 p.m., DJane Adelaid—a well-known figure in the German music scene—will set a summery festival vibe at the “After Work Aperitivo” before the winners of the Jugendkarlspreis are announced and Prof. Mario Draghi takes the stage for a conversation with AZ Editor-in-Chief Thomas Thelen. The musical highlight of the evening is the open-air performance by Michael Schulte, who, following his appearance on “The Voice of Germany,” placed fourth for Germany at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest and reaches an audience of millions with his songs.

On Ascension Day, the award ceremony in the Coronation Hall of City Hall will be broadcast not only on WDR television but also live in the market square. Afterward, everyone will celebrate together at Katschhof: First, Armin Laschet and Dr. Michael Ziemons, among others, will welcome the award winner and numerous guests of honor on stage. Afterward, visitors can look forward to a varied program featuring live music and activities for the whole family—including a visit from the popular TV character “Maus”—that will continue into the evening. The event will conclude with a raffle for 75+1 Interrail tickets. Among the top musical acts will be the WDR Brass Quintet, which has just returned from a tour of Asia and will perform both modern and classical hits.

Admission is free.

The Charlemagne Prize Online: For
complete information on the supporting program and registration, please visit https://www.karlspreis.de/de/veranstaltungen/rahmenprogramm.

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